HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-10-14, Page 21With Kin
Service by
people, for
people courts
smen-it's only the service that counts
Service. It's service by the K9nsmen
Club members that really courts.
Every year, Kinsmen Club service pro- •
jects across'Canada are worth Tally
millions of dollars. But the dolla�r value
isn't important to the founder, -Ial Rogers
who still resides in Toronto. Fo Hal
Rogers, it's service by people f r people
that is the true measure of, Ki>:i.
It's likely that Hall Rogers could cite
hundreds of examples of the w4ys-in which
Kinsmen serve the greatest needs of the
community ... and those who live there.
But the story that has most likely been
told more often than any other, is the story
of the young man from, England who mov-
ed to Ajax. He worked hard for a long time
to save enough money to bring his wife
and children over from England.
He travelled to Montrel to meet his fami-
ly but on the return trip to Ajax, he sug-
gested to his wife that they stop in Oshawa
for the night. He just didn't want to disap-
point his family on their first night in Can -
da ... he'd provided a home, but he just
hand't been able to get together enough
money to furnish the home before his fami=
ly arrived.
But his wife insisted they drive on to
Ajax. She was anxious to see their new
home.
When the family drove up .to their home, -
the sight that greeted them wa what
Kinsmen is all about. The house was fully
furnished, there was a hot meal in the
oven and best of all perhaps, there was a
warm welcome by a group of Kinsmen and
Kinettes.
Rogers remembers that in the early
years of Kinsmen, the organized church
was one of the group's most outspoken
critics.
"For a reason I still don't understand,"
muses Rogers.
He remembers that in the Hlton Club
in those early years, the mem ers would
put together a food basket eve Saturday
and leave it on the doorstep of an. unfor-
tunate family.
"We'd just ring the doorbelll and leave
before it was answered," remembers Hal.
One night, a food basket'reciipient
thought he recognized someone running
Page 3
away from his house, and called a
Kinsmen member about the identity of his
benefactor.
When asked where the food came from,
the Kinsmen member replied, "God sent
it.
11
"We believe in helping the other guy,"
said Hal.•We are never at a loss to find
something that justifies service work.
There is always a challenge and an oppor
tunity. But we are not looking for money
or signs of recognition in our work."
Hal may not have been looking for
recognition, but he was noticed for his
selfless interest in service to mankind. He
was awarded the Order of Canada award
from former Governor General Jules
Leger.
•'I'm very proud of that award," admits
Rogers.
But Hal Rogers warns Kinsmen never to
allow the club and its fine work to be the
dominant factor in life.
First comes family, then your business, '
then your church and then your communi-
ty through the Kinsmen Club," Hal points
out.
The Goderich Kinettes render a short number
during first anniverf arY festivities.
Club helped with new arena
This is a photo of some of the Kinsmen Club
members. who helped with a painting spree at
the newly -constructed Goderich Arena in 1949.
The Kinsmen helped with the arena and other equipment
CONGRATULATIONS
KINSMEN
on your 400 years f f seMcel
�e have hal. a Tod ass, coat of9
a14d -e hope y organizat8+=r
nth hues the good work
LYONS &
U L H E R N INSURANCE
46 West Street. Goderich 524-2664
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Congra tul a tl onas
on your 40th Anniversary
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GAMES • TO1 S
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