There were a lot of Moose in Ponoka over the weekend, but the public may not have noticed.
Members from the various Loyal Order of the Moose lodges across the province were at their annual convention Sept. 28 to 30 at the Ponoka Moose Lodge to discuss a number of subjects surrounding the operation of the international service club in Alberta.
Jim Hohne, past-president of Loyal Order of the Moose in Alberta, noted the direction the organization is going, but it’s also somewhat of a get-together for both men and women of the Moose.
“People also come from our international head office in Chicago,” said Hohne. “It’s also about meeting old friends made through the Moose life and you learn about the efforts they put into what they do in their own lodges.”
While the lodges look at future planning, they also raise funds that go toward some of the work being done through the head office.
“We also raise funds to support the kids that are taken in, live and are educated right through to Grade 12 graduation at the Mooseheart School,” Hohne said about the 1,000-acre campus near Chicago that has been caring for kids whose families can’t since 1913.
“These kids come from all over the U.S. and sometimes Canada where the students live and are raised, all supported through contributions by members and lodge to the endowment fund that operates the program.”
However, as has been the challenge with many service club organizations, the Moose are looking at new blood injected into the membership.
“It’s about keeping things going and encouraging new and younger members to get involved,” he stated.
“Our lodges do a lot of good in the communities we are in and we support at lot of the organizations that are around. Plus, our facilities are well used for all sorts of events — weddings, receptions, fundraisers, etc. That’s how we are also able to help out.”
One program that most people don’t know about, and one that provides youths some opportunities to develop every day life skills, as well as potential help toward an education, is Moose KidsTalks.
“It’s part of our youth awareness program run in places we have lodges. A lot of people don’t realize that you don’t have to be a member to have a child participate,” Hohne explained.
“Students learn through speaking to younger students on topics, then can earn trips and scholarships along with taking part in an international competition with a chance to compete for about $30,000 in scholarship money.”
He added the Moose — and Women of the Moose — still have regular members coming out, but the hope is that anyone interested in helping out their community will take a look at what they do and decide to come join.
“The women are a big part of the lodges and can use the facilities for free, which helps as they host fundraisers and other events,” Hohne said.
To contact the Ponoka Loyal Order of the Moose, head to the organizations Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ponokamooselodge1633 or call (403) 783-4700.