Schumacher Lions had a tasty fundraiser to help feed local families at Christmas.
The club participated in the Timmins Hortons Holiday Smile Cookies Campaign for the second straight year.
Every year, the Tim Hortons chain of coffee shops makes and sells holiday smile cookies for a week. A portion of the sale of these cookies go to a local charity. Once again, the Timmins locations of Tim Hortons selected the Stan Fowler Christmas Fund, which is managed by the Schumacher Lions Club.
Funds raised for the Fund are used to purchase food vouchers to help local families in need with children buy food at Christmas. Last year, more than 500 food vouchers were distributed, each with a $150 value.
Every grocery store in Timmins participates, except for Walmart (which opted out a few years back). Vouchers must be used to purchase groceries (no tobacco or alcohol). No change is given, so a participant can spend a few dollars and cash out the rest. Participants must show photo idea when spending their voucher.
Stan Fowler was a firefighter in Timmins. He started the fund in 1947 to help young families with children. As the years went on, it grew and grew. So, he went to the local Lions Clubs. At one time there were three Lions Clubs in the Porcupine Camp. They all pitched in at Christmas.
For the last 20 years or so, the Schumacher Lions have taken on the responsibility of the Stan Fowler Christmas Fund.
For the cookie campaign, Lions paired up to work three-hour shifts baking, decorating and packaging the cookies. These specialty Holiday Smile Cookies are decorated to have two eyes and a smile put on with icing.
Two shifts of two Lions (or a Lion and a guest) each worked at two different Timmins Hortons storefronts every day for a week.
A couple weeks later, Tim Hortons presented the club with a cheque for $10,021.26.
All the Lions reported having a blast baking and decorating the cookies. Staff were very helpful in training the Lions to make the cookies.
It was the perfect way for Schumacher Lions Club members to start the holiday season.
On October 30th, 2024, the Kirkland Lake Lions club received the delightful news that they were the chosen recipients of the ‘100 Women Who Care Kirkland Lake & Area’ award for their Compassionate Meal Service community initiative, winning by a single vote. The initial donation was a generous $6,200.00. Then, on December 12th, 2024, the Kirkland Lake Club was further honoured with a cheque for $10,200.00 from the local ‘100 Women Who Care Kirkland Lake & Area’. They are immensely honoured and thrilled to have additional funds to support their Compassionate Meal Service for those in need. Since starting this community service in July 2024, they have consistently provided 55-60 meals during each service. Starting in January 2025, their initiative will expand to assist seniors in need, in addition to the many families they currently serve. They are passionate about their service and their community!
