OUNGRE — An organization in southeast Saskatchewan is hosting an upcoming fundraiser, and has turned to a retired hockey star to be its guest speaker.
The Long Creek Agricultural Environmental Group Program (AEGP) will bring Theoren Fleury to speak on Nov. 26 at the Oungre Memorial Regional Park hall. Pauline Ziehl Grimsrud with the AEGP said this is the third time they have tried to bring Fleury to Oungre, but their previous efforts were thwarted by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
Ziehl Grimsrud said the AEGP board is comprised of local farmers, and it has been in existence for nearly 20 years. They have traditionally held an event in the fall.
“We’re now a go, so we’re busy selling tickets and promoting. We’re hoping to have people come out and listen to Theo’s story,” said Ziehl Grimsrud.
Mental health will be a big focus of the event. Fleury will discuss his previous experiences as a survivor of childhood sexual assault and how those affected his mental health.
Doors will open at 4 p.m. The event will start at 5 p.m. with a volunteer first responder briefly discussing their experiences. A woman from the Tribune-Oungre area will share her thoughts on mental health and how it’s affected her family.
After a brief social time, supper will be served. Then Fleury will take to the stage.
“We’re looking forward to finally doing this. It’s something our group has thought to be important for a long time and for a lot of people, and people seem more open to speak about mental health now,” said Ziehl Grimsrud. “I think this is a good thing.”
Ziehl Grimsrud noted this is not meant to be a fundraiser. If there is a financial surplus, they have three organizers to donate to which support mental health initiatives.
Typically they will have 80 people in attendance, but they hope to have 400-450 people present this year. Ticket sales have gone well.
Ziehl Grimsrud said the AEGP has also hosted fall events that focus on issues for agriculture producers like weather, cattle feeding systems, grazing livestock, fencing and more.
