Author: Rhonda McCallum

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District A5 Backs District Governor Lion David Kidd’s Project

Lions clubs around Northeastern Ontario rallied behind their District Governor from Sault Ste. Marie who appealed for help for a charity that helps children with cancer from the area.

Lion David Kidd, a member of Lions Club of Sault Ste. Marie, asked the more than 1,100 members of 52 clubs in District A-5, from White River to Moosonee and Mattawa to North Bay, to consider making donations to Sudbury-based Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer.

The retired corrections officer thought his request might generate $15,000 to $20,000 in donations from fellow members of the international service organization. Instead, $52,000 was contributed to help families cover expenses when they have to leave the region for cancer treatment. That’s the most any A-5 District Governor has raised for a charity during their year of regional leadership.

Fellow Lions contributed $30,000 to NOFCC by early winter. He thought $35,000 might make for an even better final sum, but the dollars kept coming. A promotion with the Sudbury Wolves brought in $2,500. Business support, including Arthur Funeral Home and Cremation Centre – Barton & Kiteley Chapel and Northbury Hotel and Conference Centre in Sudbury, added to the total. CTV Lions Telethon chipped in.

Copied from The Sault Star

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Schumacher Lions Club’s Annual Awards Banquet

It was a historic night in Schumacher.

The Schumacher Lions Club held its annual Awards Banquet on June 19 in the Lion’s Den.

Not only were six awards handed out during the ceremonies, but for the first-time couples were honoured for their volunteer efforts.

The big prize of the club’s Lion of the Year Award went to Lion Jim Nault. Lion Jim, who is the incoming club president for this fall, chairs the House, Property and Bar Committee (looking after the club hall, bar and supplies), the Health and Wellness Committee (vetting applications for financial assistance requests from sick or disabled individuals) and various other committees. He has been a member of the club since 1981.

The President’s Appreciation Award went to Lion Mark Barkel. Lion Mark was selected by President Danny Ansara for his outstanding leadership and dedication to Lionism.

Four Distinguished Service Awards were handed out. The first went to Lion Dave Hopkins, who is so dedicated that he even stuffed envelops for the club while in the hospital for surgery.

For the first time ever, the club honoured couples as three husband and wife duos received the Distinguished Service Award. These couples all volunteer regularly, are always in good spirits and simply are a joy to work with. The couples were: Guy and Rachelle Kingsbury, Hans and Lisette Beimann, and Pete and Sue Martel.

Congratulations to all the award winners and a special thanks to outgoing President Danny Ansara on leading us to a banner year for service and membership growth.

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Two Sisters from Bruce Mines Lions Celebrate 40 Years as Lions

Yes you read the title correctly, not one but two sisters have recently celebrated their 40th year as Lions.  These two members are from Bruce Mines Lions club, at town of less than 600 residents, is still a vibrant active club in their community.  

The awards were presented by Zone Chair 31 Wst, Lion Debra Kidd (centre) pictured here with Lion Carol Ricard (left) and Lion Mary Lou Belisle (right).  What a way for family to share their love of community and volunteering.  Looking forward to many more years ladies.

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North Bay Lions Serving in Their Community

As one of our international causes, many of the clubs of A5 collect used eyeglasses to send to 3rd world countries.  The North Bay Lions club was busy packing up some of these glasses to send to Sudbury which are then sent by pallet to our Canadian shipper to send overseas.  This is a vital service as many of the people receiving these glasses have never had a pair in their lives.

Pictured left to right Lions Ellen Thibeault, Kim Ransom, Sharon Fleguel, Debra Armstrong and Glenda Chappelle.

 

 

Another important fundraiser that the North Bay Lions are proud to be a part of is the Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie campaign.  All of the funds raised go back to local charities and non-profits such as the Lions clubs and telethons.  Some of the members putting the finishing touches on dozens and dozens of cookies are Lions Ellen Thibeault, Barry Fitzgerald, Frank Perras, Bonnie Fitzgerald, Kim Ransom, and Sharon Fleguel.  What a great job Lions.

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New Liskeard Lions Receive Citizen of the Year Award

New Liskeard Lions Club is the recipient of the Citizen of the Year award from CJTT FM radio.  The Lions were recognized due to their continuing commitment to their community.  Where there is a need, there is a Lion, and the New Liskeard club if the definition of these words.  Congratulations for all of your hard work year round that you do for your community.  You truly do exemplify our motto, “WE SERVE”.

Picture indicates back row from left:

Lion Alf O’Reilly, Lion Rod Brunett, Lion Patrick Smits, Lion Rory Moore, Lion Bill Brookfield, LionPatrick Lafond, Nominee Christal Lafond.

Front row, From reft President Lion Manju Dangalle CJTT Director Operations Elizabeth Allen, Lion Ron Sutton, Lion Eric Campsall, Lion David Lowe.

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Garson Lions Awards to Special Club Members

Wow, has it been that long since Lion Mark Andrews joined the Lions.  The year is 1973.  George Foreman defeats Joe Frazier to win the heavyweight world championship, London Bridge was officially opened, Pink Floyd’s album “Dark Side of the Moon” was released, Billie Jean King defeats Bobby Briggs in the battle of the sexes tennis match, Bruce Lee dies and Lion Mark Andrews became a Lion.  Congratulations on 50 years of serving your community.  We all love you.

Lion President Jack Balliargeon, Lion Mark and Zone Chair Lion Brenda Lalonde

Lion President Jack Balliargeon and Lion Alde

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The Schumacher Lions Club Took Part In IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s

For volunteers with the Schumacher Lions Club, supporting a great community cause is a walk in the park.

The Club was a gold level sponsor for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s on Saturday, May 25 at Hollinger Park in Timmins. The Club donated $1,000 to obtain the gold sponsorship level.

Volunteers set up a tent in the park on the rainy morning, which was perfect for serving up Tim Hortons coffee, tea, Timbits and muffins to participants and spectators. Lions Club members also took part in the walk, including several with individual sponsor sheets to further help the cause.

The idea for sponsorship was first raised by new Lion Brian Green, who works for IG Wealth Management. Like many other fellow Lions, the cause hits close to home. Many members have family or friends who have struggled with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

All funds raised at the event are used by the Timmins-Porcupine District Alzheimer’s Society for local programs and support services.

From left are Lions Eric Beauchamp, Wayne Snider, Mike Charette, Mark Barkel, Don Gagnon and President Danny Ansara.

 

Schumacher Lions Eric Beauchamp, left, and President Danny Ansara didn’t let the rain bother them at the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s on May 25 in Timmins

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A5 Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail

The New Liskeard Lions have once again been selling their Lion’s Easter Bunnies.  These delicious milk chocolate bunnies are a fundraiser for Lions once a year.   Since co-vid, when we did “Bunny drop offs” on doorsteps, the Lions are once again out in the community to sell their chocolate goodies.  These tasty treats were sold at the Riverside Place farmers market in New Liskeard.

Pictured: President Lion Manju Dangalle and Lion Patrick Lafond

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Schumacher Lions Club’s 76th Spring Sportsman Show

It’s an annual sign that summer is just around the corner in the Timmins area.

The 76th edition of the Schumacher Lions Club Spring Sportsman Show was held April 27 and 28 at the McIntyre Arena and Curling Club.

Lion Treasurer John McCauley has been chairing the event for the past 17 shows. He reported the event raised about $43,000 for the club this year. In all, about 7,000 people came through the McIntyre Community Centre complex this year for the show.

It was all hands on deck for volunteers from the club, who worked diligently to set up, host and clean up after the popular community event.

For part of the Saturday, we had student volunteers do a survey of paid attendees. This was divided into home base regions. There were 233 people who came to our show from Sudbury or North Bay. There were more than 1,500 from outside the Timmins area. The reason? Ours is the premier sportsman show in the North. Also, vendors from out of town spent three nights in Timmins.

Sadie the red-tailed hawk swoops over the heads of the audience during the Birds of Prey Show during the Schumacher Lions Club Spring Sportsman Show.
Lions Rachelle and Guy Kingsbury get ready for the opening of the box office for the Schumacher Spring Sportsman Show.
A few of the arena section of the Schumacher Lions Club Spring Sportsman Show. Vendors also filled the curling club and curling club’s lounge areas during the event.
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Welcome Kirkland Lake Lions Club

After 5 long years of hard work, the Kirkland Lake Lions have progressed from a branch club to a full-fledged Lions club. What a journey of hard work and dedication and isn’t that what Lions are all about.
It all started in 2018 when then District Governor Lion Verner Presse and 3 other PDG’s went door to door to find interested persons in getting a Lions club re-started in their area. The original Lions club closed in 2009 and the community hasn’t had a Lions presence since.
Let’s walk with these Lions while they made their journey from branch to full club. In the 2018/2019 year, the club had 9 members and were a branch to the Charlton-Englehart club. One of the first things the Kirkland Lake Club did was to help clean up a local grocery store so that they could re-open after a fire. As a thank you, the store donated baskets to the Lions for their 1st fundraiser, tickets on a draw. They also gave the Lions the space to sell the tickets. The club also manned the kettles for the Salvation
Army at Christmas.
In February of 2019, they hosted their first Family Day event in conjunction with the Winter Carnival. They wanted to revive the memories they had as children growing up in the north. It was the coldest week of February in years!
From late 2019 to early 2021, the club gained in numbers and they inched their way up to 13 club members. During this time came the dreaded shutdowns and unprecedented worldly events called Covid. Thanks to modern technology, they managed to keep in touch with members by hosting meetings online and good old Facebook chat groups. They also had a great idea to keep engaged with the community by hosting online events.
One such event was called “Social Isolation Distraction”, in which they purchased $50.00 grocery gift cards and held draws from Facebook posts.
An example of that was to nominate someone you felt went above and beyond for others. The community loved the distraction and this gave them something good to talk about.
Another event was the online Stuff-A-Bear for a Kid fundraiser. Using advertising on their Facebook page, people could sponsor a stuffed bear that went to North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services children.
They had a total of 100 sponsors sign up to provide bears to kids. The local senior residencies, TPR and Extendicare, came on board. The seniors had a project to stuff and dress the stuffed animals that were purchased.
They also hosted their first Trade-A-Can for a Cone fundraiser. Joining forces with CJ’s Drive In and our local car club, The Road Legends Cruisers, they raised just under $500, along with a truck bed full of food for the Salvation Army Food Bank.
Climbing out of 2021, the Lions were at 15 members and moving into 2022, they rose to 17 members. So close yet still so far away. During 2022, the club was fortunate to have many hands that came along with the new members, to which they were able to create sub-committees to run some great fundraisers, such as Breakfast with the Easter Bunny.
THEN IN DECEMBER 2022, they swore in 3 new members. THEY DID IT!! 20 Members!! MAKING IT OFFICIAL!! As of March 2023, the Kirkland Lake Lions Club officially became the newest club in District A5. Due to other obligations, they decided to celebrate their charter night in October 2023.
This amazing club has had a long journey, but the trip has been worth the effort. The Kirkland Lake Lions are an inspiration to all of Lions in their determination to become a club and make a difference in their community.
Congratulations Kirkland Lake Lions.