FAN CLUB FIT FOR A KING
Many would have a Blue Christmas without their generous donations
Nobody wants change. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it … But this is broken and we need to fix it.
JOELY BIGEAGLEKEQUAHTOOWAY, on statues, names and the historical legacy behind them
Elvis Presley put it perfectly: “Sharing money is what gives it its value.”
Community-minded members of the “I’ll Remember You” Elvis Fan Club of Regina have taken those words to heart.
The club recently donated $800 to the Regina Leader-Post’s Christmas Cheer Fund, which benefits four women’s shelters — WISH Safe House, SOFIA House, Regina Transition House and the YWCA’s Isabel Johnson Shelter.
“Every Elvis fan club in the world does charity,” fundraising chairperson Kathleen Lorch says while conducting a tour of the expansive Elvis museum, located near Performance Marine on Pasqua Street.
“Helping good causes is just something that I think you should do in the city.”
The local Elvis fan club, a repeat Christmas Cheer donor, typically uses its funds to assist charities that do not require financial support from the government.
“We find cases where there are people in need,” says Lorch, who created the fan club and the museum with her husband, Wayne, 14 years ago.
“Nobody knew about all the charity work that Elvis did. It was amazing. He put three nurses in Memphis through the entire nursing program. He bought wheelchairs for people. He paid for kidney transplants. He did many, many things like that. He just gave, gave, gave, gave, gave.
“It’s not all me with the club. I can’t explain it, but Elvis does it himself.”
The club, which has upwards of 20 members and meets regularly at the museum, is officially registered and recognized by Elvis Presley Enterprises.
A tour of the Regina fan club’s headquarters is an eye-popping experience. Just when you think you have seen everything, another door opens and there is more, more, more — including a built-toscale replica of the Presley family ’s modest homestead in Tupelo, Miss.
Aside from that, there is, well, everything — records, books, posters, videos, magazines, autographs of band members, an Elvis-brand refrigerator, an Elvis quilt ...
“People say it must have taken so much work,” Kathleen says. “It was a lot of work for Wayne, because he was building it, but it never seemed like work to me because it was a collection. It seemed like we were on a high the whole time.”
Kathleen, who grew up on a farm near Melfort, has been an Elvis fan since she was 14. Wayne, who has been married to Kathleen for 52 years, is more of a car collector. Wayne’s classic automobiles can be found on the main floor of the museum, which truly is a must-see proposition for car and Elvis enthusiasts alike.
“We let people get in the cars and let people touch them,” Kathleen says. “We don’t put any ropes around them.”
Nor are there any time limitations, or so it seems. Kathleen is happy to conduct tours — she shows visitors around the museum and discusses every form of memorabilia in fascinating detail.
“Do you see that Elvis bust?” she says. “My daughter-in-law’s mom bought it at an antique store in Canora. She found it in the corner, all covered in dirt.”
Now in immaculate condition, the bust is displayed on the upper level, not far away from a one-ofa-kind Elvis bathroom.
“Elvis is the one who earns the money (through donations),” Kathleen says. “It’s not me. I just talk to people and answer the questions.”
While doing so, she emphasizes that the club isn’t just about her. She is a proud member of a dedicated group of Elvis fans — people who celebrate their mutual musical passion and, along the way, provide valuable assistance to sundry causes in the community.
Their favourite singer would want it that way.
“Elvis is special,” Kathleen says with a smile. “He’s still The King.”