Westport Lions Club

Lion David Blair is getting an early start with PITCH-IN on Noonan Road.

Westport Lions Roar

By Lion Bob Reddick

At our April 13 general meeting, the Westport Lions passed a motion to donate $13,810 to 15 worthy organizations.  The club can donate this amount is due to the outstanding support of the community and local businesses like Herlehey Building Centre, Watercolours Westport, Northland Power, Arcade, and Circle K. These sponsorships allow the club to distribute 100% of the profits.    

If you are a walker or a cyclist, you will have noticed an incredible amount of garbage on area roads.  The Westport Lions in conjunction with Rideau Lakes Township invites you to participate in the PITCH-IN program during April 17 – 30.

To support the township’s initiative, the Westport Lions are organizing a PITCH-IN day on April 30 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Participants will meet at the clubhouse at 63 Mountain Road and will be given bags and assigned an area road.  At 11:30, volunteers will gather back at the clubhouse to enjoy a barbeque lunch provided by the Club.  This is an opportunity for families to enjoy a memorable time together. What can be better than spending time with your grandchildren or children working together to keep our environment clean?

Yellow PITCH-IN bags are available from the libraries or the township office free of charge.  Please place only roadside litter in the bags and leave them for your regular garbage pick-up or bring them to the clubhouse for disposal. No tags are required.

If you have any questions or wish to participate, please contact Lion Bob Reddick at breddick@rideau.net. so, the club can obtain sufficient bags and food.

Westport Lions made history at this general meeting. Lions Jim McGlade who has been a Lion for 51 years, and Rick Warriner for 34 years, said it is the first time they can recall that the club has ever held an election to fill positions on the executive. The club thanks the Lions that ran for a position on the executive.

Next year’s executive will be President: Bob Reddick, Past President: Michael Harris, Vice President: David Blair, Secretary: Dorothy Maynard, Treasurer: Gary Warriner, Service Chairperson: Marty Hawkins, Membership Chairperson: Kim Kelly, Marketing and Communications Chairperson: Barry Winfield and Directors: Wayne Bent and Bill Garland.

The Reuse and Recycle Centre located at 5295 on the Salem Road will be open for the season starting on Friday, April 22 from 10:00 to 1:00 p.m.  The centre will be open every Friday and Saturday until June 2, when it will add Thursdays to the days of operation.  There will be additional information in next week’s column.

The remainder of the meeting included a presentation by Donna Easter from ThreadArt at Studio 32 to outline the options available to club members to purchase Lion apparel. 

Lions Joanne Norris and Barb Fritz volunteered to chair the Lions’ Canada Day celebrations at the beach. 

Lion Dave Blair reported on the Medical Mobility Services breakfast.  Dave thanked everyone involved, especially Tracy and Bryan Colford and the community for their support.  The total raised at this year’s breakfast was $7,380. 

Lion Wayne Bent is organizing a trip to the Thousand Islands Playhouse in Gananoque for the membership to enjoy a musical called Back in 59.

Lion Marty Hawkins reported that he had received a cheque from Dr. Deb Hutchinson for the purchase of two aluminum picnic tables in the memory of her father and former Westport Lion Lee Hutchinson.  Dr. Hutchinson’s letter stated the great memories her father had from his time as a Westport Lion.  Also, Dr. Hutchinson had fond memories of learning to swim and as a swimming instructor at the beach.