Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Battlefords wrapped up a Jet Away Raffle draw Dec. 16 with Valerie Tootoosis-Bull named as the lucky winner of a voucher that allowed her and a guest to fly round trip to any regularly scheduled WestJet destination, thanks to a donation of a 鈥済ift of flight鈥� voucher through the WestJet Cares for Kids program.聽
鈥淚 had forgot entirely that I bought the ticket,鈥� Tootoosis-Bull admitted.聽 鈥淚t was just a miracle!鈥澛�
She had been trying to book flights to attend a family wedding in Trinidad just weeks prior, but with rising ticket prices, she was starting to lose hope they would be able to attend.
Although Tootoosis-Bull and Kakike, her great-granddaughter who came as her guest, were not able to make it for her grandson鈥檚 wedding on Jan. 1, they were able to join Musa, his new wife, and their families Jan. 10.聽
鈥淚t was absolutely amazing! It was just wonderful. I had never been there before.鈥� 聽
Of all the special memories from the trip, Tootoosis-Bull thought the time with family, the food and getting to experience the ocean and scenery were among her favourites.聽
Not being a fan of flying and nervous for the flight, Tootoosis-Bull was happy to report that it was a smooth flight and that she easily forgot about her fears, adding, 鈥淭hey are very good on WestJet. They are very accommodating for everything.鈥澛�
鈥淲e were really excited to be able to offer this opportunity to our community and the surrounding areas, while also raising important funds for our programming, through such a great partner like WestJet Cares for Kids,鈥� said Renee Sperling, program co-ordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Battlefords.聽
鈥淲e were even more excited to hear the story behind the planned trip from Valerie. It really adds an extra special component to opportunities like this.鈥澛�
Sperling shared the news of the win with Tootoosis-Bull the day after the draw was held and by the end of the following week they were able to get Tootoosis-Bull in touch with the customer service team at WestJet and get her flights booked to Port-au-Prince.聽
鈥淸WestJet] were absolutely fantastic to work with and really went the extra mile to ensure that Valerie and Kakike were able to fly out as soon as they could and that they would have a great trip to celebrate with family,鈥� Sperling said.
Fundraisers such as the raffle are important to the organizations like BBBSB because they allow them to continue to offer programs and services to the community. Among some of their other programs, BBBSB matches youth in the community with community members who are interested in providing friendship, support and guidance to them.
Sperling said there are still a number of youth in the Battlefords who are waiting to be matched. 鈥淲e鈥檙e always looking for new volunteers, absolutely. It鈥檚 pretty amazing to see matches meet for the first time and realize how many things they have in common and the adventures and activities they want to try with each other.鈥澛�
The essential trait they look for in volunteers is a willingness to build that connection with a youth and work as a team with program staff and the families to create a support system for the youth.聽
鈥淚t鈥檚 honestly like being a real life big brother or big sister, or an aunt or uncle. You get to go out there and have fun with each other!鈥�
Tootoosis-Bull admitted that she purchased a ticket in large part because of what it would support, adding 鈥渢here鈥檚 so many parents trying so hard and it鈥檚 very stressful and it鈥檚 great when there鈥檚 a safe place for the kids to go. They can do something that affirms who they are and uplifts their spirit, and makes them feel good.鈥� She also pointed to the extra-curricular and recreational activities that organizations like BBBSB help connect youth and families to as being something that motivated her to purchase a ticket.
聽鈥淚 really commend all of the organizations in town that do work with the kids,鈥� she added.
BBBSB is thankful for the support they have had for their organization, as well as many of their community partners, from the community and surrounding area each time they have ran a fundraiser.聽
鈥淲e wouldn鈥檛 be able to be a part of these awesome stories and moments without their support鈥� Sperling noted.
For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Battlefords, please contact Renee Sperling at 306-445-7845 or visit www.bbbsbattlefords.ca. 聽
