Going Online: Friendly City Optimist Club Staying Active Moose Jaw Elks Among Service Organizations Feeling COVID Pinch

The Moose Jaw Elks Lodge finds itself in much the same situation service clubs throughout the city and all over Canada are going through. Just how do you meet your fundraising and donation obligations when all the fundraising events you have planned are being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic? And especially when some of your largest fundraisers are in the summer months? The answer at the moment is direct donations, far from an ideal situation but one the group plans to manage as best as possible. Unfortunately, there are a lot of events that have been cancelled so it looks like the organization is taking the summer off, but donations are still being gratefully accepted. The Elks use the money well and it stays in the city, as every year some is given to the Food Bank, some to Hunger in Moose Jaw, some to the Salvation Army Christmas Fun. They also put a tree in the Festival of Trees every year, and do a concession stand at Park Art in Crescent Park… there’s always something that the Elks are working on. That would be the case right now, normally – in addition to Park Art, the Elks have annually run the concession at the massive Show and Shine out at 15 Wing and last year did the same for the revival of the Saskatchewan Air Show, one of their largest local fundraisers to date. All told, the Elks annually donate around $20,000 to local causes, a number the Air Show helped push closer to $30,000 this past year.

Long-time Elks Chris Svab, Ken Mathers and Roy Champion catering a barbecue. Moose Jaw Elks photo. Taking away the summer events will naturally put a dent in those funds, but the Elks are hoping the always charitable spirit of Moose Jaw will help with their call for direct donations, which can be sent to 325 4th Avenue Southwest, Box 315. Supporters can also check out the Elks Help Children Hear provincial lottery, from which proceeds will go back to Lodges throughout Saskatchewan. Of course, this COVID-19 outbreak isn’t going to last forever, and when the time comes that major fundraising is a thing again, volunteers and new members will be more than welcome. The club is currently around 50 members strong, with information on how to join and what they’re about available on their website at moosejawelks. com. Or anyone interested can pop down to Flattop Automotive and have a chat with Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 7 president Sam Morrison. As for folks looking for the support from the service organization, well, they just have to ask.