Fans who took in Rural 5A High School Football League contests over the past season were encouraged many a time to enjoy ‘the best hot dogs in southern Saskatchewan’ and pick up a cup of something warm while they were at it.
Little did they know that with every dog enjoyed and coffee consumed, fans were putting money into a scholarship program to help music students further their education dreams.
On the afternoon of Mar. 11, the Prairie South School Division received a special donation from the Moose Jaw Elk’s Lodge, with a pair of cheques for $2,875 going towards to Trudie Temple Music Scholarship, which every year donates funds to a deserving high school student.
The majority of the funds raised came from the Gutheridge Field concession, which was once again back in action during football season this past fall.
“We were hoping to do this two years ago but couldn’t because of COVID, so we’re pretty happy to be helping out again,” said Art Watson with the Elk’s Lodge and a regular scorekeeper at the high school league games.
Trudie Temple, of course, is one of the namesakes behind Temple Gardens. Longtime patrons of the arts in the community, Trudie and Cal Temple built the wildly popular event venue in 1921 and saw it become the hub of social activities in Moose Jaw. Their continuous dedication to music in the Band City eventually saw the Elks establish the Trudie Temple Music Scholarship in 1979, and the honour has been awarded ever since.
“We’re always happy whenever we receive money for scholarships because kids are getting money to go to school and advance their educations, and that’s what we’re here for,” said Ron Purdy, chief financial officer with Prairie South School Division.
The award is presented each year “to a student who has made a significant contribution in music to his/her school and community”.
While the funds will help replenish the scholarship after the pandemic made for lean years, the hope is to add it and others to the Benevity online scholarship fundraising program sometime in the near future to further bolster support.
“With some of the scholarships over the years and especially the smaller ones, inflation has kind of made them not mean as much financially,” Purdy explained. “Some are less than $100 because they started in 1960, so it would be nice to build those up and help ensure people are remembered for what the scholarship was set up for.”
The Elks, meanwhile, plan to keep on keeping on with their ongoing fundraising ventures, including their recently launched weekly meat draws and wide range of events throughout the summer months. It all goes right back into the community, with over $22,000 raised in 2017 alone.
Be sure to check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MooseJawElksLodge and check out their website at www.moosejawelks.com for the latest information.
