Author: Catherine Walton

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2020-2021 DG Lion Anne Dechaine

As your newly inducted A5 District Governor, I offer these few words.
Firstly, a heartfelt thank you for your support. With full dedication I will do my best to
represent all A5 Lions.
During this global pandemic, Einstein’s quote: “In the middle of every difficulties lies
opportunity” resounds. Let us all take this as our challenge this coming year. As we ride
the COVID 19 wave, let us be innovative and creative and let us empower each other
and our clubs to redefine our services. A Lion’s purpose is humanitarian service; much
needed during challenges throughout all times.
Also, 2020 is our year for celebration – 100 years of Canadian service.
Therefore, together, INSPIRIT, as we serve, let us shine even more. Our opportunity rises
in this challenging time.

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A Challenging Finish to DG Lion Debbra’s Year

Lion Keld, provided a photo of (then 1st VDG) Lion Debbra and him above her banner at the 2019 Convention venue.

You did a great job for your year kiddo! – Lion Keld

2020 produced quite a start to the year for Lion Debbra. COVID 19 was spreading throughout the world silently passing from one person to the next during a brief time when we were unaware of its deadly path. January was the last meeting of the Cabinet and March was the end of all face to face meetings. We became familiar with new phrases, ‘social distancing’, ‘self-isolation’, ‘global pandemic’ and realized our world had changed and our ability to work within it would have to change as well.

The Convention planning, well underway was cancelled and the Convention Committee began meetings via Zoom to work through the process of shutting everything down while meeting our obligations to Lions Int’l in terms of our AGM. Interesting times.

Through it all, DG Lion Debbra encouraged Lions to continue doing what they always do – serve! But, how to do that now? Of course Lions always find a way and some of the restrictions required dictated adaptations to find a new way of serving our communities.

Did we always get it right, probably not, but, the communities we serve needed us to continue trying.

To DG Lion Debbra, 1st DG Lion Anne, 2nd DG Lion Carmen, GAT Team Chairs, Zone Chairs and Committee Chairs, thank you for your strength during this time, for finding ways to move forward and for letting all of the Lions of District A5 know, they can and will continue to serve, albeit in a new way.

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Minnow Lake Lions, Treat Frontline – Long Term Care Home Workers

SERVING the community during COVID-19,


The Minnow Lake Lions with the Mackenzie family of Tim Hortons donated coffee and doughnuts to Front Line Workers at Finlandia Village.
The Minnow Lake Lions Club will be visiting Long Term Care Homes every Wednesday to support our Front Line Workers and to serve their Community.
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New Liskeard Lions Support Temiskaming Hospital Foundation

Representing the New Liskeard Lions Club, Manju Dagalle (right) Temiskaming Hospital Foundation Rep – Micke Baker (left)

Each year, New Liskeard Lions donate $12,000 divided semi-annually as part of an overall commitment to donate $60,000 to the Temiskaming Hospital Foundation. Social distancing may have limited the number of attendees that could be present, but, the Lions Clubs community spirit is still intact.

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Bruce Mines Aids Food Bank

A5 is very proud of our Lions Clubs this year. Bruce Mines and District Lions Club recognized a need in their Community and then responded to that need generously.

The Bruce Mines and District Lions Club made a donation of $500 to the Bruce Mines and Area Food Bank.

Lions Club President Cheryl Harvey and Food Bank President Jennifer MacMillan.

This picture once again shows how Lions Clubs in A5 are still serving their Communities during this Health Crisis and in doing so are making a real difference to those in need….ROAR!!

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Restoule Lions Club Donates to North Bay Health Centre

from left, President Lion Dave Parrott, Treasurer Lion Bonnie Dugas, Lion Mike Conto, Lion Judy Conto, Secretary Lion John Drage & Lion Marilyn Drage – $1,000.00 donation to North Bay regional Health Care Centre

The Restoule and District Lions is proud to support North Bay Regional Health Centre for their ongoing dedication to the health and welfare of our region. We hope this donation will assist the NBRHC in purchasing needed supplies to enable your staff to continue their work and keep them safe.

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Lions, Rotary, Optimists and Kiwanas Int’l

” We are leveraging the strength of our combined networks of 3.2 million members to provide comfort and hope to those feeling the effects of isolation and fear. And we are focusing our collective skills, resources and ideas to support frontline health workers and first responders as they battle this disease and save lives. ”

To read the full statement of these four international organizations, use the link below.

GlobalOrganizationsJointStatement_en-2Download

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Safety for this Easter Weekend

Happy Easter weekend everyone! We’re only a week away from what would have been the start of the District A5 Convention. It’s hard to believe that it’s not going to happen.

Normally our clubs would be hard at work, providing service, fundraising for causes, having meetings, etc., but that all came to a grinding halt and in the foreseeable, there won’t be any activities that encourage gatherings. Even news casts are done with participants sitting some distance from one another.

This is important Lions. You must stay safe. Your life may depend on it! There is much work for us to do and there will be when this state of emergency has passed. We need to be healthy to get those jobs done later. Unfortunately, encouraging Lions to go out and check on people, would be irresponsible at this time.

There are some clubs that have been able to provide a level of service during this time of need, but, they have done so in conjunction the Public Health Service requirements. Their process has been rigorous and they are being extremely cautious to safe guard them selves and those that are depending on their service.