Our heritage of volunteerism

By Joan Janzen

National Volunteer Week occurs every year during the third week of April. This year those dates fall on April 17 to April 23. Some organizations choose to celebrate National Volunteer Month during April, as a time to recognize volunteers and encourage volunteerism.

Without our volunteers, we wouldn’t have some of the programs that many communities rely on today. It’s not only a good opportunity to highlight community programs, but to also remember the heritage of volunteerism which was passed down to us throughout the past decades.

Back in 1965, the community of Alsask recognized the need for a service club. In 1966 it was decided that a Lions Club would be formed because it encompassed all the needs in the area. As a result, the club was chartered on April 13th, 1966, with 42 members. Lions A.C. Steiert, Claire Denny, Keith Hawking, Ted Mundt and Wayne Hislop, all kept up 100 percent attendance for sixteen years! At times, the club had as many as 75 members.

The club didn’t waste any time getting to work. In 1968-1969, Lions members donated their time and funds in the construction and painting of a new indoor pool at the Air Force Station. The Lions also took over sponsorship of the Cubs and Scouts and co-sponsored the Air Cadets. They installed a new furnace in the hall, and wheat was donated to finance the addition of a kitchen and washroom at the rink. All this, plus more, was accomplished within five years.

The above information was obtained from the history book “Captured Memories - A History of Alsask and Surrounding School Districts”.

Alsask Lions first Executive: L-R: Bill Waite, Keith Hawking, Omar Sather, Alan Johnson, Willis Benn, Bob Johnson, A.C. Steiert, Pat Ross, Wayne Hislop, Lyle Mayer, Stewart Hislop, Everet Lloyd.