With the Order of Royal Purple ceasing operations in Thompson, one of its remaining members spoke to Arctic Radio about the impact the group had on the community.

 

Rita Werstroh says it was affiliated with the Elks of Canada as a way to fundraise for local initiatives.

 

Werstroh shares some of the projects the Order of Royal Purple Thompson contributed to.

 

“Every year, we gave five hundred dollars to an organization in town that we felt would help the children. We gave money to the children’s ward at the hospital and we provided funding for a disabled child that was going on a sports event, we helped with the travel. We’ve helped provide a cochlear implant for a young man in town. Programs like that where we can help with travel and cross Canada, we’ve donated to the Purple Cross Fund.”

 

Werstroh says they didn’t have enough members to continue to operate in Thompson, which resulted in the decision to close the local chapter.

 

She wishes the Thompson community remembers the group kindly and hopes someday down the line that it may be revived