STARS’ critical care operations have been given a significant lift, thanks to a recent gift of $1.5 million from Calgary-based oil producer Crescent Point Energy.
In addition, Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance (SMHI) announced a gift of $1 million to support the missions of STARS air ambulance in the province.
The announcement by Crescent Point Energy was made online at the PSAC STARS and Spurs Safe@Home Gala on Feb. 27, and renews a partnership between Crescent Point and STARS that began nearly 10 years ago when the energy corporation was instrumental in establishing the air ambulance’s operations in Saskatchewan. Since that time, Crescent Point has continued to contribute to help STARS grow and extend its impact.
“As the lead and founding donor in launching STARS’ Saskatchewan operations, we are proud to have played a role in bringing helicopter emergency medical services to the province. STARS provides an opportunity to save lives and better serve patients and their families, particularly those in rural and remote areas. They provide helicopter emergency medical services for critically ill and injured patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week across Western Canada,” said Craig Bryska, President and CEO of Crescent Point.
“We believe support for this essential service is critical now more than ever. Through the COVID-19 pandemic we have learned the importance of having access to emergency medical care,” said Bryska.
With this renewed gift, Crescent Point has provided more than $7.3 million in support of the not-for-profit’s operations across Western Canada over the past decade.
“From the very beginning, Crescent Point Energy has aligned with our vision and mission to be there for the next patient who needs us, and we are grateful for the partnership we have built together,” said Andrea Robertson, STARS president and CEO.
“Our supporters ride along with us on every mission, and we’re honoured to have Crescent Point as a generous ally in our fight to save lives across Western Canada,” said Robertson.
The announcement by Municipal Hail was made during the virtual annual convention of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities – the same venue in which the producer-led Saskatchewan-based agricultural insurance association announced its first major donation to STARS nearly four years ago to the day.
“On behalf of Municipal Hail’s clients, we are proud to announce that Municipal Hail has signed another four-year commitment of $1 million to STARS. We all live and work in communities that benefit from the service that STARS provides. Our motivation is to give something back to the residents of Saskatchewan and what better group to do that with than STARS?” said Rodney Schoettler, Municipal Hail Insurance CEO.
“STARS, like Municipal Hail, provides a valuable service that is paramount to the continued success and health of our province,” said Schoettler.
Municipal Hail’s donation will be directed toward the operations of STARS’ bases in Regina and Saskatoon. With this renewed gift, SMHI has now provided $2 million in support of the not-for-profit’s life-saving efforts.
