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Kinsmen Club closes a successful season

The local Kinsmen Club closed off another successful season with a wrap-up Annual General Meeting and party, Thursday, June 30.
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Lake Cowichan Kinsmen Club incoming treasurer Laurie Knippelberg presents Cowichan Lake Community Services counsellor Darlene Tully with a cheque for $5

The local Kinsmen Club closed off another successful season with a wrap-up Annual General Meeting and party, Thursday, June 30.

In addition to electing a new board and having fun, the group furthered their goal of helping by pledging $5,500 more toward local needs.

Of the money, $5,000 is going toward Cowichan Lake Community Services’ summer programming, and up to $500 is going toward purchasing an iPod Touch for Tanner Brooks – a local teenager with autism.

“You’ve given a smile on a kid’s face. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many Canadians,” BC Kinsmen governor Kelly Woywitka said.

“Thank you so much for the support that you give us. You’re helping kids that would otherwise not get this... It goes far,” Cowichan Lake Community Services counsellor Darlene Tully said.

“We just like helping out the community in whatever way they need,” incoming treasurer Laurie Knippelberg said.

The group’s underlying goal is helping out “communities’ greatest need;” a goal the organization helps out in through various fund-raisers, such as the most well known effort, Lake Days’ Ducky Derby rubber duck race down the Cowichan River.

This year’s Lake Days Ducky Derby raised about $3,500.

This year’s contributions have also gone toward a cystic fibrosis charity that provides families with money for hospital trips to Victoria.

Kinsman John Hieta’s son has cystic fibrosis, which is one of the reasons he cites for having become a member.

Those in the community with needs the Kinsmen may be able to help out with can submit a letter to a Kinsmen member directly, or to Cowichan Lake Community Services, who will pass the letter on to a member.

Aside from some work parties to fix up their hut in the town’s Public Works yard, the local Kinsmen have officially gone on break for the summer.

The group will reconvene in September.