Lloydminster’s annual Telemiracle Steak Night drew hundreds of supporters Saturday evening, raising funds for Telemiracle 50, which supports Saskatchewan residents with medical needs.
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About 550 people attended the event, organized by the Kinsmen Club of Lloydminster, according to club president Wayne Nielsen.
“It’s overwhelming. It’s been great so far and the support we’re getting has been amazing,” Nielsen said. “It’s like this every year, but it always surprises me a bit to see so many members of the community come out for this event.”
Organizers prepared 570 steaks for the fundraiser, all of which were served.
Funds raised from the event will support Telemiracle 50, which runs from 5 p.m. Feb. 28 to March 1 at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon. Telemiracle provides funding across Saskatchewan for medical equipment and support services.
“Funds from Telemiracle go all over Saskatchewan and will support people who apply for grants for wheelchairs, help with doctor’s appointments, travel expenses for medical appointments — pretty much anything,” Nielsen said.
He said the impact is also felt locally.
“Locally, we’ve seen wheelchairs, scooters and all sorts of benefits that help the community,” he said. “As members, it’s incredible. That’s why we do it. We don’t do it for anything else but to help people out.”
The total amount raised at the Lloydminster steak night will not be known until it is announced during Telemiracle 50. Nielsen said seeing the final number revealed on screen is a memorable moment.
“It’s unbelievable, really,” he said. “We don’t honestly know until it happens. We have an idea, but when it comes out, it’s a big surprise. It’s a beautiful experience.”
Nielsen has been a member of the Kinsmen Club of Lloydminster for 15 years and has attended Telemiracle in Saskatoon about 10 times.
He thanked the community for its continued support.
“We appreciate it so much,” he said. “It goes to all the members and all the people involved, and we hope everything comes back to the kids.”
The true meaning of the night took centre stage when special guests Leira and Heineken Brigola helped attendees understand how donations help local families.
The Brigolas moved to Lloydminster from Toronto in July 2024. The couple, who had two children at the time, said they planned to expand their family.
“We wanted to plant roots and raise our children in a community where we know our neighbours,” said Heineken.
“I’ve always wanted a family, and we kept trying to have another kid. We (knew) we were ready to be a family of five, but I had a miscarriage in 2023,” said Leira. “When we found out in an emergency checkup I was carrying twins, we really can’t explain the emotions we had. We were jumping to a family of six.”
Having lost a child once before, Leira explained each time something didn’t feel right, they would make the trip to the emergency room.
“On my 20th anatomy scan, the twins were being stubborn and not showing the stenographer all their parts,” she said. “We were referred to a specialist in Saskatoon and were told there might be a shadow in their hearts. The major concern of the scan is the twins might have cleft lips.”
Continued necessary trips to Saskatoon forced Heineken to miss work and pick up extra shifts when possible. It also forced the couple’s two children to miss school to spend hours on the road and in hospital.
“My kids were missing school, our finances were drained and I was hoping for a miracle to survive,” said Heineken. “The doctors were having a hard time finding the baby’s heartbeats and my wife kept on saying to choose the babies, no matter what.”
The twins were born prematurely and required significant followup care, which is where funding for the Kinsmen club greatly helped. Heineken’s prayers for a miracle had been answered.
“They didn’t just provide financial aid, they provided peace of mind and cleared a path so we could focus 100 per cent on our children,” said Leira. “We are forever grateful for a foundation that understands care happens inside and outside the doctor’s office.
“That support provided an incredible sense of security for the road ahead.”
More than 500 attendees hung on every word of the Brigolas’ speech before rising for a standing ovation.
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