Volume XVI-Issue 864
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March 9, 2021
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Vermilion Tim Hortons Donates To KidSport
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Volume XIX-Issue 997 October 10, 2023
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A Life Transformed: Local Outfitter’s Remarkable Gift Brings Hope To Heinsburg Resident
From left Manager Rommel Mandocdoc, KidSport representative Derek Young, and Owner Greg Whitney. Photo Jerianne Bardoel
Lorna Hamilton
a donation on March 5. The donation
from Vermilion and surrounding areas; grant funding up to $300 for children this isn’t possible without them.” He also under the age of 18 to cover registrathanked his staff for all the hard work tion and/or equipment costs. Eligibility is Whitney along with manager Rommel ber 14-20, 2020. The presentation was they put into the campaign. based on the total income and number Lorna Education teacher commented for the first fortunate five to has be chosen. Matt, Outdoor purchase one of and theseWhitney special- of the M a n dHamilton o c d o c p r e s e nte d K i d S p o r t- decided delayedto due to COVID KidSport Vermilion been operatof persons per household,” Reporter minister from Dewberry nomi- time this year said that he can’t believe andfor launch similar aing Vermilion representative Derek Young ized said,wheelchairs “I was thankful all theasupport for more than 15 yearsChurch, and provides Young. On September 8, a hear t warming initiative here.” nated Peterson without his knowledge. the incredible generosity shown by Johnmoment forever changed the life of Dan Community support is at the core of Peterson, a 46-year-old teacher at Heins- son, and that he feels incredibly thankful Peterson, all thanks to the generosity of Neil Johnson’s ethos. He sponsors PBR burg School and a loving father of two, for being the winner of the track chair, “I Neil Johnson, the owner-operator of North events in Marwayne and Paradise Valley, has been battling a degenerative disease just can’t express enough how thankful Star Outfitting and SaskAlta Waterfowl. In sponsors jerseys for the Mar wayne called Spinal Muscular Atrophy that has I am,” said Peterson. “I have been in a a surprising twist during the electrifying hockey team, and supports the Lakeland confined him to a wheelchair for the past wheelchair since I was 14 years old and I Gord Bamford concert, Johnson presented Women’s Hockey team in Lloydminster. 32 years. Unfortunately, his condition have always tried to be as active outdoors Peterson with an all-terrain track wheel- Johnson, with an unwavering commitment will not improve, leaving him with limited as I could possibly be. I have used the chair, transforming his world in an instant. to his community, funded the $14,000 USD lower and upper body strength. chair even with my classes; I have taken Neil Johnson, primarily known for his wheelchair between his two companies. The moment of revelation came during the students hiking since getting it.” guided hunts of various species in the To make the gesture even more remark- the Gord Bamford Concert in Marwayne, Peterson noted that he didn’t have any County of Vermilion, made headlines able, Johnson reached out to the Alberta where Peterson and his family were idea that he was nominated by Matt until when he decided to extend a helping hand Professional Outfitter Society (APOS). graciously provided with four tickets by the he learned he had won the chair. to his local community. Johnson’s main APOS offered to contribute $3,000 Cana- arena board. During an intermission, Neil “I didn’t know anything until Matt acciclient base hails from America, and he dian to the cost of the wheelchair, while Johnson took the stage and announced dentally texted my wife that I had won it is closely associated with the Northwest North Star Outfitting and SaskAlta Water- Peterson as the lucky recipient of the all- so the surprise was given away with the Sportsman’s Club in Spokane, Washing- fowl combined to donate $7,000 each. terrain track wheelchair, presenting it to text,” Peterson said laughing. ton. Over the years, through his clientele, Johnson then partnered with Agland in him that very night. Peterson commented that the chair convention attendance, and charitable Lloydminster to showcase the all-terrain Johnson revealed the motivation has been life-changing for him, and that contributions of hunts, Johnson developed track wheelchair in their showroom. behind this incredible giveaway: “ I he can now go places he hasn’t been a special connection with this club. Prospective applicants were encour- embarked on this initiative because I do able to go in years. “I have clients from the Northwest aged to submit their applications, with the a lot of hunting in the County of Vermil“It ’s been crazy how much it has Sportsman’s Club who have been hunting requirement that they be from Alberta due ion, and it wouldn’t be possible without already changed my life; I went hunting with me for many years. About five years to APOS’s involvement. the generosity of private landowners who already once this fall and got a moose ago, the Northwest Sportsman’s Club initi“To qualify as a prospective recipient, grant us access. I wanted to show my with my son Asher. I never would’ve ated a program to provide all-terrain track applicants needed to be from Alberta, gratitude and emphasize that while Amer- been able to get to do that with my other wheelchairs to deserving individuals. have a lower inc ome, and be avid ican hunters are essential to my busi- chairs. I can now get out and go to an They began accepting applications from outdoorspeople involved in hunting or ness, giving back to the local community area I wouldn’t normally be able to get, so candidates who met their criteria,” John- fishing. I also preferred applicants from is equally important. All the sponsorships for sure it’s absolutely life-changing,” said son explained. “This initiative was inspired the areas where I operate my businesses, from North Star and SaskAlta Waterfowl Peterson. “I actually took the chair up to when one of my employees, Blaine mainly St. Paul County and Vermilion are a direct result of the support from my in-laws this past weekend, and I probAmerican hunters, allowing me to make ably put close to five miles on it going George, received a chair from them in May Country,” Johnson emphasized. After a thorough selection process, Dan initiatives like this possible.” through the bush hunting and enjoying of 2021 or 2022. It got me thinking about Recipient Dan Peterson, who is an the outdoors.” the lack of such programs in Alberta, so I Peterson of Heinsburg emerged as one Reporter was proceeds from the ‘Smile Cookie’ Heinsburg resident Peterson with Greg his son Asher after getting a moose. Vermilion Tim Dan Hortons owner campaign that was held Photos from submitted Septem-