Bow Island Elks Club uncertain with future funding avenues

Commentator/Courier File Photo by Justin Seward Judy Vanham (middle) of the Bow Island Health Centre Long Term Care Family and Resident council receives a cheque for $2,000 from the Bow Island Elks Club on Oct. 8, 2019 . The council was the latest recipient from of an Elks Club donation. The money will go towards the residents' meals/outings and events not covered by Alberta Health Services. The Elks Club is now uncertain after cancelling their 2021 auction what funding avenue to take moving forward.

By Justin Seward

Commentator/Courier

The Bow Island Elks Club officially cancelled its annual auction and steak supper fundraiser a couple of weeks ago.
“That’s definitely going to put a damper into our donations, not having this fundraiser,” said Shane Lane the Club’s pat president.
The annual fundraiser is normally held in late January and the proceeds are usually distributed to community organizations
“We decided that there is no possible way to ask people for funds, when people are having a hard enough time day-to-day,” said Lane.
“We decided once things open up, maybe we can change our date or something. But more than likely, it’ll be postponed until next year.”
Lane anticipates the community support will be there again once things open up.
“For right now, the present time, I think we’re going to be in the process of giving funds out.I have a feeling once society comes back to normal,” said Lane.
“If there is a normal, we’ll probably end up being a supporter of the community, giving funds back even more than normal. But I don’t know.”
Lane says if the Elks Club has funds available, the board will be giving whatever money that is gathered out.
“I’m sure that if there (are) funds available, that we will be able to give money back,”said Lane.
The Elks Club has not met in a few months due to COVID restrictions and as a result impacts are unknown until the members meet again.
“We haven’t sat down to discuss any numbers yet,” said Brett Wozniak, the Club’s secretary.
“That’s kind of what we’re hoping to do here at our next meeting. I know it’s going to be some sort of an impact for sure. But as for value and that, we’re not 100 per cent sure what it is yet.”
Wozniak says the Elks Club has talked about different funding avenues as a group.
“We haven’t decided really 100 per cent what we’re going to do yet,” said Wozniak.
‘”But there (are) some different avenues that a guy could try and entertain. But we’ll see how we go with this COVID.”
The number of members has remained the same during the pandemic.

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