Each month, we turn our spotlight on one of the many groups, clubs, committees and non-profit societies that make our island community so special. Find this month’s Lions Club update on page 42. For more information, contact penderlionspresident@gmail.com.
First, can you tell us what your group is about, and what you do?
The Lions Club is the largest international service club in the world. We do community service with focus areas like vision, hunger, environment, and diabetes, supporting local needs and global causes through volunteering and fundraising.
Lions Club International has existed since 1917; Pender started its own Lions Club in 1973, organized by Gordon F. Smith, and the first president was Walter Cunliffe.
Do you produce any community events or initiate special projects? If so, what do you typically sponsor or promote?
We produce the Santa Ship, Polar Bear swim, and local phone book. Our biggest focus locally is to support our medical clinic in obtaining equipment/funds they need to serve the community, and we also try to invest heavily in the education of local youth.
Vision and hunger are pillars of the Lions International’s mission, so we donate to the local food bank annually. We collect older glasses to redistribute them to people in need, and we test the vision of our elementary school children every year.
How often do you get together, and typically when? Can new members join anytime?
We meet on the first Wednesday of each month at the Pender Island Legion from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. We accept applications year round. Come join us!
Are any of the original founders still taking part, or still on Pender? If so, tell us a bit about them.
There are at least two original members still living on Pender: Jim Allan and Wilf Craven.
How many volunteers are involved in running it? Are you currently looking for more?
There are currently 15 members on Pender, and we hope to continue to add a minimum of two new members per year.
What gets your members most excited in your meetings or activities?
Our members get a sense of pride from being able to raise money to support local initiatives. Our approach is often to host community events which double as fundraisers. It makes us happy to put smiles on people’s faces with our events and then turn around and use the money we raise to further support the community.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with readers?
The Cunliffe Bursary is a bursary that we award to Pender students graduating from GISS who are pursuing post secondary education. All students are welcome to apply as long as they complete some volunteer hours with the Lions Club. The Cunliffe Bursary is named after The Pender Lions’ first president.
What’s in the future for your organization? Anything exciting in the works, or dreams you would like to fulfill?
We would like to continue to grow in numbers so that we can facilitate more events and create more great memories in the community. We are hoping to be able to further support our students, food bank, clinic, and environment to name a few.