Eagles keep giving tradition alive

The Bonners Ferry Eagles Aerie Group donated $6,450 last weekend to nine youth organizations with money raised from a fairgrounds cotton candy booth. 

“What’s awesome is it’s kids that come up and buy the cotton candy, and it’s kids that receive the donation,” said Shawn Smith, Eagles chairman, at the donation event at the Eagles Lodge on Nov. 23.  

About 40 volunteers manned the booth last summer, selling cotton candy, snow cones and water during many events at the Boundary County Fairgrounds. The money raised went to the Clay Busters, Valley View Ski and Scholarship, the Kootenai Valley Junior Rifle Club, Boundary County 4-H, three Scouts 114 groups, Robotics, and the Boundary County Fair Board. The Scouts groups are saving to buy a cargo trailer, and the Junior Rifle Club will use the donation for ammunition. 

“Our community relies on clubs like this to help support and encourage one another,” said Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer, who has been a member of the Bonners Ferry Rotary Foundation for about 20 years. “There's a need for service groups, especially in a community our size where there's not a lot of other programs available.” 

As Lions, Elks, and Others Disband, Rotary and Eagles Carry the Torch

Though the Eagles Auxiliary is about 300 members strong, other local non-profit groups have fizzled out over the years. Most recently, the Lions disbanded in 2019, donating remaining funds and projects to the Rotary. The Elks, Jaycees and Shriners have also all been discontinued, and the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, and even the Rotary are slowly fading from public life. 

“It used to be that there would be 40 of us in a meeting,” said a long-time Rotary member. “Now there’s a dozen.” 

Nationwide participation in fraternal organizations has declined over the last several decades. Kramer attributes the membership drop in Bonners Ferry to external factors such as family and work obligations. To adjust to the lifestyle of volunteers in today’s world, the Eagles and Rotary no longer hold mandatory meetings, and they meet less frequently. 

Kramer also agrees with Sue Kemmis, curator of the Boundary County Museum, that the younger generation does not take as active a role in volunteerism. Kemmis said that younger people tend to prefer digital communication over the more traditional face-to-face gatherings that social organizations offer. 

Programs like BFMS and BFHS Leadership offer opportunities for students to learn the value of giving back to the community. But with the changing dynamics of local service groups, there are fewer donors like the Eagles to support youth organizations.  

“Positive activities for the youth are very important,” Kramer said. “If there aren’t good afterschool activities, oftentimes they can find the wrong influences pulling for their attention.” 

The Lions used to offer free fishing days, but when they folded, the Rotary Club took over the event. Smith, the Eagles chairman, said he fears opportunities like free fishing days will be lost if local service organizations do not increase their participation and activism.  

“Let’s face it, there are neglected children in this community,” Smith said. “If that’s all they know, they think it’s normal. Those are the kids that when the help comes, and you’re genuine, you can change that kid’s life into a different direction.” 

To join the Eagles Auxiliary No. 3522, applications are available at the Eagles Lodge at 7159 Second St.