(Submitted photo/Geoffrey Barton)

By Elliott Knopp

Fundraiser Cancelled

Meadow Lake Kinsmen Club cancels in-person TeleMiracle fundraiser

Jan 17, 2022 | 2:54 PM

A longstanding tradition in Meadow Lake continues to face challenges brought on by the current state of public health.

With a few weeks still to go before the official TeleMiracle 46 event begins, the Kinsmen Club in Meadow Lake announced the cancellation of another in-person event tied to the province-wide fundraiser.

In a statement to meadowlakeNOW, President Geoffrey Barton explained the decision to forgo the anticipated event came as a result of increasing COVID-19 cases in the community and the subsequent extension of enhanced public health measures laid out by the provincial government.

“This year, we were hoping that there’d be some conditions would be a little relaxed, but a lot of things started piling up,” he said.

“Hopefully, we’re able to revisit it again next year.”

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After the event ran for 40 consecutive years in the community, it has been cancelled in back-to-back years. Barton stated the club felt there weren’t many viable options, and made the reluctant decision to defer the event to next year.

While the final call on this year’s gathering leaves many within the organization displeased with the result, Barton said the situation isn’t uncommon in the current climate.

“The times we’re in right now, these are the decisions we have to make,” he remarked.

“It’s a little less of a sting this year because it’s the second time that we’ve had to postpone it, but that’s still a pretty long tradition in town to put on the back burner.”

The group has directed its focus to other smaller scale fundraisers leading up to this year’s TeleMiracle.

Meadow Lake’s Kinette Club is set to pick up where it left off last year and bring back the online auction. The event saw some success after the cancellation of the in-person gathering last year, and so did the Burger Battle, which will also make its return.

This will be the third consecutive year for the Burger Battle, a challenge in which local businesses assemble signature burgers which are crowned by public opinion.

Barton shared this year’s run will feature more elements to the contest, and the hope is that the three-time fundraiser will become a recurring event in the community.

“The first time, we had to try and contend with a pandemic, and especially with restaurants being hit so bad, we weren’t entirely sure if it was going to work for us.”

The event spawned by the temporary loss of annual tradition has seen bright days in its three years. Barton acknowledged the focus shifting to smaller projects has played a significant role in Meadow Lake being able to support a cause that has aided families across the province and at the local level.

“There’s been some families that have benefited locally in town from TeleMiracle funds. So, to be able to make a contribution, make it accessible to everyone and make it affordable for everyone is why we’re excited for some of these these non in-person projects.”

The official TeleMiracle 46 event is scheduled to run from March 5-6.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp