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THE FREE PRESS Thursday, January 10, 2013
www.thefreepress.ca
Sparwood’s very own Miracle Maker By Nicole Liebermann Free Press Staff
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very month, Ron Saad makes a donation of $18 to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation. For 17 years, he’s been a part of the hospital’s Miracle Maker program, giving monthly to a cause that’s close to his heart. “It’s really an honour to support the Alberta Children’s Hospital,” commented Ron. “I really wish I could give more.” Originally inspired by the care his friend’s daughter received while battling Cystic Fibrosis at the Children’s Hospital, Ron knew he wanted to give something in return to the place that was so good to her. “I just thought the world of these people,” he said. “Since that time, my
grandson has needed to be cared for at that hospital too, and everyone has just been so wonderful.” Ron remembers hearing on the radio that just a $10 a month contribution could make a big difference. He said, “I phoned up and I donated $18, and I just kept donating.” Supporting the Alberta Children’s Hospital isn’t the only way the longtime Sparwood resident is helping others out. He also donates regularly to the B.C. Children’s Hospital, and has spent many years contributing to the community of Sparwood. Originally born in Michel, Ron moved to Sparwood when he was just 10 years old. He worked for the District of Sparwood for 35 years and was the cofounder of the Sparwood Youth Centre. “We started the Youth Centre a few years back and we wanted the youth to
take it over,” said Ron. “We let the kids run it themselves and we did very, very well for quite a while.” Now, after working for the District, Ron is serving his first term as a Sparwood Councillor. “From all the years I spent working on the other side, it’s not what I thought it was,” he remarked. “It’s a learning experience and I will definitely run again. I’m really enjoying it.” Just as Ron plans to continue doing everything he can for Sparwood, he plans to continue donating to the Alberta Children’s Hospital. “There were a couple times when I first retired that I noticed the $18, but other than that, you don’t really notice it. It’s not a whole lot of money in a month,” he said. “I will keep donating as long as I’m alive.”
Sparwood resident Ron Saad donates to the Alberta Children’s Hospital every month. Submitted photo
The Fernie Snowmobile Association's new Rolling Hills cabin grand opening was held on December 29, 2012. With great snow conditions and reasonable termperatures over 100 snowmobilers came through the cabin and enjoyed the complimentary burger and hot dog bbq on the deck - which overlooks the Leach Ridge. The new cabin is 16 km from the Fernie Rifle Range up the groomed trail on Coal Creek Road and is open to all snowmobilers and back country skiers/boarders.
The FSA would like to thank the following contributors: Fernie Snowmobile Association Emergency Shelter and the Doug Dean Trail Natural Resources Canada Ktunaxa Nation InterMountain Warehousing (Alex Millar) Fernie Home Hardware (Walter and Ryan Ingram) Big Dog Lumber Company (Paul Carriere) Selkirk Lumber Company McDonald Ranch and Lumber (Glenn McDonald) Scarpelli Trucking (Michael Scarpelli) DVS Drywall Contracting (Doug Sieben) MotorFist Snowmobile Gear and Clothing Ghostrider Motorsports (Paul Kramer) Elk Valley Ventures (Doug Dean) Valley Comfort Systems (ie Blaze King Industries) Cook’s Electrical Service (2006) Ltd. (Andrew Buchan) Wire It Mr. R’s Ltd. (Ryan and Tyler Tanner) SuperClamps.com (Don and Randall Bowman) The Fire Place Store - Cranbrook Stephenson Paint and Performance City of Fernie Tembec Industries Inc. Fiorentino Bros Contracting Ltd. Hurley Contracting Ltd. (Todd Hurley) Teck Coal Ltd.
People who volunteered time and expertise on the Rolling Hills Cabin: Bob Arnott, Jessica Brown, Dan Clarke, Doug and Bev Dean,Shawn Dinner, Rob Dixon, Monty Heather, Darcy Hutchinson, Ryan Ingram, Geoff & Eric Keyser, Paul Kramer, Frank Leskosek, Kendall MacDonald, Braeder McDonald, Glenn McDonald, Lachlan McDonald, Rick Mercier, Alex Millar, Cory Sabean, Michael Scarpelli, Doug Sieben, Brian Stamler, Mark Stamler, Tyler Stamler, Wayne Stamler, Jason Szyaulski, Jim Thorner, Cody Vanghel, Joe Warshawsky, Jason Warshawsky, Randy Zahn