While Bob Manning may be the Elks national leader for 2000-01, also known the “Grand Exalted Ruler,” moving “up the ladder” by no means involves getting a rest as he plans to spend the year ahead touring the country.
“I plan to spend 250 days on the road in the next year,” said Manning yesterday, who came from Delburne, Alta. to Fort Frances to visit the local lodge.
He had been in Brandon, Man. on Sunday.
Manning spent the day with Tony Kadikoff, past Ontario president, first visiting the Canadian National Hearing Society audiology centre located at the Northwestern Health Unit here.
Kadikoff said it was a honour to have a national leader come here, as the last one to visit, Dennis Stewart of Winnipeg, was here back in 1995.
“It’s quite a thing–his itinerary is so heavy. He has to attend all provincial and territorial conferences,” he noted.
Manning mentioned the highlight of his day was when he visited a very lucky little girl, Kendra Duffy, four, who thanks to the Elks will be supplied with hearing devices for the rest of her life.
“It was very nice. I’ve always said, ‘Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you can do for others,’” said Manning.
Duffy’s parents, Terry Duffy and Wanda Dokuchie, were thrilled with the visit.
“We’re so very happy. This is going to make our lives a lot less difficult,” Dokuchie said. “They have adopted her as far as hearing aids go. Whenever she needs a hearing aid, they’ll pay for it 100 percent.
“And they’ll supply a monitor for her teacher in school so the teacher’s voice will be amplified for Kendra,” she added.
Dokuchie said Kadikoff was instrumental in getting the help.
“Every year, we get a request from the Canadian Hearing Society and we, in turn, see what we can do to help individuals,” noted Kadikoff.
“It’s great to help Kendra. It’s what we’re here for–helping children,” he stressed.
And Manning noted carrying on the Elks’ sense of charity will continue to be a big part of his work as he travels from coast to coast.
“I’m prepared for the year ahead. I’ve known how to stay busy in my life, and I want to instill that enthusiasm in the rest of the Elks of Canada,” he enthused.
Elks lodges across the country have made auditory and stuttering therapy programs their community service projects across Canada, along with the establishment of various playgrounds, camps, sports groups, and drug awareness programs for children.