Members of the Westport Lions Club. (Photo Credit: Pat Reddick)
By Lion Bob Reddick
January is often a time for reflection, celebrating past accomplishments and perhaps setting goals for the coming year. Over the next two weeks, I will share some highlights and achievements of the Westport Lions Club during 2024.
January
Evelyn Golden from Dowling, located northwest of Sudbury, won $1,000 for having the first number drawn in the Lions’ 2024 Cash Calendar. Her sister, Joyce Byrne from Westport, bought Evelyn the calendar.
February
In the spirit of cooperation, Westport Lion Jim McGlade travelled to Athens to explain to 30 Lions the contents of the vision kit and how it works. Vision screening is not a new activity for the Athens Lions Club. However, due to COVID, the club has not conducted any vision screening since 2018. The Westport Lions Club conducts vision screening programs in two local elementary schools.
The Athens club implemented a different approach by offering a free skate along with complementary vision screenings at the arena.
The club passed a motion to donate funds to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB). CNIB Lake Joe has been providing enriching camp experiences for Canadians with sight loss for over 60 years. This accessible camp is located in Muskoka, Ontario and is renowned for encouraging children to shine, empowering youth to thrive, and offering recreational pursuits to young people of all ages.
March
Thirty Lions from Elgin and Westport were entertained by the Westport Area Senior Association (WASA) with a fashion show like no other. Each model’s outfit was a play on words. For example, a “turtleneck sweater” had a crocheted turtle pinned to the top, the “checked” pants had cheques glued on them, “fishnet” stockings had attached fish and a “pillbox” hat was constructed from a box and pill bottles.
Lion Kris Henderson Klatt organized a new fundraising initiative of selling chocolate Easter bunnies. All proceeds from the sale of the bunnies went to childhood cancer, one of the five Lion pillars of service.
The Westport Lions inducted Patricia McParland and Randal Goodfellow into the club. Both new members have a wealth of organizational and communication skills and have shown that they are willing to get involved in club events and activities. Patricia serves as co-secretary of the club, while Randal was one of the driving forces that established a new trailhead for the Rideau Trail.
April
The seven drivers of the Medical Mobility Service (MMS) made 144 trips transporting clients to medical appointments in 2024. To help fund this program, on Sunday, April 7, the Colford family, along with The Cove staff and volunteers raised $7,400 at the MMS breakfast. Approximately 300 people enjoyed french toast with fresh maple syrup, meat patties, sausages, and home fries.
On Saturday, April 20, twelve Lions and seven community volunteers picked up 49 bags of garbage along area roads. This garbage was collected in only two hours on a relatively short span of roads. Most of the litter was plastic pop or water bottles and beverage cans, which can all be recycled. The Pitch-In group estimated that 80 to 90% of the litter could be recycled. At 11:30 a.m., the group met at the Lions’ clubhouse and enjoyed pizza, salad and homemade pie organized by Lion Marty Hawkins.
On April 26th, a 25-member team opened the Lions’ Reuse and Recycle Centre (R&R) for its fourth season. In addition to selling donated items, the R & R offers online sales through its Facebook page, accepts metal and electronic items, lends out medical equipment and is a drop-off location for lead fishing tackle in support of the Wolfe Lake Association.
On Saturday, April 27, the Tackaberry family hosted a private viewing of Tack’s Toys for over 100 Lions representing 13 Lions clubs. George Tackaberry and his family are always willing to support area Lions Clubs in their fundraising projects. The Westport Lions Club has free use of the company’s building at 5295 Salem Road for its Reuse and Recycle Centre.
May
For the spring disbursements, the club donated $14,600 to 18 different organizations.
The Westport Lions Community Garden entered its fourth year providing a place where people can grow food for themselves and the Westport Food Bank.
The Westport Lions Beach opened with upgrades to the washrooms, expanded parking lot, removal of dead trees and a refurbished and newly painted gazebo.
During the club’s last meeting in May, incoming District Governor Lion Roxanne Backes presented service chevrons to Lions Gary Warriner for 40 years, Dale Lyons for 25 years, Barry Winfield for 15 years, and Jim Scala for 10 years.
June
On June 6, a group of Lions attended a memorial service at the Legion to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day. It was a very moving and well-executed ceremony.
On Saturday, June 8th, a team of Lions were available to answer questions and showcase the club’s three environmental initiatives at EcoFest which was held in the arena. These initiatives include the Reuse and Recycle Centre, which helps to keep items out of the landfill site; the Pitch-In event, which removes litter from area roads; and the club’s Community Gardens, which provides vegetables to the local food bank.
Later in the day, the Westport Lions hosted their annual fish fry serving 233 people.
At our general meeting on June 12, Marilyn Lockyer, Region Rep for Quilts of Valour (QOV) gave an informative talk about the local chapter. The purpose of QOV is to provide comfort to ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces members, both discharged and present. The local chapter has presented an impressive 898 quilts since 2016 and has made and presented 162 quilts during 2024. The Rideau Lakes and Westport chapter ranks as the second-highest producer of quilts in Canada.
On June 13, the Westport Lions hosted 157 Lions from 21 clubs for our annual steak barbeque. This event is exclusive to Lion members and is a major fundraiser for the club.
Next week I will summarize highlights from July to December.
Westport Lions Club 