The Nelson Lions Club is excited to announce they are celebrating their 70th anniversary of becoming a charter member of Lions International.
Lions International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.
The Lions have made major contributions to Nelson’s well being since their inception in 1945.
Most people in Nelson are familiar with Lions Park in Uphill and visit to enjoy little league baseball, the children’s playground, the water park in summer and the ice rink in winter.
Lions annually celebrate their work in Lions Park by hosting a party for the community that includes free hot dogs, drinks and chips as well as games and other activities for children. This year it will be held on Saturday.
The people of Nelson may not be as familiar with the other accomplishments of the local Lions Club. Nelson Lions are continuously busy contributing to many aspects of the community to enhance the well being of all of its citizens.
Ongoing projects include assisting Nelson’s seniors, contributing to local youth sports clubs, provide three scholarships to deserving high school graduates and support local environmental programs.
Further they make major contributions to local charities including low cost housing.
They also collect used eye glasses and hearing aids for individuals in third world countries. The hearing aid program benefits local needy individuals who receive cleaned and serviced devices.
The Nelson Lions Club makes significant donations to international disasters including the Haiti earthquake, the Japanese tsunami and the recent Nepal earthquakes. Annually the Nelson Lions Club contributes to Canada’s training of dogs to assist the visually impaired.
Lions also enjoy and include the community in their major fund raising activities. Each year they provide a Canada Day pancake breakfast on Baker St. It is always well attended and for many families it has become part of their July 1 tradition.
The Lions also sponsor a variety show for children each February. Not only is it an important fundraiser, it provides a treat for children in the dullest month of the year. The Lions also do an annual firewood sale each fall, cutting and splitting wood with the help of some regular local volunteers. All these events are eagerly anticipated as they are lots of fun for both the Lions and those who participate.
Lions are very proud of their accomplishments and very grateful for the volunteers who assist them to provide these events. They could not be done without the support of Nelson’s generous citizens. They are always open and encouraging men and women, young and old, to join the organization. There is great satisfaction in helping fellow citizens.
They meet on the first and third Tuesday of every month (July and August excepted) at the Hume Hotel for dinner at 6:30 p.m. followed by a meeting that consists of necessary business and guest speakers or other entertainment.
Check them out and if you enjoy the service club, join them. Participation can be totally focused on local events or there are opportunities to become involved in the Lions organization regionally and international including an annual Lions/UN day held annually at UN headquarters in New York.
Approximately 450 Lions, UN diplomats and other key representatives discuss targeted humanitarian challenges in engaging panel discussions. None of the current members have done this but any member has the opportunity.