Written by Maury Wrubleski

The Pegasus Project, which had its public unveiling at Discovery Ford in Humboldt, had a record breaking moment on January 28. As the gavel swung down on the final bid, the custom-built 1968 Ford Mustang 427 Fastback sold for $1 million at the world-famous Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ.

A media release from STARS, the beneficiary of the project, notes that the project hasn’t officially ended yet. However, the car’s sale marked the climax of a multiyear fundraising initiative led by several Saskatchewan business and community leaders and car enthusiasts, including the winning bidder – Prince Albert  businessman and philanthropist Gord Broda.

Broda said he and his wife Barb were both happy and proud to make a significant contribution to STARS and at the same time bring the beautiful Saskatchewan-built car back home. 

When combined with other sponsorships, donations and fundraisers over the course of its three-year journey, the Pegasus Project has raised nearly $3 million for STARS so far, in support of its Keep the Fight in Flight campaign to renew its fleet of aging helicopters. 

“It’s been an amazing ride, and we’re incredibly proud of how successful this initiative has been. People all across Saskatchewan and Canada have lent outstanding financial support, and we’re not done fundraising yet,” said Pegasus Project co-chair Vaughn Wyant. “We hope that both the total funds raised, plus increased awareness for STARS, brings nothing but positives for their fleet renewal campaign.” 

The Pegasus Project launched in 2019 with a kickoff featuring Saskatchewan-born celebrity ambassadors actor Kim Coates, Stanley Cup winner Brayden Schenn and Premier Scott Moe. The project also gained the support of Stanley Cup winners Tyler Bozak, Jayden Schwartz and Luke Schenn as well as honourary ambassador Kaleb Dahlgren. Dahlgren donated 100 per cent of the proceeds of his No. 1 national best-selling book, Crossroads, and on Jan. 21 asked supporters to match his donation – a challenge he’s extended until the end of February. 

In the last year, the locally-built, one-of-a-kind car was officially revealed to the Saskatchewan public in June at an event in Humboldt, kicking off a months-long road show, hosted by more than 30 Prairie Ford Dealers across Saskatchewan to raise funds and awareness for STARS and local first responders. The Mustang was later featured on the Ford display stage at the international SEMA convention in Las Vegas in November. 

Despite challenges and delays imposed upon the project by COVID-19, the initiative managed to raise both awareness and financial support throughout the pandemic, during a difficult period of uncertainty in the charitable fundraising environment. Led by generous contributions of $500,000 each from Conexus Credit Union and MNP, more than 25 other sponsors and partners joined Pegasus to contribute to STARS’ fleet renewal campaign, and the sale of the car will move the total even closer to the goal. 

“We couldn’t be more excited about the thrilling outcome of the auction, and I offer a heartfelt thank you to Gord and Barb for making a generational investment in our ability to save lives across Saskatchewan for decades to come,” said STARS president and CEO Andrea Robertson. “On behalf of STARS and the patients we serve, I salute the incredible community leaders, celebrity ambassadors and supporters of the Pegasus Project for their unwavering commitment to our mission.”

The public can donate to Kaleb’s challenge in support of the Pegasus Project and STARS’ fleet renewal efforts at: support.stars.ca/MatchingCrossroadsBookProceeds