ARCOLA - The Optimist Club of Arcola invited 50 members and guests to its annual banquet held at the Arcola Royal Canadian Legion Hall.
After a supper prepared by Linda Chapman and friends, president Blake Brownridge and Snowmobile Rally chairman Geordan Workman handed out various funds raised from the Jan. 29 snowmobile rally.
A total of $24,000 was donated to the Prairie Place Complex. Funds will be used for ongoing improvements and projects. Another $8,000 was presented to the Town of Arcola. These funds are to be used to beautify and upgrade the town’s play park.
There was $1,000 that was donated to the Carlyle Foodbank from proceeds earned from the 50/50 draw. The Moose Mountain Snowmobile Club received $3,500. which was given for the use of their groomed snowmobile trails that were utilized during the rally.
In addition to the $32,000 raised from the sale of tickets from their lottery licence, local clubs also received back the proceeds that were partnered from their own sales. Recipients included the Arcola Curling Club, $2,000; Arcola Day Care, $5,000; Arcola Figure Skating, $3,800; Arcola Rodeo Committee, $1,800; Moose Mountain Karate Club $4,000, Moose Mountain Wildlife $2,000, Moose Mountain Gymnastics, $3,000; Moose Mountain Minor Hockey, $2,600; and the Arcola Vipers Volleyball Club, $6,860.
Arcola recreation director Ghislaine Carter thanked the club on behalf of the town. “Thank you to the Optimist Club and all its members for putting on the annual snowmobile rally, which is always a wonderful and well-attended event. The proceeds generated help for so many local clubs, organizations and groups. They give back so much, and for that we are truly grateful and cannot thank you enough.”
“Thank-you southeastern Saskatchewan for all your support, the business sponsors, our Optimist members, other service clubs, snowmobile participants, and of course to you the general public,” said Brownridge. “Every penny from this year’s rally has been donated back to the community and surrounding area.”
The Arcola Optimists are already committed to hosting another snowmobile rally next January, which will be its 30th consecutive. In addition to offering weekend movies at the Mac Murray Theatre, live entertainment with country singers JJ Voss and Last Birds has been booked for April 2.
