Kindersley Royal Purple seeking new members

By Joan Janzen

The Kindersley Royal Purple has been an integral part of our community since September 2017. President Darlene May is currently selling 50/50 tickets for the Saskatchewan Royal Purple. The local group has six members, two of whom reside in other towns. President Darlene would love to have new members join the group.

“We have a meeting on the third Tuesday of each month at my house or on Zoom, which is necessary for out-of-town members,” she said. Darlene joined the group when she discovered Saskatchewan Royal Purple was in partnership with the Sask. Brain Injury Association.”

All funds raised by the Sask. Brain Injury Association are used to put on programs for brain injury survivors, most of which take place in Saskatoon or Regina. “There’s also a weekend camp in Arlington Beach for brain injury survivors and family/caregivers,” Darlene explained. “This helps for social interaction for survivors because the first thing they lose is their friend base.”

Darlene was one of the original members who started the lodge in Kindersley. It’s the only group of its kind in this region, but other clubs within the province are dedicated to supporting each other. The membership fee costs $60 per year, which also includes membership to the Saskatchewan Royal Purple and the Canadian Royal Purple. Membership is open to women, men and teens 14 years and older.

Since beginning in 2017, the Kindersley group has raised funds for the projects taken on by both the Sask. Brain Injury Association and the Saskatchewan Royal Purple. “We also raise money for our local communities,” Darlene added. Recent contributions included $4,000 for both the local food bank and the family shelter and a contribution to Westberry School’s accessible play equipment.

Funds are raised via events such as the Braingo Tango in November, and the Brain Boogie Walk in May. “The strategy for events is three hours of fun, two hours of fundraising and one hour of meeting,” Darlene explained. Members can also get involved in fun projects throughout Saskatchewan, including two quilt retreats, a casino trip and a couple of golf tournaments. These activities are open to the public and help generate funds for worthy causes.