Our Proud History

In the beginning…..
There were salesmen who travelled throughout the province, bringing samples of their product to various merchants, such as dry goods, hardware, and general stores. Each had his own territory to service and product to sell. They rested at the small country hotels and became acquainted with other salesmen. Those were the days when telephones were scarce and faxes and computers were non-existent. They were known as “travelling salesmen”.

Those were also the days when public health services outside the major cities was minimal. These travelling salesmen heard many sad stories from their customers. Stories of children who were in need of medical aid, but were unable to get it because the money was not available. On occasion, some of these salesmen would raise money amongst themselves and their customers to help out.

In the year 1918, six travelling salesmen in the Calgary area talked about forming a travellers club. They started with 25 members and a fee of $5.00. Accident Insurance was made available, through the organization, to the travelling salesmen. By 1989, there were 53 clubs in Canada with a membership of over 7,200 that was restricted to travelling salesmen only.

Today there are over 30 clubs still active in Canada. Membership is now open to everyone over 18 years of age and of good moral character, regardless of his or her occupation.

The History of our Edmonton Club

1929
The Edmonton Club receives it’s charter and opens with 77 members

1947
The first SEARCH FOR TALENT airs on CFRN Radio, paving the way for the Northern Alberta Crippled Children’s Fund of the Associated Canadian Travellers (Edmonton) Club. This event goes on for 40 years, helping disabled children with urgently needed financial support from the proceeds, and helps open the door for the talented young people who performed on the show.

Late 1940’s – Early 1950’s
The Edmonton Club sponsors the world’s first carspiel ( a curling bonspiel) – giving away 4 cars as first prizes. Also held Bingos with prizes ranging from cash to cars. All of the proceeds raised went to help people with disabilities.

1952
In 1952 and for the next 46 years, the Edmonton Club worked with Easter Seals on their Annual Easter Seal Campaign for Northern Alberta. At the time, Easter Seals had a camp for the disabled at Lake Isle. When Easter Seals funds were insufficient to keep the camp operational and meet development needs, the Edmonton Club came to the rescue. Over the next seven years, our club helped with the financial obligations and in 1959 took over the control of Camp Health Hope and Happiness (Camp He Ho Ha). Today Camp He Ho Ha is still the main recipient of all our fundraising although other organizations also provide substantial financial support to the Camp.

1967
The Edmonton Club is granted the franchise to operate the A.C.T. Gold Brick project during Edmonton Klondike Days. This ten-day project is volunteer intensive but can be fun for those who participate. This project continues today some 41 years later, and is one of our major fundraisers.

1975
With television fundraising becoming popular, the A.C.T. TELERAMA is introduced with the help of the Sunwapta Group and aired on CFRN TV. The first TELERAMA exceeded the projected $190,000 in pledges, and thousands more were raised over the ensuing years. The A.C.T. TELERAMA last aired in 1992.

1972 – 1975
Planning is done to develop a Recreational Centre for the Disabled in Rundle Park. The sod turning ceremony was held on September 17, 1975. Phase I was completed in November 1976 and officially opened in January 1977. Final completion was in 1986. The total cost of this project, which bears the name A.C.T. Recreation & Aquatic Centre, was over 2 million dollars. Funds raised from the A.C.T. TELERAMA were directed toward it’s construction. The facility is now operated by the City of Edmonton.

Present
The Edmonton Club continues it’s proud history to this date of raising funds to help those who are less fortunate, with a focus on helping physically and mentally disabled children.