Fundraising strong at Chamber meeting
April 1, 2024, 10:45 am
Ryan Kiedrowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Several groups reported healthy fundraising efforts in Moosomin and area during the March 26 Chamber of Commerce meeting. Following are some of the presentations by local organizations during the lunch-time regular meeting.
Cenotaph Centennial kicks off fundraising
Brian Beckett of the Cenotaph 100 Committee gave an outline of the June 8 celebration, commemorating one century of the landmark Moosomin cenotaph. Events begin at 10:30 am with a march from the Armoury to the Cenotaph. Included in that procession will be the RCMP, a pipe band, representatives from the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. The local Air Cadets will provide the color party, and Beckett is hoping some of the local service organizations will also join in.
There will be an 11 am service and rededication at the Cenotaph with the Hon. Russel Mirasty, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan in attendance. While an official commitment from 15 Wing Moose Jaw has not quite been made, Beckett has secured approval from the Town of Moosomin for a flyover as part of the ceremonies.
Aside from celebrating the centennial of the cenotaph, an additional plaque will be affixed to update names that were previously missing.
“We’ve been working in conjunction with the Southeast Military Museum of Estevan,” Beckett explained, noting they had a book that listed those who served with Moosomin ties. “When we looked at it, he had an extra 50-some names that we don’t have on our cenotaph.”
A plaque listing those 57 names will be added, unveiled during the celebrations.
“When you come to the Nov. 11 service now the Roll Call is going to take about an hour now,” Beckett said with a smile.
He also brought examples of fundraising items commemorating the historic event including t-shirts (available at the Legion and Kari’s Kloset) and a 3D replica of the cenotaph.
“As for fundraising, the replicas of the cenotaph are probably going to be our big one,” remarked Beckett. He also noted that tickets for the June 8 supper are being presold at $85 each until May 15, after which the price increases to $100.
At the end of his presentation, members of the Moosomin Elks assisted in the cenotaph fundraising effort, handing Beckett a cheque for $1,000
“It was mentioned to us that the Cenotaph Committee was looking for a little help,” said Exalted Ruler Ron Potter. “I think this community needs to be really, really proud of what’s here because I’ve been a lot of places and I’ve never seen one like it.
“To help with the Cenotaph 100 committee, we’re going to donate $1,000,” he continued. “Hopefully this will get things started for you.”
“I’m sure it will,” beamed Beckett. “Thank you!”
First Aid Kit Fundraiser
In a combination of safety and fundraising, the Moosomin Kinettes recently wrapped up their first aid kit fundraiser. A variety of kits were on offer to order, from five-dollar pocket first aid and mini CPR kits to $100 survival kits. The service club had a unique mission with the program.
“What we’re really trying to do is get that safety supplies out there, while also using any of the proceeds earned, to put back into our community,” explained Kinette Kyla Dietrich. “We’re in our final week of our first aid kit fundraiser, as we tried to get safety supplies into homes and vehicles and offices throughout our communities.”
The fundraiser was a convenient way to update safety supplies, as Kristjan Hebert noted, “we bought one for every tractor and every semi that we have.”
Dietrich explained that the Kinettes are a service group committed to meeting the community’s greatest needs. They do this through fundraisers that benefit many organizations in the area.
“Last year, we were able to direct over $18,000 of funds to the needs of Moosomin, Rocanville and Wapella, many of which are represented here today,” she said.
New faces at Housing Authority
The Moosomin Housing Authority has seen some changes lately, with outgoing manager Sheilagh Garrett addressing the Chamber last week. New manager Teddi Taylor has been involved with the MHA over the last little while, officially taking over the manager position on April 1.
The board consists of chair Kevin Weedmark, vice-chair Darcy Rambold, and three new members being appointed: Larry Miskiman, Darrell Light, and Glenn Wilton. “I would like to say welcome to the board members who have also been on the board before,” said Garrett. “Moosomin is growing and we see it in our units—and it’s busy!”
The housing authority maintains 141 units not only in Moosomin, but also Fleming and Wapella.
Ukrainian group update
With a growing Ukrainian community in the area, Roman Chernykh briefly updated the Chamber on a few recent events. He noted there are currently 15 Ukrainian families in Moosomin with two more families en route.
The group has some fundraising and community projects which will be happening through the summer and fall.
A recent sign of how well-received the Ukrainian community has been can be noted from a supper in Wawota, which anticipated around 150 people in attendance, but swelled to 250. From that event, $7,000 was raised, with members of the Moosomin community assisting with the fundraiser.
