Look up. Look, way up. In the Border City, all eyes are on Ean Bull and Louis Stang as they live atop a scaffolding tower in a homemade igloo behind city hall to raise money for Telemiracle 50.
Read more: Lloydminster duo take fundraiser to new heights for Telemiracle
Coined Geeks on the Peak, the two Lloydminster Kinsmen Club members ascended the tower at 5 p.m. Sunday and aren’t coming down until tomorrow evening.
The local Kinsmen Club’s annual Telemiracle Steak Night will cap the event on Saturday, with the igloo — dubbed The Penguin House — being auctioned off to further fundraising efforts.
If you haven’t checked it out, the entire event is being livestreamed on Dynasoft Communications’ Facebook page, and the pair have been interacting with comments and donors throughout.
Their first night on the peak was a cold one. Winds were gusting around 20 km/h upon ascent, and the wind chill had it feeling like -16 C. Then the snow came, which was beautifully captured by local photographer and city councillor Jason Whiting. Despite the cold and blowing snow, Bull and Stang held their heads high and made the most of what was probably an uncomfortable situation.
They’re up there for a great cause and, after interviewing the pair a week before the event started, it’s safe to say it’s one they hold close to their hearts.
The fundraiser is a reincarnation of Bull’s original Geek on the Peak, which he organized 20 years ago and raised $20,000 in the process. This year’s fundraiser beat the original event’s totals on Day 1, raising $22,000 in the first five hours.
In my opinion, that’s incredible. I’ve been living in Lloydminster since 2014, and this community never ceases to amaze me when it comes to fundraising. Border City residents never shy away from opening their wallets to help a community fundraiser, especially when it comes to Telemiracle. The annual steak night fundraiser is a community favourite, and last year’s event raised almost $50,000 toward Telemiracle’s overall goal.
To donate to the campaign, call 780-808-8761 or visit geekonthepeak.com.
Telemiracle is an annual 20-hour event that supports Saskatchewan residents requiring specialized medical and mobility equipment, as well as assistance with medical travel. Last year’s event raised $5.7 million and, since its inception in 1977, the event has raised more than $171 million for the Kinsmen Foundation.
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