Jason Emiry
Northern News Services
Published Friday, September 26, 2008

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The Yellowknife Lions Club's Spookarama Halloween event for youth is in danger of folding due to lower club membership and a lack of community support.

Held over the past 35 years, and scheduled this year on Halloween night at the Department of National Defence hangar - the event features a DJ, prizes and food free of charge. Organizers say it might not be held if the Lions Club does not get enough support from the community.

"We used have a whole bunch of members in the club, we walked around and hit all the businesses," said Don Finnamore, the president of the Lions Club.

"They would give financial donations or gifts of some variety. We used to blanket the whole city. We don't have as many members now. In fact there are only about four members in the club at this point in time."

The club needs $6,000 to $8,000 to buy prizes and pay for other costs.

Prizes to be given include MP3 players and a trip for two to Edmonton with Canadian North as the grand prize. Pizza Hut will be supplying pizzas and Coca-Cola will be supplying beverages.

Finnamore wants to see people get involved.

"If I don't have the money up front I can't afford this year to go on with it," said Finnamore. "I can't rely on anything and I don't necessarily want to pay for it out of my pocket."

The event has been popular in the past with usually over 700 kids taking part.

"It gives the kids some place to go," said Finnamore. "We get kids from all around, like Behchoko. They'll bring a bus load of them in."

The Elks have helped a lot in the last few years and this year is no exception.

"We will be giving them some cash and putting a list up in the lodge in order for people to sign up as volunteers to go out and help," said Roland Gagnon of the Yellowknife Elks Lodge.

"It gives teenagers something to do because they are too old to go out trick or treating," said Gagnon.

"The price is right. Vandalism cuts down considerably now on that night."