By Nancy Kelly
Novanewsnow.com
A benefit hosted Nov. 10 by the Kentville Kinette Club kicked-off the local Kinsman and Kinette’s annual Christmas Miracle Benefit fundraiser, which helps make the holiday season brighter for children in Kings County.
“It has been a few years since we have done something to contribute to the radio-athon, and we wanted to do a little extra,” explained Emilie Desveaux-Starratt, who serves as secretary for the Kinettes.
The Nov. 10 event at the New Minas fire hall featured local entertainment, games, an auction, door prizes and, of course, a visit from Santa.
The Kentville Kinette Club supports the work of the Kentville and District Kinsmen Club. While both groups are relatively small in numbers – the Kinettes have five members to the Kinsmen’s 13 - their members work cooperatively to fundraise and contribute to local, provincial and national Kinsman projects.
“The Kinettes have been incredible,” said Kinsman president Wayne MacEachern.
“This benefit today is just another example of how they step up for us.”
The 38th annual Kinsmen and Kinette Christmas Miracle radio appeal was held Nov. 18 and raised over $9,400. Money raised through the Nov. 10 benefit and the radio appeal will help the clubs purchase Christmas gifts for Kings County children between the ages of two and 13. The clubs are assisted by volunteers who help in the gift shopping and the local 4X4 club, which delivers the gifts before Christmas.
“In our first year we had applications for 35 kids, and last year we helped over 400. The need has definitely grown,” said MacEachern.
Both clubs, which meet the first and third Thursdays of the month at the Kentville recreation centre, are always on the lookout for new members.
Applications for Christmas gift assistance can be made directly to the Kinsmen in late November and early December. For application dates and times call 678-6937.
