CANADIAN ELK ÉLANS CANADIEN - Elks of Canada

LODGES IN THE COMMUNITIES
ST. ALBERT ELKS LODGE NO. 585 … Cruisin’ Clubhouse provides another summer of fun!
It’s a hot August day
and the playground
behind SAM School
is full of children playing,
running, shouting
and laughing. The kids
are here because it is a
Cruisin’ Clubhouse day,
a day where the city’s
mobile recreation van
pulls into a local playground
and runs free
drop in programming for
kids ages five and up.
Today, the program leaders call the kids from the playground
and have them sit in a circle. The kids listen attentively
while the leaders explain the rules to a new
game.
“One of the things that I love about the Cruisin’ Clubhouse
is that the kids lean something new every time,”
says parent, April Silvester, whose kids are regulars
at the program. “I love seeing the kids leave here and
teach a new game or activity to their friends at our park.”
The Cruisin’ Clubhouse program has been a part of the
community for 17 years thanks to the financial support
of the St. Albert Elks Lodge. “We like to support programs
that help kids,” remarks Gary Foley, a St. Albert
Elks member. “It’s an important program in St. Albert
and it is really the centerpiece of our funding initiatives.”
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The funding from the
ELKS enables the City to
provide a program that is
free, accessible and fun
for children throughout
the community. “From a
recreation standpoint, it
is important that children
have access to free programming
than enhances
their lives,” says Margo
Brenneis, Recreation Coordinator
for the City of
St. Albert. “Kids coming to
Cruisin’ Clubhouse can play in a safe, supervised environment
and meet other kids in their neighbourhood. It’s
a great way for the kids to get out and socialize and be
active outside!”
The Cruisin’ Clubhouse operates in parks throughout
the City. These parks are chosen in areas with high
numbers of children but also in safe locations so they
can be easily access by bike or on foot. And kids can
come back week after week without getting bored as the
program leaders come up with new activities, games
and crafts based on a differently weekly theme.
This summer, over 2000 kids came out to the Cruisin’
Clubhouse program! Thanks to the ELKS for their support
to this important summer program for the kids in our
community!
HANLEY ELKS GO FARMING FOR LOCAL CHARITIES
In 2012, the Hanley Elks Lodge No. 153 rented a half section of land from Hanley farmer Erwin Beaumont as a
Charity Fundraiser. It has been a very worthwhile enterprise with the proceeds going to Hanley and District Charities.
This venture would not have been possible without the sponsorship of numerous farm machinery dealers, fuel,
fertilizer, seed suppliers and other crop production specialists in the area. It also was a great opportunity for our Elk
members who are mostly farmers, to participate in a fraternal project. We all look forward to the next three years of
our rental contract.
ELKS SERVING OUR COMMUNITY AND DISTRICT FOR 85 YEARS
1987-2012 History 47