2022 marks the 25th anniversary of the Little Valley Jamboree, a small local festival with a big heart. Co-founded by Evelyn Lewandoski and her late husband Rod, a well-known local musician, the jamboree raises money for the families of sick children in the area and throughout the province.

The event includes two full days of musical performances as well as games and activities for the children. Originally the musical acts were Rod and his friends performing in the village of Polonia, but the event grew over the years as those friends returned and brought friends of their own, with all musicians donating their time and talents. The jamboree now takes place in Ericson, and a battalion of other volunteers help to make the event a success.

Each year a recipient or recipients are chosen, and proceeds from the festival are donated directly to their families to help with their care or other needs. This year the festival has selected three recipients, two from the Minnedosa area and one from Boissevain. The festival committee also supports children outside of the designated festival recipients, including items such as summer camp fees or emergency situations, and remains in the lives of their previous recipients ensuring each receives a gift from them at graduation. While Covid might have stopped the festival itself for a couple of years, the committee continued to make contributions to children and families in need.

Over the past 25 years, says committee Treasurer Laurie Kohinski, they’ve been able to donate over $450,000 to their recipients, and hope to raise about $10,000 for each recipient at this year’s event.

In honour of the 25th anniversary, the festival will be airing update videos from many previous recipients throughout the festival between the musical acts, to celebrate the lives that have been changed by the Little Valley Jamboree. Anyone wanting to make a contribution, or would like to pass along the name of a family in need, can contact the organising committee directly.