The Moose Jaw and District Seniors Association showed its appreciation for the many volunteers who help the organization by holding a banquet to honour this dedicated group of people.
The volunteer supper has taken place for many years, after former director Ross Leighton started it to thank the many people who support the association annually, explained president Vicki Wadsworth. Leighton died in December 2018 at age 93, so the organization wanted to keep the banquet going in memory of him.
“This year we almost thought about not doing anything because of the financial situation we’re in and everything,” she said on Feb. 20 at the Timothy Eaton Centre, “and it does cost a lot of money to put these dinners on.”
However, after reaching out to several community businesses, the association was able to acquire donated meat from Fellinger’s, bread from Family Fine Foods and desserts from Sysco.
Normally there are about 60 to 80 volunteers who attend the annual banquet, but this year only 35 came. Wadsworth guessed that the Scotties Tournament of Hearts might have affected numbers since many volunteers likely stayed home to watch or were at Mosaic Place either watching or volunteering.
There are many volunteers who have been with the club since it began in 1991, Wadsworth said, with several of these people in their 90s. These supporters are still helping, but the organization is always looking for more volunteers.
The association’s board is also composed of volunteers, many of whom served food during the banquet.
“It’s hard to keep a club like this going without the volunteers because we could not possibly afford to pay people to come in and help us … we (just) couldn’t keep the doors open,” she added.
Volunteer Natalie Dyok has been with the seniors’ association “from day one,” when the organization met in the basement of St. Andrew’s United Church beginning in 1984, she explained. Her husband had died and she was alone, so she looked for something to do and people with whom to socialize. She joined the seniors’ organization “to keep busy (and) to stay healthy.”
Dyok, 95, works in the kitchen on Thursday afternoons, helps with nickel bingo on Fridays, volunteers with banquets and card tournaments when needed, and plays cards herself two to three days a week.
“That’s what keeps me young. I haven’t got enough time for everything,” she chuckled.
The best part of the club is how friendly it is and how great the people are, Dyok continued. To her, it feels just like another home.
There are many fantastic volunteers like Dyok who help out, said Wadsworth. It is likely the socialization aspect that keeps people coming back, especially since there are many activities in which to engage.
It has been difficult to keep the association going since it faces competition from other similar organizations, she admitted. That is one of its biggest problems. However, the seniors’ association has been supported by such people as lawyer Talon Regent, who has worked to ensure the group continues to survive.
Wadsworth singled out Regent’s work in securing several municipal grants for the seniors’ association, while he is now working to sign a new lease for the organization; the previous lease was signed in 2011.
Anyone interested in joining the Moose Jaw and District Seniors Association can call 306-694-4223.
