The STARS Critical Care on the Air Radiothon is on now, and the local base is calling on Grande Prairie to show their support.
More than 50 radio stations across Western Canada, including 2Day FM, are participating in the radiothon today, celebrating 40 years of STARS service.
Officials say, on average, a STARS base requires around $12.2 million to stay operational each year. Grande Prairie STARS Community Engagement Officer Rhonda Shangraw says the air ambulance is almost entirely funded by the community, so participation is critical during the fundraiser.
“STARS is always community funded- we rely heavily on our donors,” she says. “We are limited in the amount of funding we get from the government, but that allows us to grow STARS in the way that we want to and serve the communities we want to, while we don’t have any government stipulations on it.”
Six bases, across three provinces- Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, will see direct support from community participation, and Shangraw is calling on Grande Prairie to beat out the competition.
“Any businesses, private individuals that want to come out and do challenges, bring em’ on,” she says. “Grande Prairie has always been a very very good supporter of STARS, and we thank all of our donors, but let’s step that up a notch, and challenge Manitoba and Saskatchewan and see which province can raise the most.”
Donations are being accepted in-person at Prairie Mall or online on the campaign’s website.
