HUMBOLDT — The Prairie Women on Snowmobiles are holding a kick-off banquet in Humboldt, before trekking through the region.
Prairie Women on Snowmobiles is a non-profit organization whose treks are provincial awareness events designed to focus attention on breast cancer and the recreation of snowmobiling – as well as raise funds for Canadian Cancer Society breast cancer research.
To date, the group has raised over $2.5 million.
“Each core rider on the team, as well as the executives, is expected to raise a minimum of $3,000 each to show their support,” said Pat Haeusler, member with the group. “Before you go on this ride, it’s your commitment, your support.”
Haeusler said the greatest challenge on the trips is severe weather.
“When it gets to a certain temperature, we just don’t ride... It’s not safe. There’s a certain temperature where it doesn’t make sense to ride and you’re not promoting snowmobiling,”
She said that at one time that amount was about -28°C. In such an instance, the group will load their snowmobiles onto a trailer and continue going to the pre-planned locations.
“Another thing is visibility. If you come up against a snow storm or something in that realm, those are decisions the executive will have to make.”
The 2020 trek will serve as their 20th anniversary. To mark the occasion, all past riders, pit crew members, and executive will be acknowledged at their kick-off.
“The banquet itself introduces the team, it’s the kick-off for the organization, it’s kind of like a pep rally, a sendoff for the team,” Haeusler said.
“It should really be a great event, there will be a lot of members from other teams showing up.”
Artist Glen Schrimshaw will be in attendance to unveil their 20th anniversary Trail of Hope painting, which will have prints available for purchasing. A portion of every purchase is donated to Prairie Women on Snowmobiles.
The banquet takes place on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 5:30 p.m. in the Bella Vista Inn, and includes a silent auction.
Tickets are available at Humboldt Pharmasave, Bella Vista Inn, or 306-231-7303.
The organizers are looking for donations for the silent auction, and also wish to remind everyone that they can plan to ride with the ladies in support as they leave from Humboldt Sunday morning on their trek.
“Anybody who would like to join Sunday morning to lead the girls to Bruno would be wonderful, it’s a weekend and we always encourage support riders to go with the team,” Haeusler said.
Route
Feb. 1 - Kickoff in Humboldt
Feb. 2 - Dana, Smuts, Yellow Creek, and Star City
Feb. 3 - Ridgedale, Tisdale, Porcupine Plain, and Weekes
Feb. 4 - Perigord, Kelvington, Wadena, and Wynyard
Feb. 5 - Punnichy, Cupar, Craven, and Moose Jaw
Feb. 6 - Marquis, Eyebrow, Elbow, and Outlook
Feb. 7 - Hanley, Allan, St. Denis, and the finale in Warman
