ESTEVAN - The Estevan Kinette Club invited guests to join them for the celebration of their 75th birthday on Saturday.
Cameron Kemp, national president for Kin Canada, along with Mayor Roy Ludwig and Estevan MLA Lori Carr, were among the dignitaries. Many nice words were shared about the club, its achievements, successes and development.
"The Kinette Club of Estevan has and continues to strive to uphold the traditions and spirit of Kin as founder Hal [Rogers] intended. Your club has numerous outstanding leaders. Your club continues to serve your community after 75 years in the association and your club exudes what is truly meant by the term Kin fellowship," said Kemp.
"As national president of Kin Canada, I would like to thank you, the Kinette Club of Estevan, for everything you have given to Kin Canada, District 3 and your community over the last 75 years. Your club truly has a spark for service and your community is better for it.
“The future of Kin and volunteerism within the community of Estevan is bright because of sparks like your club throughout the association."
Local president Krissy Wallman was the master of ceremonies for the event. She thanked everyone for joining them in celebrating their diamond jubilee of serving the community's greatest need.
After Kinette Chelsey Istace gave land acknowledgement, Estevan Kinette Jessica Beal read a letter from Sheila Laverty, the national service director.
"Your fellow Kin recognizes your club's dedication, creativity and hard work. The community of Estevan has benefited from your passion for service through your many club projects. From your support of Telemiracle, Kin Kindness Days and the Prairie Blankets of Angels Sask. your club has demonstrated a strong belief that as Kin we can continue to make our communities a better place to live.
"Your 10-year, $65,000 commitment to support the maternity department at St. Joseph's Hospital will provide much-needed care for families at an important moment in their lives. Clubs like you are a spark in Kin. Thank you for your dedication to servicing the community's greatest need," Laverty said in a letter.
Kinette Janelle Luddington walked the audience through the history and many projects Estevan's club has taken upon over the years.
The Kinette Club established itself as a force in Estevan on April 2, 1948, at a charter meeting at the Stone Church. Back then, working on the Milk for Britain campaign, the members helped to provide funds to aid the United Kingdom's youth in recovering from the effects of the Second World War. Luddington pointed out that as there was no national charter at that time, they began as an auxiliary of the Kinsmen.
Originally, the Kinettes formed as a social club, but soon they initiated a number of projects that were needed in Estevan, and they became a part of the community, said Luddington.
"Some of those projects were a donation of gifts to the children's ward at St. Joseph's Hospital, Coats for Kids, which provided winter clothes for kids in Estevan, March of Dimes, Furnish the Kinsmen School, blood donor clinics, Christmas hampers, provided [help] for babies with special needs, the support of the Kin workshop, now Estevan Diversified Services, the Fair Booth, helping with Christmas tree sales and wrapping gifts at Christmas," Luddington listed.
"The Kinettes also sponsored the Block Parent program, started a Buckle-up Baby program, collected mother's milk for the Milk Bank program, and helped create popular community events such as the Kin Carnival. They held other events such as the bicycle rally, which taught kids to safely ride their bikes, and helped with babysitting courses twice a year.
The local club also raised funds to give back to the community through Bingos, fundraising and other raffles. The money generated was used to support many good programs. In the past, the Kinettes have helped to fund a van for SMILE Services, the beginning of 911 services for Estevan and the Violence Intervention Program (now Envision Counselling and Support Centre).
“Many of these programs have been taken over by other organizations, but we owe their start in part to the Estevan Kinette Club."
Over the years, the Kinettes have introduced many more projects into their club, which include the successful craft show that they took over from the Quota Club around 2007. They partnered with Sun Country Hearing in 2014 to bring in the PJ Project, making sure every kid in the area would have a new pair of pyjamas for Christmas. They fund some awards for the Estevan and District Music Festival and review local recipient bursary applications, and always try to find other community initiatives, whether big or small, to volunteer at or provide funds for.
"Two initiatives we are proud of are our naming rights at the St. Joseph's Hospital maternity ward and sponsoring the local all-female football team, the Estevan Kinette Viragos for the past few years," Luddington said. "We also volunteer with our Kinsmen brothers at ... our annual Christmas party, the Audrey Fichter Rink and Kin Park. And our big Canada Day celebration at Kin Park that started in 1999."
Local Kinettes also fundraise for and volunteer at Telemiracle every year.
"A highlight moment for Estevan Kinettes at TeleMiracle was our very own Susan Colbow as TM 42 chair [in 2018], and that year was a record-breaking total from previous years. Something our Kinettes are very proud of," Luddington said.
Kinettes also participate in Kin Canada Kindness Days and put a lot of effort into raising awareness and funds for research on cystic fibrosis.
In his address, Ludwig thanked the local club for all they do for the community and the residents, specifically noting their work at Kin Park, the support of the maternity ward at the hospital and their engagement around Christmas time.
"Without your 75 years of work and commitment, I don't know what we would have done but I do know this, we would not be in the place that we are today without your help," Ludwig said.
Carr also thanked the Kinettes for all they do for Estevan. She noted that the founding members of the local Kinette Club were also core community people. They are now commemorated with street names, and Carr said she is sure there are more streets to be named after great Kinettes.
"Seventy-five years truly is an amazing accomplishment. Each and every one of you should be proud, and I know you have many more years of service and fellowship ahead of you. Congratulations and may this day of celebration and reflection remind you of why you joined the club in the first place," Carr said.
Former Kinette Kasey McIntyre, who's organized many CF events and has been a true champion for the cause, couldn't be at the celebration but forwarded a touching letter about CF, Kin and her involvement. Raelene Fieber, Kinettes CF captain, read McIntyre's address.
The Estevan Kinette Club has just over 20 members and always welcomes new people willing to socialize and be a part of community-oriented projects. To find out more, people can text them through the Estevan Kinette Club Facebook page or talk to any of the members.
