By Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Battlefords Jet Away Raffle Winner: “It was just a miracle!”

Feb 14, 2017 | 7:57 AM

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Battlefords (BBBSB) wrapped up their Jet Away Raffle draw on December 16th 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 “Gift of Flight” voucher through the WestJet Cares for Kids program.

“I had forgot entirely that I bought the ticket,” Tootoosis-Bull admitted. “It was just a miracle!” 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 that 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’s wedding on New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day, they were able to join Musa, his new wife, and their families on January 10th.

“It was absolutely amazing! …It was just wonderful. I had never been there before.” 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. Not being a fan of flying and nervous for the flight, Tootoosis-Bull was very happy to report that it was a smooth flight and that she easily forgot about her fears, adding “They are very good on WestJet. They are very accommodating for everything.”

“We 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” said Renee Sperling, Program Coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Battlefords. “We 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!” 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 of Prince.

“They [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.”

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Fundraisers like 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 that there are still a number of youth in the Battlefords who are waiting to be matched. “We’re always looking for new volunteers, absolutely.

It’s 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.” The biggest thing 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.

“It’s really 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!” Tootoosis-Bull admitted that she purchased a ticket in large part because of what it would support, adding “there’s so many parents trying so hard to just do it [parenting] and it’s very stressful and it’s great when there’s 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.” 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. “I really commend all of the organizations in town that do work with the kids.”

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. “We wouldn’t be able to be a part of these awesome stories and moments without their support” added Sperling. For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Battlefords, please contact Renee Sperling at (306) 445-7845 or visit www.bbbsbattlefords.ca. 

Picture Captions: Picture 1: Valerie (far right) and Kakike (center) with family in Trinidad Picture 2: Valerie (left) and Kakike (right) on the grounds of a resort Picture 3: North Stars Center Connor McIntosh (left), Starsky (center), and BBBSB Program Coordinator Renee Sperling making the draw on December 16, 2016 at the North Stars game. Picture 4: Valerie (left) and Kakike (right) enjoying a meal out while in Trinidad/Tobago