Dave Hurley, Grand Exalted Ruler of the Elks of Canada visited the Crowsnest Pass Elks Lodge No. 584 last Wednesday, March 23rd in a special visit.
Hurley, who was born in Newfoundland, moved to Yellowknife with his wife some 36 years ago before joining the Yellowknife Elks Lodge in 1985.
He has since served as District Deputy for the Northwest Territories from 1993 to 1994, Territorial President from 1994 to 1996, and Exalted Ruler from 1995 to 1997.
In 1997, he became the General Manager of the Yellowknife Elks No. 314, and held the position until 2006.
Currently, Hurley serves as Grand Exalted Ruler, as well as Facilities Manager with the City of Yellowknife, taking on managerial responsibilities for the city’s infrastructure, parks, playgrounds, and recreation facilities.
About a dozen Elks members from the Crowsnest Pass and four from Pincher Creek attended the meeting last Wednesday, which was held at the Elks Hall in Blairmore.
Following the regular meeting, Hurley addressed members about the important role the Elks and other service organizations play in Canadian society.
He noted that the Elks sponsor several charities and programs throughout the country, including the Elks and Royal Purple Fund for Children, hospital and building projects, the VOICE program for hearing impaired children in Ontario, the New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Elks and Royal Purple Deaf Camp, the Elks Hearing Centre and Elks Youth Centre in the Northwest Territories, the Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research in Alberta, and the Saskatchewan Paediatric Auditory Rehabilitation Centre.
“We are a group of individuals dedicated to the service of our community,” said Hurley. “There is no greater joy or pleasure than looking into the eyes of a kid who we have helped to take from despair and given them happiness.”