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Lineups for Free Fry Day. (Supplied by Western Tractor)

Estimated $320,000 raised for HALO Air Ambulance with Free Fry Day

May 30, 2020 | 9:59 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The single-day fundraising goal for HALO was more than tripled.

Western Tractor, McCain Foods, and JEB Transport teamed up for the innovative event Friday, offering free bags of french fries in exchange for donations to the medical rescue service.

The goal was to raise $100,000 in a single day, which, at the time the fundraiser was announced, was deemed to be ambitious.

Organized by Western Tractor, President Steven Dyck was at their locations in Medicine Hat, Burdett, Taber, and Lethbridge, saying he was blown away by the generosity.

At all four stores, vehicles were lined up out of the parking lot before the giveaways even started.

At least 10 different people, groups, or companies each contributed over $10,000.

Dyck told LNN that a group of 27 Hutterite colonies in the area got together and donated more than $60,000.

By the end of the afternoon, he estimates that anywhere between 2,500 to 3,000 vehicles came by to support HALO.

He reiterated the importance of the service and how vital it is in ensuring that people, especially in rural and remote areas, can get the care they need in a timely manner.

While STARS Air Ambulance covers many of the same parts of the province, the fact that they are based out of Calgary means some patients occasionally have to endure longer wait times for their arrival.

HALO CEO Paul Carolan previously stated that their ability to fundraise has been “decimated” by the COVID-19 pandemic, and without stable funding from the various levels of government, events like this are critical in ensuring that they can maintain their operations.

The exact amount of money that was collected has yet to be finalized. We will update this story when that figure becomes available.

Below: Members of Western Tractor talk about Free Fry Day.