By Kevin Gilby
DAVIDSON—STARS emergency air ambulance service has asked rural communities of Saskatchewan to voluntarily donate an annual amount of two dollars per resident to help cover operational costs.
At its meeting Tuesday, Davidson town council voted to make the voluntary donation of about $2,000 because members feel the community has already used its services enough to justify the sum.
Rural communities have been quick to respond favourably to the request, with the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) having already urged its member communities to contribute resulting in $300,000 towards costs.
STARS has also requested cities to contribute at the same level as rural areas, reminding residents that they are spending leisure time and travel in rural Saskatchewan as well.
The non-profit service obtains approximately half of its $20 million operational costs from the provincial government, with the remainder coming from corporate donations, and fundraising. Money raised through donations is expected to ease the challenge of raising the funds necessary every year though fundraising activities.
In 2013, STARS operated over 800 missions throughout the province, four to Davidson itself, and eight to communities within Davidson EMS’s coverage area. The province currently has the service of two STARS helicopter bases, one in Regina and one in Saskatoon.