The national leader of the Elks of Canada will visit the Olds Elks Hall on Oct. 15, recognizing the contributions of local long-serving members.
Jim McLeod will hand out service pins to long-serving members during the service club's regular meeting night. During his time as grand exalted ruler, McLeod is visiting several lodges across Canada, with Olds being on his itinerary this year.
One Olds member will be receiving his 70-year service pin and two others will each be receiving 60-year service pins, said Don MacKenzie, the local club's president.
“While (McLeod is) here, we're going to have a volunteer-appreciation supper and service pins handed out. We're doing it during his visit so he can hand out the pins and do a little speech on the volunteers,” MacKenzie said.
While McLeod is here, he will pass along news about activities members across Canada will be carrying out.
“He recognizes the members and lets them know that they're doing good (work), to get their spirits up,” MacKenzie said.
McLeod, a member of the Sherwood Park lodge, has been a member of the Elks since 1981. He has held various positions within the organization over the years, including chair of several different provincial committees, and he was Alberta's provincial president in 1996-97. He also served as chairman of the national charities committee for five years.
