The Arcola Optimist Club handed out more than $21,000 to various clubs at their annual rally banquet on Wednesday, March 20 at the Arcola Legion Hall.
The ceremony was held as a culmination to the success of the Arcola Snowmobile Rally which was held in January and organized by the club. The Arcola Optimist Club headed the campaign in not only raising money for repairs needed for the Arcola Legion Hall but also got other organizations in the community to participate. Seven clubs and organizations chipped in to sell tickets for the event, the proceeds of which would go directly to the club that sold the tickets. Representatives from the clubs were treated to a roast beef dinner and got an opportunity to meet-up with others who participated in organizing the snowmobile rally. The clubs and organizations that received donations included the Moose Mountain Wildlife Federation, the Arcola Curling Club, the Arcola Figure Skating Club, the Arcola Day Care, the Carlyle and District Food Bank, the Moose Mountain Snowmobile Club and the Prairie Place Complex.
President of the Arcola Optimist Club, Blake Brownridge, said the rally's success would not have been possible without the other clubs and explained how their input was beneficial.
"The other clubs put a lot of hard work into it and just like everything else, it's a small town, the members are getting older and there's going to be fewer members, so it's great to have a whole bunch of other clubs," he said.
Brownridge pointed out that there are not many legion members left and as a result the Optimist Club has taken up the responsibility of maintaining the building. After pleasantries, supper and dessert, it wasn't long before the cheques were given out. Brownridge explained that over the years many of the clubs in Arcola sought assistance from the Optimist Club and said having them assist in ticket sales was one way to incorporate all the members of other clubs.
"That way they kind of knew what they were raising, they were getting a percentage of the money back and they get their cheques tonight," Brownridge said.
"It's just kind of a way to spread it out around the clubs in town."
Brownridge did point out that if the clubs do need more money for anything else the Optimist Club is always ready to help. He said the club's membership has been growing and highlighted the success of the MacMurray Theatre which the club operates.
"We have had a really good run last year with a lot of new faces in the club and having our theatre going this winter," he said.
"We've had some tremendous shows and great support for that and it's brought a lot of interest to the clubit's been a really exciting year, we're a growing club again so it's really good." After the presentations, the rest of the evening was then dedicated to full on discussions about various upcoming events and topics. And there wasn't only excitement surrounding next year's snowmobile rally but also other events organized by other clubs in the area.
