Allison Oleksyn stands with the 2021 charity steer. (Submitted photo/ Terry Oleksyn)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community support

Charity steer prepares for auction

May 23, 2021 | 12:00 PM

A 14-month-old steer named “Charity” will assist with the purchase of new equipment for the Saskatoon Cancer Centre, ultimately helping families across the province.

The Prince Albert Regional 4-H Show and Sale runs June 13 and June 14, and the funds raised from this year’s charity steer auction will be used to buy a 4-D CT Simulator. The CT simulators provide each patient’s medical team with the images they need to determine the most effective, efficient, and exact radiation treatment plan possible.

Each year, the 4-H clubs rotate which members are responsible for raising the steer, and this year the honour went to the Wild Rose Beef Club. The club’s general leader Brenda Beaulac explained they have two families fighting the cancer fight.

“So it was pretty near and dear to the kids’ hearts,” she said.

The event will be held on the Prince Albert Exhibition grounds. Due to COVID, the event was held online last year but restrictions have eased and Beaulac explained the steer will be sold on June 14 via live Dutch Auction. As it stands now, they can have up to 30 in-person buyers.

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“The rules may change after the 30th. We’re going to have clarification whether we can have 150 people because it is a public outside event,” she said.

Charity will go on the auction block on June 14, at 2p.m. (Submitted/ Terry Oleksyn)

Donations and care

JGL Livestock donated the steer, Proveta is providing the feed, and the Oleksyn family, along with members of the Wild Rose 4-H Beef Club, have been feeding and caring for “Charity” since last October. Allison Oleksyn, 16, has been a 4-H member for seven years and was very proud to help families across Saskatchewan.

“I think the fact we are raising awareness about it, and if we can do anything to help them, makes us feel better,” she said.

Terry Oleksyn, Allison’s dad, explained that while the family does the majority of the care work and basic training, the steer auction really is a group effort.

“When the steer comes in for the fairgrounds, all the kids will participate, washing and showing,” he said.

The Charity steer program started back in 2001 with the local 4-H members. To date over $175,000.00 has been raised for local charities.

Over $11,000 was raised last year by the Prince Albert Show and Sale committee for STARS Air Ambulance.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell