Lions Roar
Modern times, where innovation promised us more time for ourselves, but has proved the opposite, are causing havoc with charity organisations. Work commitments, families and a raft of sporting activities leave us with little time for volunteering. The Lion’ s Service Club understands these constraints and is endeavouring to make it as easy as possible for those wanting to join the organisation. Membership numbers have dropped to four in the once vibrant club and Lions are inviting interested people to come along to a couple of meetings to see if they would like to become members.
“ As a Lion you can make a difference in your community” says Bev Wilson,“ You will be part of a world wide organisation, carrying out community and humanitarian projects and you can grow personally and professionally by participating in programs, service projects and events.”
Internationally Lions have helped Tsunami, earthquake and flood victims. In Hay, residents have been aided with funds to acquire items for improved health, help when fire destroyed homes and financial assistance for medical treatments.
As fundraisers, Lions members can be seen doing a number of things all over the country. From the famous Lions BBQs, raffles and snow cones to Market days and Debutante Balls. Being a small in numbers club, the Hay Lions do not have the power to run big projects, so concentrate on smaller things.
Why should I become a member of Lions?
In 152 countries across the world people from all walks of life join together to raise funds to help those who need it most. Lions are about fun, family and friendship. It’ s about putting back into the community.
What will I have to do as a member?
Meeting are held at the Lions Den on Lachlan Street, next to the tennis courts. Members meet on the 1 st and 3 rd Tuesday of each month. Members can attend meetings as often as they can. Meeting usually run for two hours, beginning at 6.30pm for a 6.45pm start.“ Sometimes we are enjoying ourselves so much we don’ t meet this limit,” says Bev Wilson.
Members also join in at fundraising activities. Sometimes it will be selling raffle tickets, manning the snow cone machine at a fete or cooking a BBQ; or helping with the physical side cleaning up a pensioner’ s garden. Lions are free to help as much or as little as their schedules permit. Your time commitment is simply what you are able to give whatever projects are happening each month.
How much will it cost me?
Your financial obligation as a volunteer Lion is $ 6.00 per meeting. At the end of some meetings the“ Lion Tamer” will produce the‘ Fine Box’ which is usually a twenty cent donation. Fines are for fun and include a member reporting something silly they did, or funny infringements of protocols: it’ s all light hearted and inexpensive enjoyment. Occasionally Lion’ s members are asked to bring a plate to a meeting or bake a cake for a stall.
How does the money raised help our local community?
School Scholarships for a year six student entering High School at Hay War Memorial receive a scholarship and a student continuing their tertiary education as well as book awards annually.
Medical equipment for locals, assistance for people to travel to get medical treatment, renovations to someone’ s home to allow them to be cared for amongst family and familiar things.
Lions also help fund medical research for childhood cancer, prostate cancer and eye health for example.
How do I take the first step to becoming a member?
For catering purposes phone 6993 1343 or 0427 931 343 then come to a meeting, on the first or third Tuesday of any month and say“ Hello”. Once in the door Lions members will welcome you and bring you into the group.
“ We Lions would love to see you there.”
Local Lions: John Rizzo, Bev Wilson and Susie Parslow along with Brian Hill( Zone 3 Chairman) from Finely. The Lions recently held an information day at the Services Club and gained two new members.
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