2005-2006 Lodge Officers

   The Royal Purple of Canada is "A National, Fraternal, Charitable Women's Organization identifying and addressing Community needs through the volunteer efforts of its Membership." Its vision is "To be the leading National Women's Organization helping our Communities and offering personal development."

 The Royal Purple is the auxiliary of the Swan River Elks Lodge #384 and shares in many social, charitable fund raising, and community activities.

    Swan River Royal Purple Lodge #185 was instituted on September 10, 1954 and has taken an active role in helping those in need in the Swan River Valley.

    Events supported and projects undertaken by the Swan River Royal Purple in the past year:

• Annual Swan Valley Regional Secondary School Bursary
• Annual Swan Valley Music Festival (Trophy and Bursary)
• Purchased Star and Times subscriptions for local hospital
• Funded"May Basket" for first baby born in May
• Deliver Meals on Wheels each June
• Financial donations to many and varied local charities
• Financial donations to the Elks and Royal Purple Fund for Children
• Fund raising through catering at banquets and luncheons throughout the year and Christmas baking in early December
• Promoting the Drug Awareness Program by co-sponsoring the Annual Elks and Royal Purple Literary, Poster and Video Contest in conjunction with the Manitoba Addictions Awareness Committee
• Participating in Annual Christmas Tree Festival
• Participating in Annual Community Mass Registration
• Purchasing Lifeline units for Services to Seniors
• Financial donations annually to Child Find
• Purchasing Radium Soundfield Systems for use by children with hearing disabilities in the Swan Valley School Division
• Participated in Provincial and National Curling
• Co-hosted National Elks and Royal Purple Curling Championships in March 2005
• Planted Flowers within the town and at Legion Park
• Celebrated 50th Anniversary of the Lodge in October 2004
• Assisted students from Swan Valley Regional Secondary School with finances for trip to Ukraine
• Assisted individual student from SVRSS with finances for trip to Ottawa

    The Elks and Royal Purple Fund for Children is the National Registered Charity of the Elks and Royal Purple.  This is called our Personal Assistance Program. Founded in 1956 as the Elks Purple Cross Fund and having the name changed in 1998, the purpose of the Fund is to provide financial assistance for any purpose whatsoever that is for the good and welfare of a person resident in Canada prior to attaining their 19th birthday. Money from the Fund may be used to purchase hearing aids, auditory trainers, medicine, crutches, braces, technical aids, books and many other items required by a needy child including transportaion, food and lodging for children who are to be medically treated or assessed in Canada. In addition to personal assistance given to individual children by the Fund there are other programs. Further information may be obtained from the National Office of the Elks of Canada in Regina, Saskatchewan at: http://www.elks-canada.org

Any person may make an application for assistance by contacting the Elks or Royal Purple.

Until further notice: Swan River Royal Purple meetings will be held in the Elks hall on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month excluding July and August. Meetings start at 7:00p.m.

If you are interested in a volunteer organization, the Royal Purple needs you. Increasing membership is an ongoing priority of the Order. Therefore, if you are a female, 16 years of age or older and a resident of Canada or a Canadian citizen, come and join us.

During the 2005 - 2006 Lodge year, contact any member of the Swan River Royal Purple whom you know or one of the following for more information on our great organization:

Lady Bev Lumax 204-525-4808
Lady Pat Tall 204-238-4892