The clubs are each marking 60 years of service to their communities.
Members take the motto “We Serve” to hear, contributing support and infrastructure to a wide range of community activities and groups, from local to national in scope.
Summerside Lion John Woodworth has been involved since 1965 after a workmate introduced him to the organization.
"It is working with the community, and helping people in need,” he explained his devotion to the Lions.
Jamie Houde, formerly with the police service in Winnipeg, had never been part of a service club before joining the Summerside Lions after moving to P.E.I. about two years ago.
“It seemed like a good organization that went out and did lots of things for the community, with the community. I was new here, and I thought it would be a way to meet different people in the community,” he explained his interest.
Houde likes active involvement that accomplishes goals, such as being a liaison with the City of Summerside on a $6,000 project that installed new play equipment at the Wilmot Community Centre.
“It’s very rewarding.”
Wayne Scott has been with the Kensington Lions Club for 40 years, currently serving as club treasurer and chair of Kensington’s contribution to the 60th anniversary celebrations. He started out helping out with his son’s baseball.
“I just wanted to help out as much as I could, and the Lions Club seemed to be the area of expertise at the time.”
Scott considers himself to be a very active member. His early experience underlies his philosophy for the future of the organization and drawing younger people to similar involvement.
“We have to keep pushing the (motto) ‘We Serve’,” said Woodworth.
Lester Davison was inducted into the Kensington Lions Club during the 60th anniversary banquet the clubs held together Saturday evening at the Loyalist Resort in Summerside.
He is already involved in several service organizations, including serving currently as president of the Kensington branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. The Legion is purchasing the Kensington Lions Club building as its new premises, and Davison foresees the two organizations forging a close working relationship, so he decided to formalize his association.
“As president of the Legion, I thought I should take the lead,” Davison explained, expecting that the two organizations would advance each other’s goals and achievements.
“I see how they get together and work together, and I try to do my part in the community,” he justified his decision to join the Lions Club, admitting that the impact on his personal satisfaction is at the heart of the matter.
“Just your own self-gratification that you have done good work and helped people out that need it,” he concluded.
About the Kensington Lions Club
— Chartered Nov. 16, 1954.
— Currently 21 members.
— Early projects: Lions Band, majorettes, Christmas parade, Harvest Festival,
Miss Community Gardens, glaucoma clinic
— Supports sports teams, Community Gardens Complex, Diabetes Society,
Big Brothers and Big Sisters, food banks, Christmas hampers, CNIB, the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, eyeglass collection, Prince County Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, IWK.
— Fundraise for school scholarships, reading programs, breakfast programs, playground equipment, bike rodeo, weekly seniors crib and card nights.
— Lions Club centre has housed two restaurants.
— Space is available for future use.
About the Summerside Lions Club
- Chartered Nov. 15, 1954
- 24 current members
- Provides subsidized housing to 25 seniors’ families at two city locations
- Services include: eye examinations/glasses for needy families, transport/games for weekly blind bowling, minor hockey/baseball sponsorship, Christmas hampers.
- Supports Lobster Festival parade, PCH Equipment Fund, Prince County Family Services Bureau, Community Connections, Generation XX, CNIB, IWK Telethon, Lions Cavalcade for Diabetes, Camp Gencheff, Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
- Fundraisers: Community birthday calendars, yard sale, roast pork dinner, trip draw, food concession at Kool Breeze farm day.
- Provided $6,000 for new playground equipment at Wilmot Community Centre.
