Dorothy Maynard Chosen as Lion of the Year

Lion Dorothy Maynard (centre) being presented with the honour of Lion of the Year for 2019/20. From left to right are Lions Marty Hawkins, Gary Warriner, Larry Arsenault and Wayne Bent.

Westport Lions Roar

By Lion Bob Reddick

The Westport Lions Club is proud to announce that Lion Dorothy Maynard has been selected Lion of the Year for 2019/20. This well-deserved honour is given to the Lion in recognition of exceptional accomplishments towards the Lions Club of Westport.

This is not the first time Dorothy has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the community. She has been chosen Westport’s volunteer of the month for spending countless hours driving the Westport Lions mobility vans.

Lion Dorothy drove a school bus for 35 years. When she retired, she thought she could use her skills to assist others through the Lions Medical Mobility Van Service. After she learned more of what the Lions Club does, she wanted to expand her service to the community so she applied to join the club. When asked why she joined the Westport Lions, she replied, “I like the way the Lions Club helps members of the community and beyond.”

Since joining the club in 2017, Dorothy has never looked back. She is one of those people that quietly and without fanfare is willing to tackle any job given. For the last couple of years, she has been chairperson of the $10,000 draw and the distribution of Christmas cakes to seniors.

From all accounts, this year of giving out the cakes was a big success. Several members commented that the experience was a heart-warming endeavour because the recipients were so appreciative. The seniors enjoyed the attached hand written notes written by local elementary students.

In addition to the above leadership roles, Dorothy has been one of the Lions members that clean the clubhouse and part of a group of volunteers that cleaned the beach change rooms. She can always be counted on to sell tickets and has helped at all seven dinners put on by the club in 2019.

Dorothy willingly promotes Lionism at every opportunity. She takes her responsibility for fostering good relations with neighbouring Lion clubs seriously. She has participated in Lion functions in Elgin, Seeley’s Bay, Sharbot Lake and attended the district conference in Cornwall.

All members of the Westport Lions Club are happy with the selection of Dorothy Maynard as Lion of the Year. Congratulations Dorothy.