Author: Rhonda McCallum

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Schumacher Lions – Welcome to Timmins Night

Every year, an event called Welcome to Timmins Night is held at the McIntyre Arena. Volunteer and community organizations have booths to showcase their groups to people in Timmins looking to get involved.

Five volunteers from the Schumacher Lions Club represented the organization to provide information on Lions and the Leo Club we are launching. About 1,200 people attended the event, which was open to the public from 6-8 p.m.

Volunteers were involved with the setup and teardown of our booth before and after the event, plus committee meetings to organize and plan.

We received a great reception from people in attendance, and used free freshly made popcorn as an attention draw. We had many enquiries about Lions and Leos and answered all questions to the best of our abilities.

Members of the Schumacher Lions Club were photobombed by Marvel Comics hero Deadpool during Welcome to Timmins Night in September. Lions were on hand to promote their club and the Leo Club they plan to launch. From left are Lions Rachelle Kingsbury, Eric Beauchamp and Wayne Snider (blocked by Deadpool).

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District Governor Lion Sam’s Project

At the first cabinet meeting this year, the District Governor’s project was unveiled.  The monies collected this year will be given accordingly to the three hospices in Northern Ontario.  The Maison McCulloch Hospice in Sudbury, The Nipissing Serenity Hospice in North Bay and the Algoma Residential Community Hospice (ARCH) in Sault Ste. Marie.  Pictured here is the kick-off to the campaign with an initial presentation to the Maison McCulloch Hospice.  Julie Aubé is the Executive Director of the hospice with District Governor Lion Sam Khoury.

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Schumacher Lions Help Local Canadian Tire Jump Start Program

Members of the Schumacher Lions Club spent two days at the Canadian Tire in Timmins on a June weekend to help encourage shoppers to donate to the Jump Start program. Jump Start collects funds to help local children participate in organized sports and other activities.

Members made popcorn and candy floss, which were given away free of charge to donors. Free children’s face painting was also provided.

There was a carnival-like atmosphere at the event, as bounce activities, fire department displays, and a visit by Spider-Man created lots of community interest.

Lions Guy and Rachelle Kingsbury led the volunteers on popcorn and candy floss duty, also teaching other Lions how to make the treats. Lion Codey Cloutier and prospective member Brittny Merenda, both talented artists, handled the face painting.

Canadian Tire is a big local supporter of Lions and the Schumacher Club’s help with the Jump Start program has become an annual event.

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Kirkland Lake Lions Start Compassionate Meal Service

In July 2024, the KL Lions Club kicked off there year with a new to their community Compassionate Meal Service.
Every third Saturday of the month, the KL club hosts a free and nutritious take out meal for those in need.
Our Compassionate Meal Service co-ordinator, Lion Shanea Smith states, “As we work closely with our KL Food Bank & Salvation Army, our club recognized a need in our community for food assistance, to help people make it to the next pay or stretch their income until the end of the month. This is a small gesture to assist those in need with a nutritious meal. Our residents have been very supportive in sponsoring meals for our initiative, and for that, we are grateful”

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Argyle Lions Jail and Bail

The Argyle Lions held a jail and bail at the local farmers market. Community members volunteered to be locked up for trumped-up charges in a makeshift jail in the hope that their friends and relatives would bail them out. Because of the generosity of all in attendance $687.35 was raised for the local Kenny Youth Program. All in attendance had a lot of fun and everyone got a laugh from the trumped-up charges.

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A5 Celebrating Milestones

Sault Ste. Marie Lions President Deb Kid presented Lion Don Cameron with his 40 year chevron.

Zone Chair 47E Lion Brenda McLay Lalonde presented at 45 year chevron to PDG Lion Ellen Fletcher, from Noelville French River Lions.

ZC Lion Brenda gave a presidential pin to Lion Leanne Furchner of Minnow Lake Lions in gratitude for all the advice and support she has given to the ZC over the past several years.

Another great story from Garson is the presentation of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award to a very deserving member, Lion Alde Bedard.  Although he has not been a member for decades, he is one of the most active and dedicated members of the Garson Lions.  Whatever you need, Lion Alde is there.  Congratulations to a wonderful Lion.

Pictured: Lion President Jack Baillargeon and Lion Alde

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.

Pictured: Lion President Jack Baillargeon, Lion Mark and Zone Chair 47E Lion Brenda Lalonde

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A5 at MDA 2024 Convention

It has been a few years that District A5 has been working to get more of our Lions to attend an MDA convention.  Normally, there would only have been 4 members, the incoming and outgoing DG’s and spouses.  In the last couple of years, we have been slowly increasing our numbers up to 7, 9 and this year there were 20 of us that attended.

In addition to attending meetings and seminars, this year was special in that MDA had 3 candidates running for International Director for Canada, PDG Lion Debbie Dawson, PDG Lion Dan Sibana and PDG Lion Len Day.  The joint hospitality room was a great hit with everyone and the variety of food as well as drinks was thoroughly enjoyed.  On  Saturday night, we were also invaded by some strange beings that came into the hospitality room and gave everyone a great laugh.

It was great to meet the incoming International President Fabricio Oliveira and his lovely wife Amariles, and to get a chance to talk to them through their interpreter.  Lion Brenda McLay was able to speak to the President briefly and gave him a gift of a stuffed guide dog puppy along with pamphlets from the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs.  He was greatly impressed with all of the different types of dogs that are trained and said that “He had never seen anything like this before.”

One of the highlights of the weekend was when the DGE’s were introduced, including our own DGE Lion Sam Khoury.

Next year, we hope to have even more of our Lions attend the MDA convention as word of the fun time spread.

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New Liskeard Lions BBQ Fundraiser

New Liskeard BBQ, fundraising.  They have recently lost one of their major fundraisers and are having BBQ’s to try and help make up with this loss.  Fundraisings are especially important to the Lions clubs in order to help their communities.  Some of the beneficiaries of the New Liskeard Lions include a Lions youth Hockey team, donations to the hospital, helping out individuals.

Here’s hoping to lots of good weather for your BBQ’s over the summer.

The 1st hot dog sale went to Michael Davy, owner of the Davy’s Independent Grocers in New Liskeard.

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Callander Lions Bike Rodeo

The Callander Lions held a bike rodeo at the M.T. Davidson Public School with great results.  The rodeo is run by the Almaguin Highlands Lions Club, who brings all of the obstacles for the rodeo, as well as the ribbons, bells, reflectors, etc.  The Callander Lions paid for the bells and trophies to hand out to the participants and helped to run the rodeo.

First the bikes are inspected and bells or reflectors are put on to bring the bikes up to Ontario safety code.  Then the children come out one grade at a time and go through the obstacle courses.  The last part, the kids have to show they know the hand signals, and if not, are taught them.  Everyone gets a ribbon for participating

Later, the Principal, Heather Taylor, holds an assembly to give out the trophies to the winners in each category.  A big Thank You to PDG Lion Bill Copeman, Lion Suzanne Copeman and Bill for travelling from Almaguin Highlands area to put on this rodeo with the Callander Lions.  A great time was had by the Lions and the kids as well

A bit of history, the travelling bike rodeo was started 50 years ago by a Magnetawan Lion PDG Lion Earl Box and a local police officer.  The Almaguin Lions has been running it for many years and this year have done approximately 18 schools in the area.

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Bonfield Lions & Canada Day Celebrations

The Lions always support their community and the Bonfield Canada Day was no exception.  On the Canada Day weekend, the Bonfield Lions set put their tent to sell “Duckies” as a fundraiser.  This is an annual fundraiser and a lot of fun for the community as a whole.  In addition, the club takes care of all the maintenance and repairs and tours of the train and “Zero Mile” display in the park.

The township had a free BBQ and cake to celebrate the day, as well as vendors, a bike rodeo for the kids and other fun activities.  The Bonfield firemen were there in force with their display and to give mouth to mouth for anyone who felt faint.    We had a few ladies that wouldn’t have minded.  lol

In the afternoon, the big event of the day got ready to go ahead, the Duck Race.  500 yellow duck of all styles were sorted and loaded into the wagon and taken to the bridge at the head of the river.  They were loaded onto a tarp and with the help of our friendly firemen, they were dumped into the river and the race was on.

At the assigned location, the Lions and volunteers were ready to catch the first 3 ducks as the winners.  This included a spotter to make sure the first three were picked out by the Lions in the river.  The winning numbers of 364, 499 and 500 came in and prizes were awarded of $250.00, $150.00 and $100.00.  All of the proceeds of the duck race went to a hockey team from Corbeil, Astorville and Bonfield, which is part of the Bonfield Lions area.

It was this reporter’s first time seeing a duck race in person it was a lot of fun.  Boy can those ducks swim fast.  You have to be on the ball to grab the first three across the finish line.  The only thing left after that was to catch the rest of the ducks and put them away again for the next time they were needed.  It took some convincing to get some of the kids to not take their ducks home with them as they would be needed again next year.  Great time and race.