Mayor Tara Veer (left) is joined by members of the Red Deer Kinsmen in council chambers Thursday morning to raise the organization's flag in honouring Founder's Day on Feb. 20, 2020. (rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

By Sheldon Spackman

Centennial Service

Kin Clubs celebrate century of service to local communities

Feb 20, 2020 | 11:02 AM

Decades of strong support from Red Deer’s Kin Clubs and their positive impacts on the community were celebrated at City Hall on Thursday.

Mayor Tara Veer and members of the local Kinsmen, Kinettes and K40 gathered in Council Chambers to raise a flag and proclaim recognition and gratitude for the group’s contributions to the community since first being established in 1937

The Founder’s Day ceremony was part of a Canada-wide flag-raising celebration for the service organization’s 100^th anniversary.

Red Deer Kinsmen president Chris Klassen says donations from local clubs to the local community are in the range of $200,000 and more each year.

“Our continued sponsorship of meal programs for schools, making sure kids have food to eat is a huge need right now,” explains Klassen. “Our assistance with the Red Deer Food Bank, the Mustard Seed, the Boys and Girls Club, Youth HQ, and then donations to locations like the Kinsmen Field House at St. Joseph’s High School, continued support of Kin Canyon, the Kinex, the Kinsmen Twin Arenas.”

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“I think if you look around,” adds Klassen. “You realize our stamp is on this city all over the place.”

Mayor Tara Veer (left) is joined by Red Deer Kinsmen president Chris Klassen (right) in proclaiming February 20, 2020 as Founder’s Day in Red Deer. (rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

In Red Deer alone, it’s noted the Kinsmen, Kinettes, and K40 clubs have been the driving force behind support for the Big Brothers Big Sister’s Camp Alexo, the Abbey Centre in Blackfalds, Red Deer Royals, Grow Boys, and the Red Deer Food Bank, among several other community organizations.

Klassen notes however, that the Kinsmen are very thankful for all the support shown for their Dream Home Lottery each year.

“It’s something that runs October, November, December every year,” says Klassen. “This year will be our 40^th year, and we’re pleased to announce this is the first time that the home will be in the Timberlands area, so we’re excited to put the shovel in the ground.”

Mayor Tara Veer, who officially proclaimed February 20, 2020 as Founder’s Day in Red Deer, says Red Deerians have benefitted tremendously over the years from many physical legacies in the community, made possible through the efforts of local Kinsmen, Kinettes and K40 clubs.

“But also the community building that they do through their events,” she points out. “So today, we’re thanking them for their contributions and participating in a national commemoration.”

Forming shortly after the end of WW1 in that spirit of community building, Veer says the Red Deer Kinsmen, Kinettes and K40 clubs continue proudly with their volunteer efforts and giving back.

“Our country at the time (1920) was experiencing deep inflation, and so some forward-thinking individuals decided to come together and put community above themselves, and we see and all benefit from the results of that.”

Nationally, Kin Canada members are said to have collectively raised over $1 billion for Canadian communities to date, including $47 million to cystic fibrosis research and advocating for blood, organ, and tissue donation.