On the left, Bob Thompson receives funding for Westport Senior Living from Lion Peter Minnelli. Photo credit: Bob Reddick
Westport Lions Roar
By Lion Bob Reddick
The Westport Lions are now accepting funding requests for the club’s fall disbursements. Please complete the application form found on the club’s website (westportlions.ca) and send it to the Westport Lions no later than October 1, 2026.
To make all disbursements fair and equitable, the Westport Lions developed a procedure and a matrix to reward requests that fulfill the Lions’ mandate. The club decided to do disbursements twice annually, in April and October. Regrettably in the past, some requests have been submitted on a written note that did not contain important information. This resulted in delays for the Disbursement Committee and organizations not receiving funds in timely fashion.
All funding requests must be submitted using the funding application form found on the Westport Lions website, westportlions.ca. Click on the red link entitled, “Application for Funding Requests,” and then download an application form for individuals or organizations. You can either print off the form, complete it, and mail it to Westport Lions Club, P.O. Box 428, Westport, ON K0G 1X0, or you can complete the fillable PDF file, save it, and then share it by emailing it to westportontariolions@gmail.com.
Completing a form gives the Westport Lions all the information the club needs to make fair, non-biased decisions that are consistent with the Lions Club mandate and AGCO guidelines.
All requests should meet at least one of the following general criteria:
- Youth mental and physical development with an emphasis on one of five Lions’ Pillars: Vision, Diabetes, Hunger, Environment, or Childhood Cancer.
- Seniors’ mental and physical well-being with an emphasis on one of the same five Lion’s Pillars.
- Relief of pain, suffering, and financial hardship due to illness or disaster.
- Purposes beneficial to the community.
To ensure the value of our donation dollars is maximized, priority is given to causes that support many individuals as opposed to a single recipient. In terms of community requests, the club considers how the donation will be beneficial to the community.
The Disbursement Committee will meet between October 1 – 6 to rate all requests using a matrix from the above general criteria. The DC will make recommendations for funding and present them to the executive for their approval at the executive meeting on October 6. At the next general meeting on October 14, the DC will present their recommendations for funding to the general membership. At the following general meeting held on October 28, the disbursement recipients will receive their cheques and tell the membership what they plan to do with the club’s donation. It is a tight schedule so that why it important to use the application form and submit it no later than October 1.