Much has been said over the years in praise of AKEN women – the group of women who have organized 24 fundraising events over a 21-year period. 20 giant rummage sales, three gala functions and most recently the downsized version of the HIIGELBASAAR – the MINIBASAAR. The net profits from these undertakings – $360,000.00 - have been distributed to numerous organizations and projects dealing with children, youth and families in our homeland as well as in our local Estonian community.

Let it be said that the AKEN women unashamedly admit that they themselves have perpetuated many of the stories about what a great bunch of hard-working, enterprising, energetic gals they are! Gals ranging in age from 55 to 75! However, the way they brag about their ability to work together cooperatively, one would think they had invented the concept of “team-work”. But the fact of the matter is that by patting themselves and each other on the back, the AKEN women have managed to maintain their spirit, drive and motivation to continue to work together and to continue, in their own small way, to do something forthe good of others…..

But, hold on – this article is supposed to be in praise of AKEN men! It’s supposed to be a follow-up to the Eesti Elu article written in 2004 called “In praise of AKEN women” by its “not so unbiased” author Laas Leivat.

Well yes, finally - it has to be admitted – the AKEN women owe a debt of gratitude to the members of
what could be called AKEN’s “men’s auxiliary”! In other words, the women ie the “brains” of the organization wish to express their appreciation to the “muscle” behind the organization ie the men who put shoulder to grindstone and so generously helped with the physically more strenuous aspects of the projects undertaken by the AKEN women over a 21 year period. Well-deserved praise for the members of AKEN men’s auxiliary - all 130 of them!!

Twenty-one years of AKEN undertakings! Twenty-one years of slave labour provided by the husbands, relatives, friends, acquaintances and various other members of the Estonian male community. Did the men whine and complain when asked to cart, carry, drag, lift, heft, hang, push, hoist, pull, run, climb and jump? Well yes… but they did it anyway!

Some AKEN husbands have threatened divorce if such slave labour continues…but the women know that they’re just kidding(?) Take this year’s MINIBASAAR! A call went out for four strong, muscular men to do heavy lifting, hoisting and carrying! And lo and behold - four strong,
muscular men - Jaan Arro, Aivo Veel, Uno Jaason and Jüri Laansoo - answered the call! The AKEN women are grateful – it meant less lifting and carrying for them!

On a more serious note – AKEN women have loved taking advantage of the good nature of their husbands, friends and acquaintances! And the AKEN men – try as they might, they cannot hide the fact that they love (ie tolerate) AKEN women and their various ambitious fund-raising activities……

A HIIGEL HUGE THANK YOU FROM THE AKEN WOMEN TO THE AKEN MEN!

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