Uko Akpanuko
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Daily Herald
Catholic Family Services (CFS) of Prince Albert held the kick off for the 2025 Ride for Refuge on Wednesday with the goal of raising more than $50,000 for its mental health programs.
The family friendly event is scheduled for Oct. 4, but CFS staff and supporters were on hand at the Alfred Jenkins Field House to promote the next month of fundraising.
“It’s just so overwhelming, in particular seeing the support from the community,” said George Marshall, the Executive Director Catholic Family Services.
Catholic Family Services Executive Director George Marshall speaks to attendees during the Ride for Refuge campaign launch on Wednesday. The event takes place on Oct. 4, 2025.
“PA always has a way of rallying behind good causes and it’s great to see it happening again.”
Marshall said the funds raised will go towards several programs, the biggest of which is their counselling services. The organization provides individual counselling, couples counselling, and family counselling.
“We’ll do this at no charge,” Marshall said. “The only way we are able to do that is through donations and through fundraisers like this. Otherwise we won’t be able to provide these services and there are so many people who can’t afford it.”
Marshall said counselling sessions can cost an individual $150/session, which is unaffordable for many people.
Wednesday’s kick off ceremony received a welcome boost with Malcolm Jenkins announced his foundation would match the funds raised by the top three teams, up to $25,000. Jenkins said he was inspired to make the donation because he wanted to help smaller organizations that don’t always get the support they should.
“These are guys that fall between the cracks,” Jenkins said.
“They don’t need a whole lot of money, but they need money to make it happen. It’s a very vital need and unless a group of people like this get together and make it happen and volunteer and do the work, it ain’t going to happen.”
Jenkins said there is a lot of support for fundraising campaigns like the ones supporting the Victoria Hospital. However, he said institutions like CFS can provide services that prevent people from needing further healthcare down the road.
“If we can address these (issues) at this level then we prevent them from becoming a bigger thing that we have more trouble handling,” he said.
The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation already agreed to donate $5,000 in addition to matching the top three team totals.
Jenkins said matching the donations not only helps raise money, it also raises the CFS’ profile.
“I’m a marketing guy,” he said. “If you can give somebody some money, that’s great, but if you can give someone some money and it amplifies … the awareness of their need to other people, you can do way better. That’s what we’ve always tried to do.”
Jenkins added that he’s confident Prince Albert residents will come out to support the campaign.
“PA’s a great town. People step up to the plate any time we ask. They always come to the front line.”
Mayor Bill Powalinsky was on hand for Wednesday’s ceremony where he was named Honourary Chair for the event. He also used the opportunity to encourage members of the public to join the Ride for Refuge 2025 team and donate generously.
Honourary chair Bill Powalinsky (right) puts on a Ride for Refuge t-shirt during the official campaign launch at the Alfred Jenkins Field House on Wednesday.
“It’s really, really critical that the community throw support behind these organizations because it’s a lifeline,” he said. “It’s a line to survival for these organizations. Without the funding we would see serious consequences in the reduction of these services and we would suffer immensely if that happened.
“It doesn’t matter how large or small the donation is, whether it’s $2, $5, a $100 whatever or more. We certainly will not turn away a larger donation, but dig deep. Do what you can. I know that we face some financial challenge one way or another but if you are able to give please give generously. (We) really do appreciate the support the community can put behind this organization.”
Marshall said they were happy to have the mayor on board supporting the event.
“He understands the challenges we are facing. He understands ways to support that and for him to take the leadership role in this event, I think this guarantees us success, so we’re very excited.”
Participants can walk the 2.5 km or 5 km while bikers can ride the 10km or 20km loop. Check-in begins at 10 a.m. on Oct. 4, with opening remarks scheduled for 10:45 a.m. and the send-off at 11 a.m.
The event starts outside the Alfred Jenkins Field House. So far, 16 teams have registered, with a combined 37 participants.
For more information, visit rideforrefuge.org/location/princealbert
Marshall said they raised around $57,000 at last year’s Ride for Refuge in Prince Albert and are hoping to match or beat that total this year.
–with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald
