YORKTON – SaskAbilities celebrated Earth Day on April 22 by hosting a volunteer appreciation BBQ that highlighted the power of community. Exemplifying the theme “Growing Together,” the organization used the event to officially announce a new recycling partnership with SK Recycles.
Aleks Hoeber, Regional Director of SaskAbilities, spoke to the crowd about the dual purpose of the day. “We are here to celebrate the wonderful work we do alongside the City of Yorkton and SK Recycles to create an environmental impact,” Hoeber said. “But we are also celebrating the incredible volunteers who give their time, talent, and compassion to support our programs for individuals experiencing disability.”
Hoeber noted that the city’s transition to blue bin collection has been a resounding success. Since November, the facility has processed over 200 metric tons of residential recycling — a 40 per cent increase over the same period last year. To put that in perspective, Hoeber told the crowd that the weight is equivalent to roughly 33 elephants.
Hoeber told the crowd of as of March 1 they joined forces with SK recycling, which will allow them to continue providing these much-needed services and programs to the community.
Kelly Goyer, Director of Field Services for SK Recycles, encouraged residents to keep up their efforts. “The simple act of taking something from your home and dropping it into your blue cart has a big impact,” Goyer said. “Across the entire community of Yorkton, it adds up.”
Local leaders also attended to show their support. Len Lorenz, attending on behalf of MLA David Chan, praised the inclusive nature of the organization. “The team at SaskAbilities does amazing things because they include their partners, clients, and community all as part of one team,” Lorenz said, adding a heartfelt thank you to the volunteers for their passion and drive.
Mayor Kienle also shared personal reflections on the importance of Earth Day. He reminisced about his own family traditions of cleaning up their neighbourhood and urged the audience to care for their surroundings regardless of where they are. “It starts with people showing up, pitching in, and wanting to leave a place better than they found it,” he said.
Earth Day is a global movement founded in 1970 that now engages over one billion people annually in more than 190 countries through cleanups, education, and climate action, making it the largest secular, participatory environmental movement. In Yorkton, that global mission was felt locally through shared meals, friendly smiles, facility tours, and a renewed commitment to sustainability.
