In a tradition of success and fun, the annual Ride for STARS raised more than $45,000 for STARS Air Ambulance.

The 28th annual Ride, hosted by the Rumsey and District Ag Society took place on Sunday, August 13 at the TL Bar Ranch.

This year they had a great turnout with 146 riders who brought in $35,026 in pledges.

Rob Richmond of the organizing committee was very happy with the results.

“It was a very solid, a very awesome day,” said Richmond.

While the event has had great staying power and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years, he says every year they are rolling the dice on attendance, which is dependent on the weather and other events.

Riders hit the trail at 10 a.m. after a great breakfast put on by the Rumsey Fire department.

This year they broke a record for poker run sales, with 235 hands. They also had a successful silent auction and quilt raffle.
Ember Resources was also supportive with a $2,500 donation. He is grateful for all the support the event has received from riders, volunteers, and donors.

The event also had special visitors including Miss Rodeo Airdrie Sarah Park, as well as STARS Very Important Patient Deena Hill of Linden. STARS saved her life following a car accident on Highway 2 in 2006.

Organizers of the Rumsey Ride took a moment out to honour one of the founders of the annual ride, Ernie Goddard. At the presentation are (l-r) Ernie, Rob Richmond, Jill Broadie, Eleanor Richmond, Ricky Andersen, Mary Newton. Missing is Joanne Richmond.
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They also took some time to honour one their Founders. Ernie Goddard has been with the ride since the beginning, and there is hardly a year that he isn’t in the running for top fundraiser. At 92 he was in the saddle again for the ride this year

Organizers presented a portrait to Ernie done by local artist Lee Cawiezel.

“We had a ceremony to honour Ernie and the hard work he has done over the years, he was one of the founders.” said Richmond.

The Rumsey Ride for STARS kicks off Sunday, August 13, at the TL Bar Ranch near Rumsey and Trochu.

As the longest standing STARS volunteer fundraiser in Alberta, this year has lots to offer.

“Most charity organizations maybe only last five or six years as the shelf life but we’re kind of like the energizer bunny, we just keep going and going,” said Rob Richmond, the spokesperson for the event. “It’s kind of the calling card of all the rides and all the charity fundraisers for STARS.”

The volunteer fundraiser for STARS is considered a ‘huge, huge event’ with the trail rides raking in the most cash.

“The bulk of it is for the trail ride, they have it down at the ranch and Ricky and Jamie Anderson and the Lynch’s and have done it for years now down there. Depending on the year there is usually 100 or so riders.

Tons of other functions are available on the day of the annual Ride for STARS event like a special Ducks and Dogs demonstration from Jill Brodie, a quilting prize raffle, and a silent auction.

“My sister has donated probably 20 quilts over the years for the raffle,” said Richmond. “I mean there is so much stuff going on that it’s absolutely crazy.”

A smorgasbord of food will let no one become hungry as a large lineup of well known local groups aid hunger pangs.

To kick off the day, the Rumsey volunteer fire department puts on a pancake breakfast followed by Gooch’s Gang hotdog lunch from 12 to two p.m. Later on in the afternoon from four until 6 p.m., Mary Newton of the Country Cookers puts on a beef supper.

“I say it’s the best barbecue beef supper around and I challenge anybody to it,” Richmond exclaimed.

A STARS booth will be set up for everyone to check out with lots of neat souvenirs.

“They have people there and they’ll sell their swag and I heard they are going to have lots of new stuff this year,” said Richmond.

Over $40,000 was raised last year alone for STARS with over $700,000 raised in the past 27 years.

“That’s what makes it such a big thing is the volunteers,” Richmond highlighted. “It’s not just organizers, it’s the people that come down and help out; the Rumsey Ag Society, the

Rumsey volunteer fire department, the Alix fire department, and everybody else.”

The trail rides have been dedicated to the Ride for STARS president Ernie Goddard for this year.

“We have all these great folks and volunteers that have helped. Ernie has been the president for years – he still rides and is 80 plus years old,” said Richmond.

Each year as a fun tradition, a contest is made for all the trail riders. Prizes are awarded to both the youngest and the oldest.

“It’s a pretty cool thing,” said Richmond.

If donating money is not an option, time certainly can be the currency. Richmond encourages folks to take part in the event by volunteering their time and energy.

Keep up with upcoming videos created by Richmond. It can be found on their Facebook page here.