(Nicole Reis/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Nicole Reis

National Day of KINdness

Flag raising at City Hall recognizes National Day of KINdness

Feb 20, 2020 | 11:33 AM

Local Kinsmen, Kinettes and city officials gathered at city hall to raise a flag in honor of the Kinsmen’s 100^th anniversary.

Mayor Merlin Seymour told meadowlakeNOW, he was once a Kinsmen for over 20 years.

“We proclaimed this week as Kin Canada Week and today, they’re raising a flag throughout the country at a specific time,” he said. “The community appreciates all the work they do.”

Seymour said the foundation contributed to many efforts. He highlighted their efforts helped with the recent purchase of three handi-vans for Meadow Lake and one for the Village of Goodsoil.

The mayor said when he was involved with the club, a substantial donation was made to the local swimming pool, while community programs were subsidized by a charity baseball game against the Lion’s Club that generated $20,000.

Health alerts

Sask NDP sound alarm over TB cases in northern Saskatchewan

10h ago

PYSANKY EASTER EGGS

"It's special to pass this on": Saskatchewan family celebrates Ukrainian Easter heritage

10h ago

BUSTED

Man charged after fleeing from RCMP on dirtbike in Onion Lake

11h ago

“The motto is still the same, ‘Serving the community’s greatest needs’ — that’s what Kin Canada is all about,” he said.

Vice president of the local chapter, Geoff Barton said every year around Feb. 20, the National Day of KINdness is recognized by Kin Clubs across Canada.

“This year, it’s the 100^th anniversary of Kin Clubs across the whole country. As many clubs as possible across [Canada] have worked together to make our communities aware of what we do,” he said.

Barton said the Kinsmen in Meadow Lake have been in the community nearly 45 years.

“I think it’s a nice gesture that city hall let us pay a little homage to the work the current and past clubs have done,” he said.

Combined efforts of Kinsmen and Kinettes have sponsored free swimming at the Aquatic Centre over Christmas Break, and raised thousands for Cystic Fibrosis Canada with wing nights at the Legion. The group raised approximately $1 million locally over the course of 44 years at Meadow Lake’s own mini-Telemiracle for the Telemiracle Foundation.

The local club also offers Kin Bursaries for students entering post-secondary education, provides safe rides for licensed events where members drive guests and their vehicles home, and provide special event tents for corporate, family and civic functions.

Kin Day is recognized in the midst of Kin-week and today’s event leads right into the Telemiracle fundraiser running on March 7 and 8.

—

nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722