Westport Lions Club

David Egan (centre) representing the Westport Seniors Group accepts a cheque from Lions Bill Garland (left) and Bruce Paterson (right).

Westport Lions Roar

By Lion Bob Reddick

Last week, I shared the Westport Lions Club highlights and accomplishments from January to June 2023.  This week, I will recap significant events from July to December.

July

The Westport Lions kicked off the new Lion year by celebrating Canada Day at the beach. The event was focused on family-friendly activities to commemorate Canada’s 156th birthday. Attendees enjoyed free food, music, face painting, a Mountie photo stand-in board, beach toys, temporary tattoos, hay bale rolls, and prizes for the winners of the “What Canada Means to Me” contest.

Over 60 drawings were submitted, and the winners of the various categories were Meeka Bell, Anna Purdon, Grace Monster, Jack McNichols, Ajax Lee, Hadley Lynn, Sarah Bardales, Maci Rae Dawson, Everly, Emma McNichols, Charlie Sitchon, Avery Biscaro, Isaac Bardales, Alexis Korenis, Maria Korenis, Hailey Smith, and Imogen Roberts.  All the 20 winners received an ice cream cone courtesy of Vanilla Bean in Westport. 

The winner of the Westport Lions $1,500 Cash Draw was Cathy McBride from Westport.  The $500 second prize went to Clem Tinan.  Denise Tobin of Westport won the 50-50 draw, worth $170.00.

July 15th was a busy day for the Westport Lions Club.  Eleven teams participated in the 9th annual Rock the Beach volleyball tournament held at the beach.  At the same time over 300 people enjoyed the music of Harry Adrain and friends at the Lions’ Westfest sponsored by Josh Doornekamp of Aarde Construction.  Meanwhile, seven volunteers from the Westport Club helped the Athens Lions with their weekend-long Farmerville Exhibition. As always, on Friday and Saturday, there was a group of Lions ready to serve you at the Reuse and Recycle Centre located at 5295 Salem Road.

August

Lion Bruce Blair transferred from Perth Lions to Westport Lions due to a residence change. Local seniors enjoyed one of four free luncheons provided by the Club at the clubhouse.

September

For over 40 years, the $10,000 draw has been a significant fundraising event for the Westport Lions. It’s a testament to the community’s positive support that the Club sells all the tickets every year. Apart from the grand prize of $10,000, there are other prizes awarded for predetermined tickets drawn. This year, the following non-grand prize winners were:

• Greg and Krista Scorsone received $100 for the 1st ticket drawn.
• Michelle Cloutier received $100 for the 100th ticket drawn.
• Eleanor Bresee received $100 for the 175th ticket drawn.
• Sawdust received $100 for the 4th last ticket drawn.
• Elise Chikwehwa received $100 for the 3rd last ticket drawn.
• Lisa Lane received $100 for the 2nd last ticket drawn.

Marsha Dawn Thake of Brockville was the lucky winner of the $10,000 grand prize. She was born and raised in Westport.

October

The Westport Lions Club was busy during October with several activities. They hosted a luncheon for 35 seniors, closed the Reuse and Recycle Center, conducted vision screening in local schools, prepared for Halloween and the Santa Claus parade, visited the Elgin Lions Club, and repaired the property and winterized equipment.

Lion Jim McGlade and his 5-member team tested the vision of 36 students at Rideau Vista and 18 at St. Edward.  Of those tested, only two students received notice that they should be further examined by an optometrist. 

The vision chairperson, McGlade, reported that he had sent 3,150 eyeglasses to the Kemptville Lions Club for categorization and cleaning before they were sent to Ghana. All types of eyeglasses can be dropped off at the Westport Village Pharmacy, The Rideau Medical Centre in Newboro, the Community Health Centre in Westport, or to any Lion member.

Lion Bill Garland, chairperson of the Halloween committee, and his helpers bagged and served candy for 250 young people on October 31.

November

To support diabetes awareness month across the globe, a pride of Lions handed out resources and information to combat this chronic disease.  The purpose of the Lions’ Diabetes Tag Day is to educate the community about diabetes and show the club’s support for individuals living with diabetes by donating money to fund education, support services, advocacy, and diabetes research.

The Westport Lions disbursed $12,300 to 16 different organizations this past fall, bringing the total for 2023 to $26,300. This amount does not include money collected by the club for the food bank, toy drive and diabetes.

Representatives of the Westport Lions honoured those who gave their lives at the Remembrance Day services in Newboro and Westport.

On November 22, Lion Robert Sentner from the Kemptville Lions Club visited the Westport Lions’ den to receive a donation from the Westport Lions towards the purchase of a new Handheld Vision Screener that will be used on future Vision Care Projects in Guyana, South America.

On November 24, a Pride of Lions participated in Westport Arts Council’s Christmas Market selling the few remaining 2024 Cash Calendars and Christmas cakes. The club also provided free hot chocolate to attendees.  

Lion Marty Hawkins, director of this year’s Santa Claus parade, says, “There were 38 entrants in the parade, and 38 businesses donated money to make this year’s parade possible.”  The Westport Lions thank all participants, volunteers and sponsors who helped to make the parade a smashing success.

The Westport Daycare won the award for the float that displayed the closest to the theme of a Gingerbread Christmas. Maple Rock Holsteins had the best overall float, and the Elgin Lions Club received an honourable mention for their RIVER QUEEN. Dan Patterson won the new award for the best gingerbread dog. 

Westport Lion Jim Scala presented Athens Lions President Tim Sargent with a cheque in appreciation of the generous support of Kevin & George Tackaberry. Kevin and George allow the Westport Lions to use their building at 5229 Salem Road free of charge for the club’s Reuse and Recycle Centre. Knowing that the Tackaberry family would not personally accept a donation, the Westport Lions decided to donate to the Athens Lions Club to show its appreciation.

December

On the morning of December 2, the Westport Lions Club distributed 325 Christmas cakes to seniors in the area. They also delivered cakes to former residents who now live in Carolina Court, Lanark Lodge, and the Perth Community Care Centre.

Jan Gagnon, chairperson for the Lions Toy Drive, with the help of Lions Kim Kelly, Barb Fritz, Kris Henderson Klatt, and Jeannette Harper, prepared 43 Christmas gift bags, compared to last year’s 23. A special thanks to Jan Gagnon for spending many hours to ensure that all local children have a wonderful Christmas. Jan graciously said, “I am grateful and amazed at how the community shows up year after year to support the Westport Lions Club Toy Drive.”