-But organization's future uncertain as membership numbers drop-
OSOYOOS TIMES-October 1, 2008-
By Diane Zo
Special to the Osoyoos Times
Celebrations of 50 years of service by the Osoyoos Elks Lodge provided a look at good times past, but also raised concerns for the future of Chapter #436.
At the hot dog and pop sale held on Sept. 27 at Osoyoos Town Square on Main Street, historic photos and information were on display in hopes of raising interest and recruiting new members for the charity club.
Charter members Joe Liebel and Jack Rogers recall how they enjoyed helping to start the lodge in September 1958.
Still active in the organization today, Liebel and Rogers see how vital the club has been in helping to support the community.
But both worry how the club will survive the next 50 years as the membership declines.
No younger people are joining and part of the purpose in the anniversary celebration is to raise an awareness of how people can benefit from helping others, Liebel said.
Rogers echoed Liebel's sentiments about how the lodge is becoming a lonelier place.
At one time you saw all the chairs full at a meeting with 70 people in attendance, he said. Not anymore.
Their anxiety is shared by Past District Deputy Leroy Olson who knows the importance of attracting new members with fresh ideas to keep the club vibrant and active in the community.
With negotiations underway to build a new home for the Elks here, Olson said the organization's members want to build a new centre; efficient and modern, but we need ideas on how and what to build.rnChange is inevitable over the years and the Elks have tried to keep pace with the times.
Once revered as a men's only club, they now have opened membership to women, although most women still prefer the sister organization, the Royal Purple.
Even the rituals, regalia and traditions have eased in order to attract new members.
Titles such as exalted ruler have been replaced with president, but what remains the same is the desire to see the community gain from their efforts.
And Osoyoos has certainly benefited through the work of the local Elks.
One of their major projects in the 1970s was the building of the Elks Golden Villa to provide low-cost housing to residents.
The Sagebrush Lodge seniors care facility was built in 1981-1982 largely through the momentum and drive of the Elks who continue to support it with management assistance, finances and volunteer work.
Money for these mammoth projects has come largely through fundraisers such as the weekly bingos and operation of the beer gardens for the annual Cherry Fiesta every July 1.
Between 30 and 50 thousand dollars a year are given back to the community as a result of the dedication of the Elks volunteers.
In 1997 alone they provided $66,000 in charitable donations.
But our main focus is helping children, Olson said.
The local Royalty program and graduate bursary are a few of the youth programs they support.
Over the years they have also hosted visiting hockey teams and financially assisted children who have been in need.
A recent project initiated by President Ken Thibault is the delivery of nearly 2,500 kilograms of fresh apples and pears donated by Lighthouse Orchards and Casa del Mell Orchards to Kamloops.
There they will be distributed to Prince George and MacKenzie to food bank hampers, the Salvation Army, 17 inner school programs and to many other mens' and womens' shelters in the northern communities.
The project is reminiscent of one in the 1960s when the Osoyoos Elks Club would take boxes of fruit to the BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver.
The great part about being a member is how good you feel when you give back, Olson said with a smile. I joined after I retired and I can now give back to the community that has been good to me and I get to meet a great bunch of guys. Socially, the Elks unite all age groups and build friendships while helping others. You get back what you put into it, Liebel said.
If you would like to be a part of their efforts, give the Osoyoos Elks a call at 250-495-6416.
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