Where there is a Need, there is a Lion

Westport Legionnaire Chris Coates attended the Lions’ meeting to explain and answer questions about a possible fundraiser called Chase the Ace.

Westport Lions Roar

By Lion Bob Reddick

Lions often say, “Where there is a need, there is a Lion.” This saying applies not only to Lions. After the recent snowstorm, Lions Bruce Paterson and David Blair struggled to clear the snow from the Lions’ beach parking lot using the club’s small tractor. Paul Herlehey, who was driving by on his larger Kioti tractor, noticed their situation and offered his assistance. Paul dedicated two hours to help the Lions clear the lot. This is not the first time Paul has come to the aid of the club. In another instance, Rodney Barr was driving by the Lions’ property and saw the Lions’ medical van was stuck in the snow. Rodney helped to get the van moving again, enabling Lion Harry Beckett to pick up a client for a medical appointment. The Westport Lions thank both Paul and Rodney for their unsolicited help.

At our general meeting on February 26, Chris Coates from the Westport Legion Branch 542 presented his vision for a possible joint fundraiser. Chris explained how “Chase the Ace” would work and answered questions from the Lions. This lottery has been a successful fundraiser for other organizations in Canada, but requires a significant weekly time commitment. Both the Legion and Lions are exploring this idea and will make a decision by the mid-March on whether to proceed with the lottery.

Several people have suggested to club members that the Lions should collect donated beer bottles as a fundraiser. The membership discussed the idea and decided to let the executive make a recommendation at the next general meeting. This project has been successful for other area Lions clubs.

The meeting also included updates on various committee reports. Lion Wayne Bent announced that Lion Julian Bahmann will chair the club’s annual steak barbeque in June. This is a major fundraiser for the club and is only open to other Lion clubs. It is believed that Neil Scott started the barbeque in the 1980s at Foley Mountain, then the event moved to the Masonic Hall, (now the Wordsmith) and finally to the Lions’ beach. In 2024, 157 Lions attended the barbeque from 21 different clubs.

Lion Jim McGlade reported on the first ice fishing derby organized by Athens and Westport Lions clubs. Most of the details of the event have been in previous editions of The Review-Mirror, but Jim shared a heart-warming story about a father and son who drove from Kanata to participate in the derby. They had never been to Westport or the beach before, and learned about the event through Facebook. Upon registering, the father was amazed that there was no fee to participate, and the Lions provided free hot chocolate, hotdogs and prizes for every young person. The father said he would definitely return to Westport and the Lions’ beach during the summer.

Being a Lion is not all about work. Members of the Westport club enjoyed a night of bowling in Elgin on February 7. Lion David Lowery scored an impressive 277, while Lion Jim McGlade registered an undisclosed somewhat lower score. In other events, the Athens Lions Club is sponsoring a Hee Haw show on March 8, and a tour of Tacks Toys on April 12. The Gananoque Lions club will host a Murder Mystery night on April 4.

Details about the Westport Lions annual fundraiser breakfast at The Cove Inn for the mobility van will be coming soon!