Sioux Lookout – Hudson Snowarama raises over $18,000

Tim Brody - Editor

Snowmobilers from Thunder Bay, Red Lake, and Fort Frances joined local riders on Jan. 31 to “Go Snowmobiling for Easter Seals Kids” in the Sioux Lookout-Hudson Snowarama. 
Riders collected pledges to take part in the annual snowmobile ride, this year raising more than $18,000, the highest amount the event has raised locally since 2015 when more than $20,000 was raised. 
The Sioux Lookout-Huson ride is one of several across the province. Forty-two riders took part in the event locally.
In Sioux Lookout, the annual fundraiser has been taking place for at least 17 years.
Rotarian Arvid Hakala, a past organizer of the event, shared, “The Rotary Club started it before I was even around. I helped organize it for a few years and then Mike and Tracey took over from me.”
A participant in this year’s ride, Hakala said, “It’s always nice to see big money raised for kids with physical disabilities.”
He said of the ride, “It was good. The lakes were pretty good. It was a good ride.”
This year’s ride took Snowarama participants from Sioux Lookout to Hudson, Hudson to Lac Seul Seul First Nation, and back again. 
Highlights of the ride included lunch at Mahkwa Lodge and a stop at High Beach.
Sioux Lookout-Hudson Snowarama co-coordinators Mike Starratt and Tracey Ellek said it was a great day.
“Excellent, weather, the whole bit, everything was excellent,” Starratt shared.
“I would say it was a pretty smooth ride; it was easy going. The trail was in good shape,” he added.
Starratt was thrilled with the turnout for the event and was happy to help raise so much for Easter Seals Kids.
Tracey Ellek shared, “Today was fantastic. The weather cooperated, it was beautiful out, sunshine, good ride, great group.”
A long-time participant in the event, she added, “It was good to see people from out of town, Thunder Bay, Red Lake, Fort Frances as well.”
“I would like to thank all the sponsors and everyone for coming out and we’re hoping to see them again next year,” she commented.
The Sioux Lookout-Hudson Snowarama was sponsored locally by the Ojibway Power Toboggan Association, Bumper to Bumper Sioux-Per Auto Parts, Lakeside Marine Ltd, Lac Seul Floating Lodges, Lac Seul Police Service, Mahkwa Lodge, the Rotary Club of Sioux Lookout, Lost Island Lodge, and Fresh Market Foods.
Top local fundraisers were Allan Trout - $3615, Gina McFee-Bernier - $2750, and Tracey Ellek - $1080.
McFee-Bernier, a regular participant in the event, said, “I just think raising money for the cause is really the big thing for me. This group of people I’ve been riding with for a lot of years. It’s a nice day out together and Lac Seul is beautiful to ride.”
Commenting on her fundraising efforts, she shared, “I have a lot of great friends, but my secret weapon is my mom. My mom starts collecting from all my buddies mid-month.” 
Troy Crawford, a fist-time participant in the event, said, “I really enjoyed it. It’s nice to go for a ride with a big group of people.” 
Galen Cushway and his family attended from Thunder Bay.
“We’ve been doing Snowarama for quite a few years,” he explained. “We knew other places hosted rides, never had a chance to make it, so we thought this year, I’m off, we’ll come visit some friends and family and do the ride as well, so it worked out full circle.”
Commenting on the ride, he said, “Beautiful trails, I loved the view. My favourite part of the ride was that Sioux Mountain view, seeing the city and the lake was gorgeous.”
He concluded, “We love coming to Snowarama because it goes to a good cause. It’s two birds with one stone; you get to help out a good cause and enjoy snowmobiling.”