The Dauphin Knights of Columbus have to make some big changes to their Christmas activities.
Grand Knight Lloyd Hudson explains what’s going on.
“In past years we’ve always had activities at the arena. Free skating, we’ve provided a movie, sleigh rides. We’ve had a team of horses; gentlemen come in with a team of horses and give sleigh rides to the kids. We just don’t have the volunteers to do that anymore, so we’re scaling back. And we always had Santa at the area as our guest, and he was there from about 1 till about 3:30. This year we’ve had to scale that back because of a shortage of volunteers.”
He shares what’s going to take place this year.
“We’re going to do, at the hall, as much as we can, our own hall at 101 11th Avenue Southwest. We’re going to have Santa there from 1 to 3, and we will be handing out goodies to the kids and oranges and things like that.”
“We will still take care of the organization of the Parade of Lights. The Christmas Parade of Lights that we are not scaling back at all. We hope to get as many floats in as possible. “
Age of the volunteers and the people who organize it is the main reason for the changes. Hudson says most of the members are in their 80s and organizing so many events is too much.
Deputy Grand Knight Ken Yakielashek hopes other groups around town can help put on these events.
“We’re kind of hoping that maybe the Chamber of Commerce can step in and take that up or even the City of Dauphin, most of that is their property anyway, the recreation commission. They can step in and take that up if they so think.”
Hudson says the knights are more than willing to help give guidance on running the events if someone is willing to take it on.
