OLDS — Members of the Olds Elks Lodge celebrated their 100th anniversary as an organization in grand style this past weekend, raising a total of $25,850 for the Mountain View Emergency Shelter Society (MVESS).
Olds Elks Leading Knight Jason McBeath said that total is comprised of $9,925 raised via their online auction which ended on Oct. 6 and $3,000 worth of cash donations.
During the evening, a cheque for $5,000 for the Mountain View Emergency Shelter Society (MVESS), the result of a contribution by FortisAlberta and matched by the Olds Elks Club was unveiled as part of the fundraising effort.
Money raised and donated was matched by the Elks, leading to the above total.
About 140 people attended the 100th anniversary celebration, held Oct. 5 in the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105 in Olds. The Elks Lodge #100 was formally created on Oct.1, 1924.
An emergency shelter, named Kirsten’s place after a Bowden woman killed in a case of domestic violence, is currently being constructed in Olds and expected to be completed in late fall.
McBeath of the Elks helped unveil the cheque along with Dan Leatherdale of FortisAlberta as well as MVESS president Joe Carignan and MVESS fundraising committee director Dale Rosehill.
McBeath also announced a plan by the Olds Elks to support a local couple whose son has been diagnosed with leukemia. A door prize raffle raised $1,635 to help them. The Elks matched that for a total of $3,270.
“They’re in for a fight – they’re in a couple-of-years fight here, and we’re happy to support them,” McBeath said.
“This is what the Olds Elks and the Elks in general really, have done for many years. It’s supporting the youth, families that are having trouble.”
McBeath noted that money was raised via an online auction the service club held in conjunction with Rosehill Auction Service. The auction ended Oct. 6.
During the evening, pins were presented to members for years of service, all the way up to 60 years. Aksel Pedersen received a 50-year pin. Receiving 60-year pins were Ron Urbanowski and Karen Smith.
Exalted ruler Steen Pedersen, the leader of the Olds lodge, said the lodge has undertaken or been a part of many major projects in the community over the past 100 years.
He said the lodge sold a soccer field it had helped create in the 1980s. Money from that sale will be used to help the community in the future. Likely projects helping youth participate in sports.
Steen urged members of the audience to join a service club in order to help the community, noting all such clubs are finding it hard to recruit new members.
Steen said although he’d like people to join the Elks, all local service clubs are great ones, and all have the goal of making Olds and area a better place.
“I have been able to meet people that are not in my social circle otherwise, and they're fantastic. It was such a rich experience,” he said.
Speakers included the national president Grand Exalted Ruler Myles Reid, Alberta Elks Association President Meghan Pollard and Red Deer Mountain View MP Earl Dreeshen.
Each presented plaques or certificates in honour of the local club’s 100th anniversary.
Reid had some advice for the crowd.
“Everybody’s a good, hard-working person here. I can see that from all the good stuff you’re doing,” he said. “But take time to enjoy yourself, have a good time. Enjoy time with friends and family. It’s vitally important, just as much as the work is.”
Pollard said the club not only has a proud past, but has a promising future, too.
“For a century, this lodge has been a symbol of generosity, fellowship and dedication,” she said.
“You’ve supported countless charitable causes such as children with hearing and speech difficulties and have contributed to the numerous projects that have enhanced the quality of life for everyone.
“As we look to the future, I’m confident that the Olds Elks Lodge will continue to be a force. While the world around us may change, the values that drive us: compassion, service and friendship – will remain constant.
“The challenges we face as an organization may evolve, but the spirit and dedication that have sustained you for a hundred years will continue to thrive.”
Dreeshen made similar comments.
“As the representative of our national government, I thank you for the great work that you do, and from a grateful nation, thanks, and we hope that (you) have another 100 years,” he said.
“I just want to say on behalf of the club again, we are honoured and humbled that you have chosen to come and spend this night with us on what we think is a pretty historic occasion: a hundred years,” Pedersen said in closing comments.
“We’re thinking of some of our brother and sister Elks that aren’t here, that have passed recently. I know how excited they were about this anniversary and so I hope we’ve done them proud today.”
