Journey For Sight, which makes its way by snowmobile from Flin Flon south to Brandon over the course of a few days, stopped in Neepawa for a refuel for both riders and machines, and to spread the word about what their trek is all about. The event is an annual snowmobile fundraising event for the Lions Eye Bank of Manitoba, primarily to raise funds to connect families with service animals. While the snowmobiles were being refueled, the riders were treated to a hearty lunch sponsored by the local Lions Club and Dairy Queen.

Rrain Prior – Local Journalism Initiative

The training facility for the animals is out in Oakville, Ontario, and when a family is being paired with a service dog the Lions Club picks up the entire tab for their travel to Ontario, accommodations during their stay, and any fees associated with the animal.

Thanks to a stormy January in Manitoba, riders have been tackling ungroomed trails for parts of the journey which makes it all the more challenging. Roy Globak of the Prairie Mountain Snowdrifters, a local snowmobile club and huge supporter of the ride, said that their club - like many - has also been having trouble keeping the trails groomed because younger riders are enjoying the trails but not joining the clubs that help to make them happen. 

This year Globak presented a $200 donation on behalf of the club and helped them on the next leg of the journey between Neepawa and Carberry.

Also on today’s show, Neepawa-Gladstone Co-op General Manager Brian Hedley updates the community of Gladstone on the status of the upcoming Travel Centre on Highway #16, which is being scaled back due to economic pressures, as he unveils the newly-renamed Co-op Community Centre.

0:00 Intro
2:15 Journey for Sight
14:50 Gladstone Community Hall Renaming
23:14 Manitoba Ag Days