The exalted ruler of the Westlock Elks was busy handing out cheques to worthy organizations in the community at the Elks weekly bingo Nov. 5.
Hugh Thomson handed over $2,000 each to eight worthy organizations, on behalf of the Elks, in a presentation just before bingo started.
“It feels pretty good,” said Thomson.
“If they’re willing to work, we’re willing to give them some money.”
Many of the groups make themselves available to help with the weekly bingo and were rewarded with donations, he said.
Groups had previously given short presentations to Elks members on what they are doing and why they needed the money.
The Westlock Bandits hockey team, the Pembina Ringette Association, Tawatinaw Valley and the Tawatinaw Freeriders were each honoured to receive a $2,000 contribution from the Elks.
Westlock Bandit goaltender Beth Goller said the club was going to use the donation to help pay for ice time for practice and games at the Rotary Spirit Centre.
The team has been playing for 25 years and has found it increasingly difficult to not only find players, but pay for ice time.
“We’ve been playing in Westlock for a long time and the Elks were wonderful to help us out,” said Goller.
Ringette association president Janice Tymkow said their share of the donations will go towards equipment and running the association.
As the association has grown over the years so has the cost of providing the sport to the area.
Six years ago the association started with 13 players and has grown to 76.
“It is definitely appreciated to get that support from the community to help get those kids on the ice,” she said.
“It’s been nice to work with the Elks off and on and I think we have a good relationship with them.”
The Westlock Community Gardens, Westlock WECAN, Pembina North Community School and R.F. Staples’ Life Skills program each received $2,000 of their own.
The Elks funds will go towards Westlock WECAN’s continued mission of helping provide food baskets to those who need them. The program hires a volunteer driver to travel to Edmonton to pick up food every month.
“This will help with the fuel costs because not only are they using their vehicle and their time, they’re using fuel. This will help encourage people to volunteer to be a driver,” said WECAN’s Pamela Kawulych.
The society will also be able to provide sample baskets for promotional purposes at various events around town to make people aware of what exactly WECAN does and what is available through the society.
Pembina North Community School principal Raime Drake said the Elks donation will help send the Grade 4 class on an overnight field trip to Drumheller next year. It will also help with the Grade 8-9 overnight trip to Jasper.
“We really appreciate the opportunity to work and we see the work that they do for so many community organizations. We just appreciate partnering with them and our kids benefit from that,” said Drake.
