About Woking Willing Workers
The Woking Willing Workers operate and maintain the Woking Community Hall, as well as support and collaborate with other organizations for the betterment of the communities.
Woking Willing Workers Description
A Brief History of Our Roots
It was back on November 23, 1956 that the Woking Willing Workers (WWW) ladies club started and was named by Mrs. Mable Tracy shortly after it was formed. Its first executives were Harriet Herrick as President and Ursula Delfs as Secretary-Treasurer. Part of the reason the club was formed was due to the disbanding of the Legion Auxiliary.
The club has been involved in various projects in the community over the years. They were the driving force behind the installation of the water and sewer to the hamlet of Woking, back in 1979-80. And again for the installation of the two generators, one at the water plant and one at the lift station, in 2014. These generators ensure that the hamlet’s service of water and sewer will not get disrupted during power outages.
They have also supported many organizations, including canvassing for the Red Cross and Cancer Society. They donated monies for the purchase of a resuscitator for the Spirit River Central Peace Hospital, and have monetarily supported the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Grande Prairie, the Pleasant View Lodge in Spirit River, the Woking Municipal School, the Woking Municipal Library, STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society), Compassion House and several others. This year they are supporting the Fort McMurray Wildfire fund.
The WWW offers the hall rent free to support local non-profit groups & functions, including events put on by Woking Communities in Bloom, Woking Municipal Library, Westmark Farmer’s League and Woking Skating Rink Association as well as meetings held by community organizations. They have contributed to the A. C. T. Telegram and supported the youngsters of the community by donating to field trips and sponsoring delegates to Gold Eye Lake youth seminars.
The operations and maintenance of the Woking Community Hall has been the responsibility and major concern of the WWW for over 30 years. When it was evident that the hall could not continue to be used as it stood, and costs of repairs and renovations to bring it up to fire and building codes were prohibitive, the decision was made early in 1983 to erect a new and larger hall. With a land lottery, grants from the government, and WWW savings, they were able to build the existing hall. A large portion of the labour was done by volunteers from the community, which was greatly appreciated.
The WWW has hosted an assortment of events at the hall, over the years, such as New Year’s Eve parties, Sadie Hawkins dances, and the ever popular Annual Harvest Supper, which has been enjoyed by all, near & far, for 50 years.
Today, along with the Harvest Supper, the variety of events held at the Woking Community Hall throughout the year, include Woking Communities in Bloom Christmas Tree Light Up, Woking Municipal Library Monthly Movie Event and Westmark Farmer’s League Mother’s Day Breakfast. As well, the hall is utilized for public and private events, such as wedding & funeral receptions, community & municipal meetings, birthday & anniversary parties, fitness activities, Moms & Tots playgroup and educational courses.
Starting in the winter of 2016, the hall joined the long list of community centres throughout the Central Peace to bring in the Little Bookshelf Program provided by the Central Peace Early Childhood Coalition (CPECC). CPECC supplies facilities with a little bookshelf filled with books for all ages to be borrowed or taken & kept, as well as kids’ tables and chairs. They restock the bookshelf as needed.
Thanks to a generous recreation grant received from Saddle Hills County, the interior of the hall is getting a facelift. The walls and ceiling are currently being repainted, and the floors will be stripped and waxed.
This year marks the 60th Anniversary for the WWW and to celebrate we will be hosting a ‘50s themed dinner and dance on November 12th with music performed by Night Ryder.
** Please note: Our 60th Anniversary Celebration has been postponed until the early part of 2017. **
The WWW has always been and will continue to be very committed to the growth and prosperity of Woking and keeping the community connected through the hub of the hamlet, the Woking Community Hall.