STARS and Taber Charity Auction celebrate milestone with helicopter logo unveiling 

Times Photo by Meg Noguchi. MILESTONE: Mike Lamacchia, chief operating officer gives his speech during the STARS and Taber Charity Auction logo unveiling event on July 25.

STARS Media 

STARS and the Taber Charity Auction are celebrating a significant milestone in their long-standing partnership: $1,030,008 in cumulative giving to STARS, and the addition of the Charity’s logo on the tail fin of a STARS helicopter – an exclusive space reserved for key community partners.

To mark the occasion, STARS unveiled the Taber Charity Auction logo during a community event at the Taber Health Centre helipad on Friday evening where visitors were able to tour the aircraft. The event recognized the lasting and meaningful partnership between STARS and the Taber Charity Auction.

“At STARS we recognize our greatest allies by placing their names on our helicopters and for 29 years, the Taber Charity Auction has been a trusted ally and a lifeline in critical care,” said Mike Lamacchia, chief operating officer, provincial operations for STARS. “This partnership allows us to connect our world-class crews with residents in southern Alberta when they need it most.”

Last year, STARS carried out 293 missions across southern Alberta, 15 of which were to Taber.

STARS was the first organization to receive support from the Taber Charity Auction, following a mission in which a local resident involved in a motor vehicle accident was flown to hospital by STARS. In response, locals Jack and Debbie French founded the Taber Charity Auction. While the Auction has grown over the years to benefit many local causes, it has maintained its strong commitment to STARS.

“Our roots run deep with STARS and we’re proud to support their mission through the Taber Charity Auction,” said Mitch Holst, co-chair of the Taber Charity Auction. “Knowing that STARS is there for us not only brings comfort in difficult situations but helps make Taber a safer and stronger community.”

Thanks to the charity’s cumulative giving milestones, we are proud to place their logo on a second STARS helicopter. STARS is honoured to fly with the Taber Charity Auction logo – a symbol not only of its impact on critical care, but of a relationship built on trust, community and shared purpose.