BONNYVILLE – In honour of the many good deeds of a well-known business owner and community man, a committee of five non-profits formed to host the first ever Victor Ringuette Sportsman Dinner, held on Oct. 15 at Bonnyville’s C2 Centre.
Neil Langride, Jr. A Pontiacs associate general manager, and a councillor with the Town of Bonnyville, said Ringuette was “one of the most generous men in our community – in the history of our community.”
“We really wanted to come together, and it was just natural for us to name it in his honour,” said Langridge, adding, the idea of the event came about after Ringuette passed away in November of 2021. According to Langridge, the first annual event was made possible with collaboration between the Bonnyville & District SPCA, KidSport Bonnyville, the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs, Bonnyville Sr. Pontiacs, and Bonnyville Minor Hockey Association.
All the proceeds from the event will all go back to “help the sustainability” of the five non-profit organizations. Organizers hope the event becomes an annual outing that the community gets behind.
The Saturday night dinner was attended by various members of the community, including members of the business community, supporters of the five non-profits, and “people that wanted to join us in honouring Victor Ringuette,” according to Langridge.
Victoria Bird, member of KidSport Bonnyville’s board of directors, said, “we’re hoping that all of us coming together in collaboration can continue [Victor Ringuette’s] legacy – through that inspiration that he has given us in our community.”
She also thanked all donors and the Bonnyville and Lakeland communities for coming together to support the event, in addition to their continued support for the many fundraisers that happen in the community.
“It really shows the community spirit and the support toward our not-for-profits,” said Bird. “Because without that support, we would be nowhere, and we wouldn’t be able to exist.”
KidSport Bonnyville provides grants to help cover registration fees for youths aged 18 and under “so that all kids can play,” according to Bird.
Players from the Bonnyville Pontiacs Jr. A team were also present at the dinner, including Josh Simpson and Liam Cavan, who paid their respects to Ringuette.
“It’s nice to see a lot of people come together to support the cause in the community in memory of Victor Ringuette, who was a big philanthropist for the community of Bonnyville and the neighbouring communities as well,” said Simpson.
Cavan nodded in agreement, finding the gathering at the event an important aspect of the community coming together in support, solidarity, and to “have a good time.”
Many activities were set up, including interactive games, a silent and live auction, and a live band.
Darren McCarty, a four-time Stanley Cup champion, also gave a speech during the event.
Langridge said the inaugural event had a great turnout and 43 tables were sold.
According to Langridge, Ringuette was a man known for giving back to the community, building relationships and helping non-profit organizations and many others in the Lakeland community.
Ringuette passed away on Nov. 8, 2021, at the age of 83. Ringuette was also known in the business community as one of the founders of B&R Eckel’s Transport.
A final amount raised was not yet known as of original publication of this story.
