Westport Lions Club

Westport Lions members have been setting out picnic tables and cleaning the grounds for the summer season.  The club is still looking for volunteers to clean the change rooms.

Westport Lions Roar

By Lion Bob Reddick

The Westport Lions Club is looking for reliable, dependable volunteers to help clean the changing rooms. Volunteers would need to open and clean the change rooms/washrooms one day a week and do a quick walk around the property and use a grabber to pick up any garbage.

The club will provide all the cleaning supplies, including rubber gloves. Total time required is approximately 20 minutes as the beach is usually clean. In the last five years, not one cleaner has reported a mess. 

The Westport Lions are happy to accommodate your schedule. If you clean in the morning, you could start any time, but it would be best to have the washrooms open by 10:00 a.m. In the evening, the club would prefer the washrooms be cleaned and locked up not before 7:00 p.m.

If you can help the Westport Lions Club maintain our beautiful beach, please call Lion Bob Reddick at 613-273-3499 or 613-583-2062 or email breddick@rideau.net. If you leave a message, please include your contact information and your preferred time and day for cleaning. 

May was a busy month for the Westport Lions, and many activities are planned for June and July as well.  The general meeting on May 11 packed in a lot of informational and organizational business. 

After taking care of some internal business, President Michael Harris reported on the District A4 Convention.  The highlight of the convention, at least from Lion Rick Warriner’s perspective was his winning the sizeable 50-50 draw.

Lion Wayne Bent reported on the status of Canada Day celebrations in the absence of chairperson Lion Joanne O’Neill. The committee is working hard to book alternative activities due to previous vendors going out of business.

Lion Marty Hawkins received a tremendous applause for volunteering to chair this year’s Santa Claus Parade.  Planning this event is a Herculean task that requires months of preparation.  Many members gave a sigh of relief when Marty stepped up to do this job.

Saturday, June 11 will be a busy day for the Westport Lions Club.  At noon the club will cater to 40 participants of the Stittsville Lions Car Scavenger Hunt.  Then from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. you can enjoy the Westport Lions annual Fish Fry at the Lions Beach House.  Tickets are $18 each and the event will be take out only.  However, the club has obtained additional picnic tables for you to enjoy your fish, french fries, coleslaw, and Rick’s baked beans at the beach.  Tickets are available from any Lions member. 

Lion Bill Garland reported the club is on pace for a record year in selling Spring Draw tickets.  With warmer weather on the way, Lion Bill will organize selling teams to be at Kudrinko’s, Circle K and the post office.   

Lion Wayne Bent gave a status report on Westport Lions barbecue on June 23.  This event is only for Lions in District A4.  The barbecue is a major fundraiser for the club to maintain the beach house and beach.

Lion Bob Reddick confirmed that the club has added another four, four by eight-foot garden beds. This brings the total to 22 plots. The Lions garden team will maintain nine beds for the local food bank. 

The PITCH-In initiative collected 41 bags of roadside garbage and 280 beer bottles.  Lion Marty Hawkins was thanked for preparing a lunch for volunteers that allowed them to relax and enjoy each others company. 

President Michael Harris communicated a report on the Reuse and Recycle Centre prepared by Lions Cheryl Couper Scala and Jim Scala.  Business at the centre has been brisk in the first three weeks.  The new point of sale, debit and credit terminal system is working great, with more than 60% of sales using this method of payment.  Donations are steady but the R & R Centre is looking for a dedicated pick-up team. 

Renovations to the centre have come under budget because of donated materials and Lions providing the labour.  Lions Danny “Boomer” Lewis and Jim Scala are working on covering the inner walls of the garage, installing shelves, and constructing a loading dock.  Lions Wayne “Smokey” Sherwood finished some electrical chores, and Donna and Bill Garland and Cheryl Couper painted the front office. 

The Lions Reuse and Recycle Centre is open every Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Starting on June 2 it will be open on Thursdays from 10 to 1:00 p.m.