Quietly and humbly, the Gwendale Elks club has made two important donations in the communities of Innisfail and Penhold with a goal of making a positive difference towards improved literacy and access to local programming.
“We assist the community with projects that enhance the community. Our mantra is to make life sweeter, men better and the world happier,” said Ken Morison, a charter member for the past 40 years and Elks past president for Alberta. “Children is a big issue for us. Hearing and speech is also a huge issue for us. We do take on some personal cases where there is little help from the government like speech therapy. Another project that may not be well known is the stuttering treatment centre in Edmonton. That is another one we donated to.”
Morison estimated the Gwendale Elks club has contributed more than $500,000 over the past 38 years to Central Alberta communities, including Innisfail, Penhold, Bowden, Caroline, Spruce View and Sundre.
Before the Christmas holidays, the club made a $2,000 donation to the École John Wilson Elementary School. Those funds from the Gwendale Elks club are going towards the school's goal of ensuring improved literacy with the 425 students from kindergarten to Grade 4.
Last week, the club made an additional $250 donation to the Town of Penhold's Community Services Department to help with the new Fee Assistance Program, which assists Penhold residents with the cost of local programs and events.
Jason Drent, principal at École John Wilson Elementary School, said the Gwendale donation will go a long way to help the school's goal of ensuring that all students are reading and writing at grade level.
“With that said, supplies, books and any resources related to literacy type activities are always needed,” said Dent. “We are always excited when community groups connect to us. Each donation we receive, big or small, all make a huge difference in what happens in the classroom with those positive connections.”
He said these added resources will complement the school's use of the Daily Five program, which his teachers use in the development of high quality literacy practices in their classrooms. The Daily 5 program is designed to help students develop daily habits of reading, writing and working with peers, with a goal towards a lifetime of independent literacy.
“These resources will really help connect with the theory and reality of the implementation. We are really excited about that,” said Drent.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Blaylock, community worker for the Family & Community Support Services office for the Town of Penhold, said Gwendale's $250 donation for the new Fee Assistance Program was appreciated, as there is a growing need in the community. She noted the initiative is entirely dependent on donations.
“It (program) is to bring down barriers for families wanting to participate in local programming and events. It is to make things more accessible for people in need so they connect to the community,” said Blaylock, noting participation would include local recreational programs, like skating and other sporting activities, as well as passes for the annual fall festival. “It is a program that is always needed but it will be accessed more so this year.”
She said promotion for the Fee Assistance Program will be increased this year to attract more users. For more information on the program go to the Town of Penhold website at www.townofpenhold.ca
Ken Morison
"Our mantra is to make life sweeter, men better and the world happier. Children is a big issue for us."
