Elves Club president Lynn Nestman has announced her intention to step down this month, whether or not a replacement is found, leaving the future of the club and its Christmas hamper effort uncertain.
Nestman’s core group of helpers on the executive have also left their positions, so she said it will take a group of at least three dedicated volunteers to pull off the fundraising and prep work needed to produce over 600 hampers for the Sunshine Coast’s needy this Christmas.
That new group of volunteers will need to be in place by the upcoming Aug. 20 Elves Club annual general meeting (AGM) or “it’s done,” Nestman said, adding that time is running out to fundraise for the hampers, delivered in December.
She said she feels ill about her decision to step down but also resolute because she can’t make it financially if she stays on as president.
Nestman is self-employed and has her own beauty salon and dog training business. If she doesn’t work, she doesn’t get paid, and volunteering with the Elves Club for the past four years has taken her away from her businesses and taken its toll on her bank account.
“Last year I went full tilt but I was re-mortgaging so I knew I had a little leeway, but that’s done now, so there’s no leeway anymore and, you know, I think after a few years, you just kind of burn out,” Nestman said.
She felt the need to step back last year as well and put out the call for help several times, to no avail.
“Now it’s time for me to go.”
Currently the Elves Club is sitting with about $27,000 in the bank and the hamper effort last Christmas cost about $100,000.
“The money is a big issue,” Nestman said, noting the club didn’t get a hoped-for boost in its grant funding this year.
“I believe they will have to scale down.”
Last year the Elves Club gave out hampers with food and presents to over 660 families, representing about 1,600 people, Nestman said.
The upcoming AGM for the Elves Club is on Saturday, Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. at Frank West Hall on Chaster Road in Gibsons.
Nestman invites anyone willing to take on an executive position with the Elves Club to come to that meeting or to contact her ahead of time at 604-989-9575.
She said the club’s treasurer is willing to stay on another year and Nestman is able to show a new president the ropes.
“I would be more than willing to shadow somebody through what to do, line up everything, let them know who to contact, what to start,” Nestman said.
“I really hope and pray someone steps forward because the Elves Club provides a service that’s really needed in this community.”
If no one answers Nestman’s call for help this time, the Elves Club will likely fold and the funds currently held by the club will be transferred to another registered charity like the Salvation Army or the Sunshine Coast Food Bank, as per the club’s charter.
