The inaugural Emergency Services Partners Fundraiser Golf Tournament was a successful one, and organizers are hoping for more of the same in 2019.
Last year Parkland Ambulance and the Prince Albert Fire Department partnered together with Northern Lights Casino to raise money for a few local charities and services clubs. The event was so successful they’re doing it again this year.
“We’ve had teams talking to us since the wintertime (asking,) ‘when’s that golf tournament? When’s that golf tournament?’” chuckled Chris Pacey, Parkland Ambulance’s representative of the three-person organizing committee. “We officially announced that we’ll be taking registrations now, and we already have about 12 teams that are already registered, so it’s going to be great.”
The inaugural tournament raised roughly $10,000, and the goal is to improve on that mark in 2019. All funds will go towards Prince Albert’s Kidsports chapter or the River Valley Resilience Retreat.
Pacey said sports are an important way for local youth to remain healthy and develop lifelong skills, and Kidsport fills a vital role in making them accessible for everyone.
“When we talk about giving back to the community, a great place to start is the kids,” Pacey said. “Statistics show that sports help kids grow so much. This year we actually had a Parkland team in the Kidsport fundraiser at the Alfred Jenkins and we thought, ‘what a great organization to support.’”
The River Valley Resilience Retreat is a more personal project for the first Parkland and Fire Department employees. It’s a new facility that provides rest, relaxation and support for firefighters, police officers, EMS, corrections workers, veterans, and healthcare workers.
“The retreat was actually something the fire department had known about before,” Pacey said. “It’s like a rest and relax retreat for all emergency services, not just firefighters and not just EMS…. These responders may need to rest and relax and recover to learn these resilience skills, which support them in both their personal and professional lives. It makes us stronger responders so that we can build a stronger community.”
The 2019 Emergency Service Partners Fundraiser Golf Tournament is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 29 at Cooke Municipal Golf Course. Registration begins at 10 a.m. with a shotgun start at noon. Fees are $140 per golfer or $550 for a team. To register your team, call 306-960-3768 or email chris@parklandambulance.com.
