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.

Kirkland Lake Lions Branch

Thank you to all that made our day a success!
Approx. 200lbs dry/ canned in donations!
+ $100.20 generous cash donations!
+ $500 from our club = tremendous support!
Thank you to CJ’s Drive In for your kind hearts in supporting this event & the foodbank! Couldn’t do it without you! XO
We sure missed the whole gang of Road Legend Cruisers and the energy they bring with them. Thank you to those that were able to come and you ladies, spectacular outfits!
Congrats to the draw winners:
Coca-cola sign, W. Blakey
Cola glasses, Jason Riddell
Charcuterie board, Julie Reimillard!

 

Kirkland Lake Lions Club Arts & Cultural Fair Event

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kirkland Lake Lions joined forces with the KL Community Arts Committee, KL Museum of Northern History and KL Multicultural Group, to host our first year Arts & Cultural Fair, which was a huge success.
Thankful to local sponsors for their support which allowed free gate entry for the community to enjoy the main show, The Resilience Tour. Featuring local and international musicians, dancers and artists.
We were joined by our local classic car club, Road Legend Cruisers, as well as many local musicians that blessed us by performing half hour shows for the afternoon. Free inflatables were available, after the main show, for the families to enjoy while listening to the stage shows. Amazing day.
One special attraction was the Dunk Tank, our Lion Jim Malherbe was eager to sit on the hot seat and was a great sport for volunteering to be dunked.
In the group pic, from left to right Lions: Jeanette Foy, Jeanne Cloutier, Jen DeLenardo, Stella Malherbe, Jim Malherbe, Shanea Smith and Julia Spadetto-Forward. Manning our Sweet Treats tent where we featured Lions Tails (our version of a beaver tail but WAY BETTER, lol), cotton candy and homemade butter tarts! Of course, the sweets are always a huge hit! Also the perfect opportunity to market our Cotton Candy cart that we have available to rent in our community.

Kirkland Lake Lions Branch Fundraiser

September 18, 2021 saw the Kirkland Lake Lions Branch join with the Road Legend Cruisers for a fun day at CJ’s Drive In, where everyone was asked to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Kirkland Lake Food Bank. They were able to fill the back of a truck and also received $463 in cash donations. There were 47 vehicles registered and was greatly attended by the public. Great Job!!!

 

Kirkland Lake’s 1st Fundraiser

Kirkland Lake Branch Lions Club selling tickets at the Kirkland Lake Mall.  This is their first fundraising effort and they sold out all of the tickets nearly a month ahead of schedule.

The fundraiser was a raffle of three different prizes donated from local merchants in town. Every gift was donated as was the printing of the tickets due to it being the Kirkland Lake Lions first venture.

In the photo selling tickets from right to left is President, Lion Milne Rennie, member,  Lion Jeanne Cloutier and Secretary, Lion Karen Suykens.

Information submitted by ;

Lion Bob Beaven

Kirkland Lake Lions Club

The Kirkland Lake Lions recently attended the Kirkland Lake Volunteer Fair. DG Lion Vern attended the meeting in Kirkland Lake and decided to help at the volunteer table for Lions.
Pictured here is:
DG Lion Vern along with some of the members of The Kirkland Lake Lions and DG Lion Vern Presse and Lion Bob Beaven at the Kirkland Lake Volunteer
Fair

Our newest club, the Kirkland Lake Lions are off to a roaring start, helping out the Foodland grocery store clean up following a roof fire earlier this year which caused major smoke and water damage. Before opening, the store needed to be cleaned top to bottom.
The Lions stepped up to help in the store cleaning so that it could be reopened on time. Cleaning shelves are Lions Jennifer Rodgers, Karen Suykens and Jeanne Cloutier. Lion Milne Renne and Lion Karen posed for a picture in front of the Lions information table.
As a thank you for all the help, Foodland allowed the Lions to have a food drive to help the local foodbank. The Lions filled over 5 shopping carts to donate their local community.

Thanks to all of the Lions for helping their community stay strong. A big Lions Roar.
Pictured with the shopping cart is Lions Grand McComb and Karen Suykens