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The Ladies Auxiliary is a community support group, said current president Michele McDonald, working to fill the need of Bragg Creekers because some of the social welfare services available in larger urban centres are not available in the tiny hamlet.
“We’re kind of that fly under the radar group that people come to when they are in need,” McDonald said.
That philosophy has helped the Bragg Creek Ladies Auxiliary survive for six decades, said former president Julie Handrahan.
The Bragg Creek community has a lot of heart, Handrahan said, and one can feel it when they come together as a group. That spirit motivated the Ladies Auxiliary to step up and host events and fundraisers for the community.
The intention behind the Ladies Auxiliary was fundraising efforts, McDonald said, a tradition they have continued to this day.
The idea for the Ladies Auxiliary was born in 1959 after the Bragg Creek Community Association was established and began working to create a building.
The Bragg Creek Ladies Auxiliary was officially launched in January of 1960 with the core value of being community-oriented, and this philosophy has allowed them to create a lasting foundation, Handrahan said.
McDonald added the strong roots laid down by the Ladies Auxiliary have continued to grow. In the late 60s and 70s, it was mainly composed of women who had children in school and who were able to meet in the afternoon and plan different events and fundraisers for the community. It slowly morphed into a larger organization.
“It ebbs and flows like everything, but it has stood the test of time,” McDonald said. “It’s a great testament to who has been here, who’s been serving since the 60s all the way through to 2020.”
The Ladies Auxiliary is a great organization to be a part of, she said, because the time one spends volunteering can be completely flexible. For those new to the community and finding their place she encourages them to stop by when they are free, but noted they also have members that spend countless hours helping with events and fundraisers.
Their signature event is the Remembrance Day Service luncheon, a tradition that has held fast since the 1980s. The service sees around 500 people attend Handrahan said, but they also provide supports to families and programs in need throughout the year.
One of the keys to their success is they have been able to stay relevant within the community by meeting the needs of residents.
They have done so by staying connected and “keeping their ears to the ground” so they can get to action when they are needed.
“We’ve got 20-odd-people who all have a network and we ask the questions, who needs some help, what going on,” McDonald said. “They bring things to the group.”
Fundraising has been a critical aspect for the group and when a need arises they “get busy” raising money for those who require a little extra help.
Handrahan said it an honour to carry on the legacy of the organization, adding even though the Ladies Auxiliary has evolved the heart behind the group remains the same— Helping the community and other organizations that call Bragg Creek home.
For those that take up the mantel of the Ladies Auxiliary in the future, McDonald said, to expect both lean and robust years of support— The key is to keep in mind that if there is a need in the community they need to, “stay strong, do what they can and soldier through.”
COVID-19 has created a new reality for the group, including incorporating Zoom into their meetings so they can continue to collaborate, Handrahan said with a grin.
The pandemic has been unlike any other event the Ladies Auxiillery has experienced— Including the great flood of 2013.
“There’s no end date and we don’t know what the future is,” McDonald said. “The flood was an event and we recovered— This is ongoing”
McDonald said they expect they will be asked for more as the community continues to respond and recover from COVID-19.
One of the bright spots of the pandemic has been a generous donation of $15,000, Handrahan said, explaining the funds have allowed the Ladies Auxiliary to continue helping community members in need.
“We all feel very blessed that we have been given this money that we continue to help individuals and individual families,” Handrahan said.
However, the Ladies Auxiliary has also faced adversity during the pandemic, she added. One of the most challenging aspects of COVID-19 is they have been unable to be out in the community taking an active role.
McDonald added it was disappointing to have COVID-19 put a damper on their plans to host a celebration marking the 60th anniversary of the Bragg Creek Ladies Auxiliary. They had some alumni and ready to attend, she said, but are already coming up with plans for the next year to bring the community together if COVID-19 health measures are eased or lifted.
