On the heels of a busy summer season, staff and volunteers with the Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse are heading into a full and exciting fall season.
"We had a great summer. It flew by far too fast," said Amanda Henderson-Kada, executive director, adding the fourth annual Par Three Golf Extravaganza tournament was held in June. The event supports the clubhouse and the Ponoka Golf Club.
"It was a huge success again this year," she said.
"We are so fortunate to have the support of our community - not only through the fundraising, but the volunteer help is also huge," she added.
"This event takes a lot of work to put together. Each and every year, we have a great committee - just amazing. As well, on the day of the event, we had 72 volunteers. And that's not including the committee members," she said.
"The majority of those 72 individuals have also volunteered for us in years past, too."
The clubhouse, described as a community-based living skills program, will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
Programs are designed for those living with mental health issues or who are recovering from addiction. In the early years, the organization was run under the umbrella of Alberta Hospital Ponoka. By 2005, it had evolved into a not-for-profit organization.
These days, it’s a busy hub of learning, engaging in employment opportunities around town and taking part in all kinds of social activities.
Programming and services are also open to individuals with mental disabilities and delays.
Meanwhile, as mentioned, 2024 is a key year at the clubhouse, marking 30 years of service to the community, said Henderson-Kada.
"We are going to host an open house for the public on Oct. 24 in the afternoon. We are inviting folks from past and present including board members, shareholders, volunteers, and members. But it will also be open to the public because we really want an opportunity for individuals to come in and to meet us," she said.
Meanwhile, as to day-to-day operations, the club also does residential and small business blue box and cardboard pickup, which Henderson-Kada would like to see grow. For residential, it’s a weekly pick-up, and it’s $47.25 for three months, she said, adding it’s a key way to provide a work opportunity to club members.
"I'd really like to highlight this program. It's very beneficial - it's not only a service we provide our community, but this is a service we provide in order to give employment opportunities to individuals, she said.
"I would really like to see our blue box (program) increase," she said, adding that customers will see a benefit on their town bill, too.
"We have a small number of individuals that we employ here, but the impact it has on them socially, productively, financially and purposefully, is key," she said.
Hendersen-Kada has been with the clubhouse for 13 years and continues to find her work there extremely fulfilling.
"Day to day, it's about the individuals that we serve," she said.
"It's us coming together and sharing our regular days, including seeing someone reach a goal or a milestone within their own personal lives. But yes, number one for me are the individuals," she said.
"Whether it's a hard day or an easy one, I'm here for them."
For more about volunteering opportunities or the organization in general, head to www.ponokarisingsun.ca or find them on Facebook.
