We Serve
Every year, Lions Clubs provide bursaries for students intent on furthering their education. This year, in excess of $28,000 has been made available to institutions of higher education and/or students to pursue that goal. These donations assist in easing the expenses incurred by students during their pursuit of dreams. Bursaries link; http://lionsdistricta5.ca/bursaries-supported-by-district-a5-clubs/
October 2020
The Sudbury Teachers Lions Club (TLC) lived up to their moniker this past fall when they ensured students at a local school who were in need of Boots and Shoes, received them.
The Vice Principal of the school sent a list of the sizes that they needed.
TLC members shopped for the items and delivered them to the school, providing 20 pairs of shoes and 8 pairs of boots for a warmer winter.
DGLion Anne Dechaine addresses Lions in District A5.
” 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.
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.
Lions would normally be in the forefront of any situation, providing service, relief or applying for funds to provide remediation in a disaster. So, what can Lions do now? What kind of service can they provide? It’s not in their nature to be thinking only of their own well-being. They have communities to defend.
By now, we’re familiar with the terms ‘social distancing’ and ‘isolation’. It’s what is needed at this time and we hope that all of our Lions family are being vigilant and observing the requirements to keep them safe.
There are challenges. For some with pre-existing health issues, isolation provides limited exposure and the ability to keep possible sources of contamination away from them, but, it could also be tremendously lonely. Seniors who still live in their own homes and have to stay away from the very things that bring meaning into their day to day lives are suffering. With just over 2,000 cases in Canada, it may not seem like a lot, but, the potential for disaster is lurking in that little virus. Globally, we’re on our way to containing it and hopefully, over the next month or so, we will be able to see the end of one of the most devastating health issues that has been seen in this country since SARS.
We’ve also seen the mercenary side of living in a crisis situation. It’s something that goes on everyday around the globe, but, is also something we in North America believed we were above. It showed the baser side of humanity – hoarding products, fighting in stores over toilet paper, buying up essential supplies and reselling them online at a profit. That’s not us, that’s not our nature, or so we thought.
There are service opportunities – neighbours who we know need something and can’t get out can have it delivered by one of those who check on them to ensure they are ok and have what they need. Meals provided to seniors, not by Meals on Wheels, which has provided this service for years, but, by organizations with commercial kitchens where all functions have been cancelled. Masks being made by individuals with sewing machines to provide to front-line service workers at hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes and clinics, but, also to service providers in trucking, construction, food service. And those within the homeopathy group providing recipes for the use of essential oils, vinegar, rubbing alcohol and hand-sanitizer.
This too shall pass and then there will be even more to do to assist in re-building the community connections, supporting the most vulnerable and bringing a sense of well-being back. But, for now, stay safe and wash, wash, wash!
Minnow Lake Lions partnered with Our Children Our Future to host their annual Family Fun Day in August. The free event is held every year for the residents of Minnow Lake and area. Kids and parents alike had a great time. A bouncy castle, face painting, lots of great eats and treats and loads of fun, Service Professionals from Greater Sudbury Police, Fire Service and Paramedic services were on site, interacting with the kids, showing them the more playful side of Emergency Services.
Every summer the Southeast Manitoulin Lions club hosts Summerfest which relies on many volunteers to assist. On Oct 23/18 they held a chili supper of appreciation to which all the volunteers were invited.
Lion Carmen Portelance serving tea to some guests.
For the fourth year, the Onaping Fall Lions ladies have hosted a Women’s Only tea.
Vendors are welcomed from the communities, however, all businesses in attendance must be owned by Women. Each attendee received a thank you gift as well as getting in on a chance to win one of the door prizes.
A sold out event! Congratulations Onaping Falls Lions ladies team.