The Westport Lions with their crazy socks to mark International Down Syndrome Day.
Westport Lions Roar
By Lion Bob Reddick
At the Westport Lions March 22 meeting, all attending members received a pair of colourful, crazy socks. Why such an odd gift? People all over the world on March 21 wear socks that are going to get noticed. They could be mismatched socks or your craziest and most colourful socks. The purpose of wearing them is to start a conversation, so when people ask you about your socks, you can tell them, “I’m wearing them to raise awareness of Down Syndrome.” The term Down Syndrome comes from the doctor who first described the condition, John Langdon Down.
People with Down Syndrome have three copies of 21st chromosome instead of a pair. One in 700 babies born each year has this extra chromosome.
The idea of wearing crazy socks was created because if the 21st chromosome is properly stained, it looks like a striped sock. March 21 was chosen because March is the third month which represents three copies of the chromosome, and 21st stands for the chromosome affected. So next year, wear your craziest socks and start a conversation.
The club welcomed visitor Richard Gore to the meeting. Richard is interested in serving his community and wanted to check out the Westport Lions Club to see if it is a good fit for him. Visitors are always welcome to attend the meetings which are held every second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. An optional dinner begins at 6:20 and the meeting starts at 7:00 p.m.
Other alternatives to attending a meeting are volunteering at any of our activities or attending the club’s Recruitment and Event Sign Up Night on April 12 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the clubhouse. More information about this event will be in next week’s edition.
Lion Harry Beckett, dispatcher for the Medical Mobility Service reported that from March 1 – 20, the Westport Lions Club received 23 requests for transportation to medical appointments, and the club was able to accommodate 19 of those requests.
Please support this program by attending the annual Medical Mobility Service breakfast at The Cove on April 16 from 8:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Westport Lions Club 