There are a number of groups and organizations in Crowsnest Pass which have been experiencing substantial difficulties as of late, prompting the closure of some important services in this community.
The first which springs to mind is the Crowsnest Pass Historical Society, which was forced to announce the temporary closure of the Crowsnest Museum this month, as a result of financial difficulties.
Another organization which recently came into hard times was the Boys and Girls Club of Crowsnest Pass, which announced last September that it was suspending after school programming to local youth, again due to funding shortfalls.
The other most notable case of a group receiving poor community support which springs to my mind is the Crowsnest Pass Lions Club, who had to cancel their popular ice fishing derby earlier this month and who may be forced to fold if they do not attain new members by the end of March.
I find all three of these cases troubling and am sad to see that it has gone this far.
In the case of the Lions Club, the reality is that the fishing derby they put on every year has no problem finding participants but it seems that no one wanted to step up and help organize it.
This is frustrating to me. I think if you enjoy something and would like to see it continue, you should consider volunteering to ensure that happens.
Personally, as someone who benefited greatly from having a youth centre organization to attend during my adolescent years and who believes that such services are integral in fostering healthy development of young people, I jumped at the opportunity to join the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club, hoping that I could be of help in any way.