Ken Madraga is being 'rescued' to help raise money for STARS. (Submitted/Ken Madraga)

By Cam Lee

Raising money for STARS

Melfort man helping to raise funds for STARS

Jul 25, 2025 | 12:34 PM

A Melfort man is a little nervous, but also excited to be part of an upcoming STARS fundraiser.

Ken Madraga, former owner of Melody Motors in Melfort, is taking part in the ‘Rescue on the Prairie’ in which he and other participants will be airlifted to a remote location with the goal of raising funds in order to be ‘rescued’ and earn their flight back home.

Madraga told northeastNOW a representative from STARS reached out to him to see if he wanted to participate. He said Melody Motors was involved in STARS since former Melfort MLA Rod Gantefoer took on the establishment of the air ambulance service as a passion project years ago. Gantefoer was lauded by Madraga for both representing the region in the Legislature and for his work with STARS.

Attending a STARS gala during that time really moved Madraga.

“When you have been to an event like that and you see the many stories from the VIPs, it’s incredibly moving,” Madraga said. “I was more than happy to continue doing this and in fact the tradition has carried on, as a major sponsor on my pack is Ripley Ford.”

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Melody Motors was sold last fall and became Ripley Ford, and Madraga said he’s thrilled that Ripley has continued support of both himself and the STARS program.

The fundraiser will see Madraga and others gather in Saskatoon Sept. 24 at which point they will be flown to the unknown area. Each participants in the jail-and-bail-type fundraiser has a goal of raising $50,000. Madraga said other events that day will outline what STARS does during a call.

Madraga said the STARS team across the west is being dispatched to about 10 calls a day and they have done over 55,000 trips in total.

“It’s absolutely amazing when you think of how many lives have been saved because of this.”

Having helipads in Nipawin and Melfort is also significant in helping to save time for people in need in the area, according to Madraga.

You can support Madraga in his effort to raise money here.

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com