Fort Macleod Volleyball Club volunteers Mike Bourassa, Angela Martin, Leanne Neels, Lauren Roelofsen and Janene Van Driesten presented a cheque for $14,888 to Sarah Eccleston, community engagement foundation manager for STARS air ambulance. The money was raised during the STARS co-ed volleyball tournament in April.
Fort Macleod Volleyball Club made a record donation Thursday to STARS Air Ambulance.
The $14,888 cheque represents the proceeds from the co-ed volleyball tournament held in April.
“We’re very grateful to the Fort Macleod Volleyball Club for continuing to bring STARS supporters and allies together for the past 19 years,” STARS community engagement foundation manager Sarah Eccleston said.
“It allows an opportunity for community members to see the impact STARS has, what we do and our operations, so it’s definitely more than just the money.”
A record 48 teams competed in competitive, intermediate, recreation and beer league divisions in the 2023 tournament.
Games were held on portable courts installed in the Fort Macleod and District Sports Centre, as well as at W.A. Day school.
The mandate each year is to fund at least one mission by the air ambulance, at a cost of about $5,400.
In recent years the tournament has raised enough to pay for two flights by the STARS helicopter, and this year came close to funding three missions.
Eccleston said the tournament likely remains so popular because it is fun.
“I’ve never been to a STARS event yet that has that kind of atmosphere,” Eccleston said.
Fort Macleod is successful in attracting a younger demographic than is seen at most STARS events, which also benefits the air ambulance.
“We’re very grateful for that because they get to learn about STARS,” Eccleston said. “We get to bring them on our journey as they support STARS over the years to come.”
Eccleston is impressed with the strong support for the tournament from the Fort Macleod community at large.
Fort Macleod Volleyball Club president Mike Bourassa, who has been involved with the tournament for each of its 19 years, said people are quick to support STARS.
“People are more than willing to help,” Bourassa said with a laugh. “When people see me coming they just get their chequebook out.”
Bourassa said changes made to the tournament format helped make this year’s effort successful.
The tournament, cabaret and beer gardens were all held at the arena and the curling rink, and people enjoyed that convenience.
The F.P. Walshe school grad class has made a commitment to help with set-up and take-down of the portable courts this year and in future, and the school’s volleyball players officiated all but the competitive division games.
A basketball club from Taber took on scorekeeping duties.
The tournament also enjoyed support from organizations such as Citizens On Patrol.
Planning is already starting for the 2024 tournament to mark the 20th anniversary.
“We’ve got some big ideas for next year’s tournament,” Bourassa said.
Ideas include live-streaming tournament games and setting up a mini court for youth to play volleyball games.
“We’re excited for the 20th anniversary,” Eccleston agreed.
Fort Macleod Volleyball Club volunteers Mike Bourassa, Angela Martin, Leanne Neels, Lauren Roelofsen and Janene Van Driesten presented a cheque for $14,888 to Sarah Eccleston, community engagement foundation manager for STARS air ambulance. The money was raised during the STARS co-ed volleyball tournament in April.
