More than $37,000 was raised to help Gordon Trueman travel to Toronto for surgery, part of his recovery from

complications after a 2011 riding accident . Gordon Trueman (seated) and wife Tammy Stewart (standing behind

Marc Bernier (kneeling). Back row from left to right – Marcel Perrin, Doug Byrne, Frank Stewart, Dave Slater, Guy

St. Hilaire, Robert Bannerman. Missing – Caroline St. Hilaire, Darrell Hanson

With the overwhelming generosity and support from the Prince Albert area and all over Canada,

the Gordon Trueman Benefit committee on February 13, 2012 was able to present Gordon

Trueman with an interim check in the amount of $37,000.00. According to Kim Bernier, trust

account book-keeper, a final check for the remaining monies raised will be given to Gord in one

month’s time and then the trust account will be closed. The monies raised will help to pay for

the expenses for Gordon’s upcoming trip to Toronto for a much needed surgery and for his postsurgery

recovery.

The funds were raised through private donations and a month long campaign by the Benefit

Committee, culminating in a supper and dance held on February 4, 2012 at the MacDowall hall.

A crowd of over 350 people gathered to show their support for Gordon and to add their

contributions through auction purchases and raffles. Some traveled hundreds of miles to attend

this event and to get the chance to visit and “catch up” with Gordon and other family and friends

while at the same time being able to help Gordon.

For those that were in a dancing mood, a pick up band made up of Robert Bannerman, Danny

Shipire, Al Bibchinski, Wilf Savitsky, Murray Middlebrook, John Quinn, Elmer Lamberty,

Conrad Amyotte, Rick Martin, Terry Fehr and Evan Swalm started playing shortly after the

doors opened and continued to fill the floor with their renditions of modern and old-time classics

throughout the evening. Vocalists Audrey Newburg and Caroline Smith and the dueling fiddling

brothers, Ryland and Braden Bernier, added to the evenings festivities. The supper organized by

Diane Perrin and prepared by her and her crew was well received by the hungry masses and

ensured that they were in a generous mood for the live auction which followed.

The live auction was comprised of over 30 donated items ranging from artwork, horses and horse

related items to wedding photo packages. The auctioneer and MC for the evening, Doug Byrne,

ensured that every item was sold to the highest bidder, which resulted in the live auction raising

over $9,000. Additionally, over 130 various donated silent auction items were auctioned

throughout the evening.

In disbelief of the outpouring of generosity and overcome by the emotion of the evening, Gordon

and his wife, Tammy Stewart, got up to simply say a heartfelt “Thank You”. The obviously

emotional crowd immediately stood and gave them a round of applause as if to say in one voice,

“We Love you, we are glad you are still with us and we are so glad we can help someone who

has helped so many”.

Gordon T. Trueman has always been involved in horses in one way or the other, whether it be

working on ranches, managing a riding arena, 4-H, roping, penning, trail riding or just riding for

the fun of it. Besides his love for a good horse, he also has a tremendous fondness for his heavy

horses, using them for chores, cutting and hauling hay, or giving sleigh rides. He has made

many a child’s day by giving a Christmas sleigh ride followed by a good snuggle from his team

of horses. He has always had a love for horses and the joy that they bring to people of all ages.

Gordon is an Equine Canada Level 1 coach and is involved with the Saskatchewan Reining

Horse association and Saskatchewan Horse Federation. Over the last 15 years, he has been

instrumental in teaching and coaching youth within the Prince Albert area. He has donated

countless hours with various 4-H clubs assisting youth to improve their riding abilities while at

the same time establishing confidence and building their self-esteem.

On June 4, 2011 while attending a clinic from his life-long mentor, Vern Sapergia, Gordon was

involved in a horse related accident which landed him in hospital to repair a broken pelvis.

While in hospital Gordon developed some life-threatening complications that resulted in more

than 28 surgeries to save his life. But Gordon is strong and came through each surgery and was

eventually transferred home to Prince Albert, well ahead of any doctor’s prediction. Gordon is

now at home and, although he is slowly recovering, he will need more surgeries that can not be

performed anywhere near home. So sometime in early 2012 Gordon will go to Toronto to

complete, what we hope will be, the last surgeries.

The Benefit Committee would like to send a sincere and heartfelt thank you to all those that

attended the benefit, bought tickets, sent money, donated items for the silent and live auctions

and/or volunteer their time. It was “nice to see everyone come together and help someone who

has probably helped them in some way at one time or another,” stated Vanessa Senko, Prince

Albert resident and benefit attendee.