Members of the Prince Albert Royal Purple Elks #50 stand alongside members of Princess Margaret School and their new speech and hearing board. (left to right: Princess Margaret School Principal Jaret Nelson and student Aria, P.A. City Councillor Don Cody, Donna Soles, student Kylan, Peggy Kugler, Grant Ursaki, and Angie Nelson.) (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

By Logan Lehmann

Helping hand

Royal Purple Elks mark Speech and Hearing Month with donation to Princess Margaret School

May 1, 2024 | 1:49 PM

The Prince Albert Royal Purple Elks #50 marked the beginning of National Speech and Hearing Month on Wednesday by giving back to a local elementary school.

During a flag raising ceremony at the Prince Albert Elks Hall, members of the Royal Purple Elks were joined by City Councillor Don Cody along with students and the Principal of Princess Margaret Elementary School where the Elks donated a new speech and hearing board for the school’s playground.

The board is designed for children with complex communication needs to be able to connect and have conversations with others while exploring the playground and is easy to use, giving all children a voice to express themselves.

Angie Nelson of the Royal Purple Elks #50 explained that it all started during a Christmas hamper draw in support of a young girl, Aria, with hearing problems as well as a boy, Kylan, with speech difficulties.

“We decided that all the money that was raised would go towards our fund for children, which looks after the funds for the speech and hearing,” she said. “Because we [raised the money] locally, we wanted our money to be spent locally. We approached Princess Margaret School, which is where the young girl goes to school, and asked if there was anything that we could help with in order to make life easier for her.”

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Turns out, there was.

The school’s Principal, Jaret Nelson, told the Elks that he and the school were looking at purchasing the sign to be placed in the playground, but the overall cost prevented them from doing so.

Thanks to the help of the Royal Purple Elks, the dream is now a reality as the organization helped purchase the sign for the school’s playground and for the students.

“This is a very significant donation,” said Principal Nelson. “The sign allows kids with challenges communicating with the world to use pictures and they can communicate what they need to get across out on the playground or if they’re experiencing some challenges or having good times too. It helps not only Aria, but many of our other students too that have challenges communicating.”

“The Purple Elks sponsor Aria’s cognitive implants and have helped the family for a number of years now,” he continued. “She’s been a student at our school for three years now so the partnership has continued over.”

More information about National Speech and Hearing Month can be found by clicking here.

The Royal Purple Elks are now gearing up to host a senior’s appreciation pancake breakfast this weekend on May 4 at the Elks Hall, which is free for anyone to enjoy.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com