Kinsmen and Kinette groups in Saskatchewan are in full fundraising mode ahead of Telemiracle 45.
With the restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been a difficult year to raise funds for clubs as well as the telethon.
Melfort Kinettes Treasurer Nancy Hamilton said the group has a pancake breakfast coming up this Sunday with the help of RJ’s Urban Garden.
“It is a curbside pick-up for being COVID-19 friendly and we are working on some other little projects for Telemiracle too,” Hamilton said.
Pre-orders for breakfast are being accepted until the end of the day on Wednesday by texting or calling 306-281-2843.
President of the Melfort Kinsmen club Aaron Skiftun said the community total last year was around $30,000 so the hope is to get somewhere close to that again.
“It all depends on what happens between now and the telethon because if the restrictions lightened up a bit, I can’t say it’s not unachievable,” Skiftun said.
Typical fundraisers put on by the two clubs include suppers and dances which aren’t possible right now so they have resorted to online 50/50’s and an online hockey drafts.
“The money raised stays right here in Saskatchewan,” Skiftun said. “When you see the items that are purchased for individuals in need, it’s a real morale booster for everybody.”
A generous donation of $2,000 was made to the clubs from Royal Lepage Hodgins Realty as part of their 12 days of giving in December. The donation will be included in the community total presented to Telemiracle 45.
The 20-hour telethon begins this year on Feb. 27 which will be a virtual event.
“It is going to be a different show for sure but as kin we always seem to prevail and come through,” Skiftun said.
The Melfort group will truly miss being able to attend in-person, according to Skiftun.
“This group from Melfort is probably one of the most fun groups you will find, we all like to dress-up and have a good time,” Skiftun said. “About 99 per cent of us stay up all night so we get overtired together and that’s when it gets to be even more fun, we sure put the fun in fundraiser as a club.”
Melfort Kinsmen and Kinettes at Telemiracle 44. (Facebook/Melfort Kinette Club)The slogan for this year is ‘Telemiracle, together we are family.’ The logo for Telemiracle 45 was unveiled at last year’s show which in hindsight is very fitting.
“You would think that it is a pandemic theme they came up with but the president of Telemiracle came up with that before the pandemic hit,” Hamilton said. “It fits what we are living in right now as we will all be sitting at home watching Telemiracle.”
Further details on upcoming fundraisers for Telemiracle can be found on each clubs Facebook page.
Telemiracle 45 logo (Facebook/Telemiracle)Kin Hut
The Kin clubs have started renovations to their recently acquired ‘Kin Hut,’ which is the former chamber of commerce building.
“We started demolition and renovations and hope to turn it into a spot where we can have the community rent it out for birthday parties, family suppers, and stuff like that,” Skiftun said.
Melfort Kinsmen and Kinettes acquired the former Chamber of Commerce building in June. (Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW staff)The clubs will also use it to meet and display their history in the community of Melfort while also generating some revenue.
Renovations have been on pause with not being able to gather to work on it so the goal is to have it completed for the next kin year which begins in September.
Anyone wishing to become a member of Kin can get in touch with a current member.
“If you don’t know a member, someone you know will know a member or can find one for you,” Skiftun said. “It’s a fantastic experience to be part of Kin.”
The Kinsmen meet twice a month with one business meeting on the first Monday of the month and one social meeting a month. The Kinettes meet on the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are currently being held over zoom while numbers for gatherings are restricted.
The Melfort Kinsmen and Kinettes are also currently selling tickets for their trip of the month lottery. Preference is given to previous ticket buyers but there are a limited number of tickets available to new buyers as well.
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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca
On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser
