N.B. Elks Lodge club supports fund for children

“That helps a lot of children all across Canada,” Potter said. “Our main focus is speech and hearing. The Medicare system doesn’t cover speech and hearing aids.”

He said children as young as three years old can have a cochlear implant if they need it with the Elks support. He added the lodges can also use the funding for other needs for children in their community.

“If they see a need and we consider it worthy, and the parents are not able to handle it themselves, we’ll certainly be there to help, you bet,” Potter said.

Based in Moosomin, east of Regina, Potter is currently on a cross-country tour meeting with Elks Lodges in Canada. He is serving as the current Elk grand exalted ruler from July 2018 to July 2019.

“The idea is to try and visit as many lodges as possible – coast to coast in Canada, and get the feeling for what’s happening and encourage the members to continue on, be very credible in your communities,” he said.

He said during his visits he received many donations for the national charity fund for children.

During Potter’s visit in North Battleford, he presented local Elk member Louis Cramatte with a special pin to recognize his 50 years of service with the organization.

There are about 200 Elks lodges across Canada with about 13,000 members. Unfortunately, the number of Elks members has been decreasing over the years.

In North Battleford there are currently only about 12 members in the group.

Zonie Krawchuk, of the North Battleford Elks Lodge, wants to encourage more people to join the local Elks service club. Krawchuk has been a member for about 45 years.

Krawchuk said in addition to donating to the national charity the local Elks also raise money each year for local needs and community projects through fundraising.

Potter echoed Krawchuk’s sentiments about the value of Elks in the community.

He said the Elks Lodges service clubs put money back into communities across Canada, and save families money for many activities kids participate in, such as hockey, dance or cadets, to name a few.

“It is a big thing to keep these charitable organizations alive,” Potter said.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

by Angela Brown

N.B. Elks Lodge club supports fund for children

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