Above: Rhonda Harrison of Easter Seals congratulates the top fundraisers at the 13th Snowarama for Easter Seals (L-R) Wayne Muloin, Gary Steele, Harrison, and Louise Myllyah. Left: Easter Seal Ambassador Zachary Pylychuk drew the winning ticket for the Polaris Indy snowmobile, which went to Josh Carr of Thunder Bay. Top: Although the day included a mix of rain and snow, riders enjoyed the Grand Portage trails.
“Lucky 13” was heard a number of times at the 13th Snowarama for Easter Seals in Grand Portage, Feb. 20. All of the 125 Snowarama riders hoped they would be the lucky winner of the grand prize, a new snowmobile. Josh Carr of Thunder Bay was the luckiest rider. Easter Seals Ambassador Zachary Pylychuk drew his ticket and he takes home the new 2016 Polaris Indy.
The major winner was Easter Seals of Ontario, which received $35,500 from rider pledges. This brings the 13-year total to $369,348 to benefit Easter Seals children and families. Easter Seals Senior Development Officer Rhonda Harrison expressed appreciation to the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino, the Grand Portage Reservation Tribal Council and the Grand Portage Trail Riders and all of the volunteers. “We are extremely thankful to this community for its generous support.”
Harrison also thanked the riders who collected pledges. She said because of the support of Snowarama, children are able to have wheelchairs and other equipment replaced as they grow. Because of the funds raised at the event, children are able to attend Easter Seals camp and to have the chance to “just be kids.”
Harrison announced and congratulated the top fundraisers for 2016: Wayne Muloin raised $4,270. Gary Steele raised $1,900 and Louise Myllyah raised $16,000. All three are from Thunder Bay.
MaryAnn Gagnon of the Trail Riders also expressed appreciation to the many volunteers it takes to host a successful event, such as trail manager Bob Vogel, the people who signed the trails, who delivered firewood for the bonfire, Curt and Mary Bowes for chili at the bonfire, the cooks who prepared the post-ride dinner at the Community Center, Snowarama board members and so many others—too many to name, she said.
Gagnon summed up her thoughts with a quote from Helen Keller, “Alone we can do little, but together we can do so much.”
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