MOOSE JAW — Generosity was in full bloom as a local couple presented a $700 cheque — rounded up from the $655 final tally — with the proceeds from their homegrown sunflower fundraiser to the Moose Jaw Humane Society on June 10.
The donation is part of Len and Bernie Mintenko’s yearly effort to support local charities, and their green thumbs not only brightened garden plots around town, but also brought much-needed support for the animals in the shelter’s care.
The Mintenkos have been running the fundraiser since the spring of 2022 with a mind to give back to the community. The decision to focus on growing sunflowers took came about as the concurrent Russian-Ukrainian war was in its early stages and, as the sunflower is the national symbol of Ukraine, the idea quickly took root.
The first charities supported by the couple were focused on supporting Ukrainians affected by the war and included the Ukrainian Help and Exchange program and the Rotary Clubs of Moose Jaw, which were both helping Ukrainian refugees however they could.
For this year’s effort, as their recipient.
The Mintenkos raised most of their funds at the Wakamow Farmer’s Market with their nearly 1,300 flowers starting on May 25 and invited folks to stop by their home to make a purchase if they couldn’t attend the market. Each individually potted sunflower was sold for $2 and 50 cents from each sale was donated to the cause.
The shelter was grateful to receive the donation and its fundraising co-ordinator, Donna Fritzke, said she’s appreciative of all the support she sees from the community.
“It’s just always so wonderful to be able to work with our local (residents) that are just (so) willing to help,” she said earlier.
Fritzke said these proceeds will be used to help support the shelter’s ongoing daily requirements, including life-saving vaccines, spay and neuter operations, and other expenses for the animals.
Len Mintenko said he’s proud to support the humane society in recognition of all the work they do and said both he and his wife feel it plays an important role in the community.
He added that the couple stays motivated by the smile their flowers bring to everyone’s face – including their own. “You (drive around town and) … see that some of our sunflowers are feeding the birds and saving the bees – it’s a good thing.”
To learn more about the Moose Jaw Humane Society and how you can help, visit or call 306-692-1517 during its regular business hours. You can also follow the shelter on Facebook at ‘.’
