ASSINIBOIA — A remarkable testament to the power of Kinsmen in our communities as Assiniboia Kinsmen will celebrate 80 years in the community, chartering September of 1945.
The Assiniboia Kinsmen has a long legacy of events, places, spaces and traditions all made possible through this service club’s efforts.
Club member, Howard Ellis, affirms that in 2024, their members put in 600 man-hours for the community.
Ellis also acknowledges that the 40-year tradition of the Kinsmen Club selling live Christmas trees had an astounding one-week sell-out in 2024, arriving Nov. 25 and selling out by Dec. 2.
The Kinsmen Club undertook several service activities and projects in 2024 that included the Christmas tree sales. They were also part of bartending for weddings and other events, safe rides, hockey draft, Telemiracle fundraising, and their continued popular Chase the Ace project.
The Kinsmen Club own the Kin Hut and looks after upkeep, cleaning, maintenance and rentals keeping it viable for community use year-round. This is another value-added benefit to the community, thanks to this men’s service club. This club retains the revenue from rentals and uses it to help pay the hall’s expenses.
The Kin Hut has been part of the community for more than 50 years. Some renovations were completed in 2020 and Ellis states that more renovations will be planned within the next two to three years to keep the hall in shape for their club’s and the community’s use for years to come.
Ellis tells the Assiniboia Times, “2024 donations were made to various local organizations totalling $12,220.00 Note: the last Chase the Ace raised over $37,500 which was dispersed to local organizations in late 2023. The lottery we are running now we will not be able to donate until the lottery is finished which will be July 2025. The club is hopeful to meet or beat the last fundraising total from this lottery.”
The club says its biggest challenge is finding enough workers to tend wedding bars and other events, especially during the summer months.
With a membership of 11, the Kinsmen Club are kept busy throughout the year with their goals of serving the community’s greatest needs. They know they can rely on help from the K-40 Club in town. Ellis affirms that they were happy to welcome two new members in 2024.
While Telemiracle fundraising options aren’t yet finalized, the club says they will likely continue their steak supper and auction, along with raffles.
Ellis said members rotate positions each year so that everyone can learn all the aspects of this community service club.
Community support of Assiniboia Kinsmen Club efforts is one way to say thanks for all the work these men do while fulfilling their club’s mandate of ‘Serving the community’s greatest needs”. You can follow the Kinsmen on their Facebook page for all the latest news and updates.
