Miles Johnson president of the Elks Lodge says fundraising has taken a big hit due to COVID-19 and restrictions on big events like the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede (Derek Brade/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Service clubs see financial pinch as fundraising dwindles

Jul 27, 2021 | 5:25 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB– It’s one of the biggest events for service clubs to raise money, but for the second year in a row, fundraising at the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede have grinded to a halt.

” Well during stampede our biggest activity is running the crown and anchor booth. and we have not been able to do that for the past two stampedes because it’s been cancelled,” said Miles Johnson President of the Elks lodge.

Johnson estimates the Elks Lodge has taken at $25,000 to $30,000 hit in fundraising revenue. Money raised from the Elks Lodge goes to support a number of community initiatives like the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank, the and Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society.

It’s a similar story at the Lions Club. Normally this time of year, Kim Simpson of the Lions Club would be busy prepping onions for their food booth. But this year that has not happened.

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“ It’s really had an impact on us. The money that we raise goes right back into the community. We have not been able to run a stampede last year. We have not been able to run one this year which means less money into our community,” Simpson said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also changed the way service groups can serve due to gathering restrictions, and numbers are also on the decline.

“With regards to the Elks. We have in Alberta lost two chapters, and it could be directly related to COVID-19,” Johnson said.

Many service clubs have a long-standing history in the community. The Elks Lodge was established as far back as World War 1. The organization folded in Medicine Hat before launching again in 1956 .

The Lions Club has been in existence for over 100 years. In that time they helped bring a ball diamond to the Family Leisure Centre, a walking track to the YMCA and they established Lions Park.

“Service clubs fill the gaps. There are a lot of gaps in the city. There are a lot of issues in our community, and we try to figure out what the gaps are and figure out a way to meet it. ” said Simpson.

A few years ago, the Lions Club identified a need to help keep kids in sports like Hockey and Ringette. They started collected gently used equipment to ensure affording the equipment isn’t a barrier.

“ The first year we did it, was absolutely wonderful. We had a little boy and he was hauling a gear bag with everything he possibly needed for hockey, and he needed his uncle’s help to put it in the car, and once he did he came back and stood there really quiet and said ‘thanks for the hockey gear because now I can play. That is why we do what we do,” Simpson said.

A spokesperson for the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.

For the two service groups, while there may be no fundraising at the Stampede this year, they remain optimistic for next year. Smaller fundraising events will still take place between the groups. Anyone interested in joining or supporting the Elks Lodge is asked to email MHElks@telus.net.

Those interested in supporting the Lions Club can contact lcmh732@gmail.com