By Mark Squibb
The Witless Bay Kin Club hosted the All Newfoundland and Labrador Spring Zone Conference in Gander this last month.
Over 130 Kin members, including District Governor Bill McFadden of Nova Scotia and Vice Governor Craig White of St. John’s, attended.
Witless Bay Kin Club President Adam Carey said the conference is an opportunity for Kin members to meet with other Kin, discuss the club, hold meetings, enjoy some live music, and have a bit of fun.
Carey said fellowship and camaraderie are a big part of being a Kinsman, but the main goal is to serve the community, and, true to the Kin spirit, members raised over $3,000 in memory of Aurora Keats, a Grade 9 student killed in an ATV crash in Gander this past March, during the conference. The family asked that the money be donated to the local gymnastics club of which Aurora was a member.
One of the topics at the conference was how to entice younger folks into joining a Kin club. To that end, the Kin Club of St. John’s is looking to begin a Kin Campus Club at Memorial University for students. It will not be limited to Memorial students only.
Carey said that interestingly enough, the Witless Bay Club boasts a younger demographic than some of the other clubs across the province.
The Witless Bay Club is busy throughout the year, from organizing the annual Santa Claus Parade, hosting dart tournaments and selling 50/50 tickets for different community causes. Just recently, the club opened a new, walk-in community pantry, free of charge to those in need.
“There’s a little bit of work involved in it, but at the end of the day it makes you feel nice that you can help people out and do things for your community,” said Carey.
The club currently boasts 8 full-time members, and anyone interested in joining it can email witlessbaykin@gmail.com for more information.
