MYRNAM - With just 15 members, one Canadian Royal Purple Society lodge still stands strong and continues to support its community while proudly celebrating its 60th anniversary.
About 20 people were seated in round tables decorated with cups of tea that were set up in a high tea fashion. Members of the Mrynam Elks, along with the village’s mayor, Ed Sosnowski, were all dressed in purple and white, as they joined the ladies to mark the Myrnam Royal Purple Lodge anniversary on Jan. 20, held at the Mrynam Elks Hall.
“It has been a privilege to be part of this great organization, which has given so many of us a sense of belonging and great camaraderie,” said Mary Karbashewski, one of the organization’s oldest members.
Though the Order of the Royal Purple, the female auxiliary of Elks Canada, was founded in Canada in 1914, the lodge in Mrynam was instituted on Jan. 20, 1960. Beyond assisting the Elks, members have helped with many different needs in the community. No community group is beyond consideration, and the needs of children and seniors are given special attention. The Mrynam Lodge has also held numerous fundraising projects.
The main draw for many goodhearted individuals, as well as Honoured Royal Lady (President) Lillian Konieczny, to becoming a member of the Royal Purple was the opportunity for friendship while serving the community and those in need.
“I love the Royal Purple and I love working with women and catering,” Konieczny said.
Konieczny was previously a member of the Manville Lodge and joined the Lodge in Mrynam after “Manville kind of fell apart.” The Manville Lodge currently only has four members.
Locally, the group has provided numerous services to children, which includes the creation of a Grade 12 Scholarship, established in 1967, and sharing half the cost of playground equipment with the Elks. Annually, members continue to contribute to the Mrynam Fire Department, Mrynam School’s awards and breakfast programs, Haying in the 30’s, and several others.
Both Sosnowski and Mrynam Elks Exalted Ruler Rick Axley congratulated the ladies for 60 years of service in the community and made donations that will go towards Haying in the 30’s. On behalf of the village, Sosnowski donated $100, and on behalf of the Elks, Axley donated $500.
The last decade has seen many changes, according to Lillian Tkachuk, another one of the group’s members. Tkachuk said the women are no longer under the umbrella of the Elks of Canada.
“We’ve lost our original name (Order of the Royal Purple) along with our national charity the purple cross fund for children and gained a new name,” Tkachuk said. “Canadian Royal Purple Society, with no national charity.”
In 2014, the Order of the Royal Purple was federally incorporated as the Canadian Royal Purple Society.
“Through the children’s fund, we encouraged students to participate in Elks and Royal Purple literacy and poster contest,” Karbashewski said. “And, one of our entries made the national level in 2008-09.”
“The Elks and Royal Purple have raised the profile of speech and hearing by mounting an early deafness detection and awareness campaign,” Karbashewski said.
The organization bid farewell to five members over the last decade, but continues to assist the local Elks.
“We’ve changed our name but not our commitments,” Tkachuk said.
