The Innisfil Lions Club presented five $1,000 cheques to local organizations and charities at the Lions Hall on Innisfil Beach Road on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
Charities and local organizations included the Bob Rumball Foundation, the DeafBlind Ontario Foundation, the Women’s & Children’s Shelter of Barrie, COPE Service Dogs, and the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library.
“After a very successful 2022-2023 year, the Innisfil Lions are pleased to make donations to a number of local charities and community groups,” the president of the Lions Club of Innisfil, Alison Jacks said. “Through the hard work of our members and the support of the Innisfil community, our club is back on track after COVID.”
Before the Lions Club inducted two new members during their regular meeting, they honoured the memory of Jerry Pauley, who was a lifetime member of the Innisfil Lions Club, by donating $1,000 to the Bob Rumball Foundation. Described as a dedicated member, Pauley spent his final days at the Bob Rumball Home For The Deaf, which inspired the donation.
The Bob Rumball Home for the Deaf, is a long-term care facility specifically designed for seniors with hearing loss and deafness.
The organizations and charities expressed their gratitude for the Innisfil Lions Club's generosity.
“We are so grateful for this support from the Innisfil Lions Club. DeafBlind Ontario Services supports people who are deafblind, as well as people who are Deaf, hard of hearing and non-verbal with a developmental disability. Our reach extends into remote communities and urban centres across the province with supported living homes and community services, including Innisfil and Barrie,” said the director of major gifts, corporate and community of the DeafBlind Ontario Foundation, Susan Manahan. “This gift will help fund the specialized services we provide, that are customized to each person’s unique needs, method of communication, and goals to live their best life.”
The development manager for the Women's and Children's Shelter of Barrie, a 27-bed facility serving Barrie, Innisfil, and Simcoe County, said donations like the one they received from the Lions Club will help keep the lights on at the shelter that consistently operates over capacity.
"Donations like this allow us to keep these women and their kids safe (and) comfortable while they start to rebuild their lives,” said Deb James, development manager of the Women’s and Children’s Shelter of Barrie. “Most women come to us with nothing, and donations like this go toward food, personal hygiene items, shampoo, body wash, kids snacks, baby food and diapers. The Barrie and area Women's Shelter would not be able to survive without the generosity of groups like the Innisfil Lions Club.”
Laverne Patrick and a friendly golden retriever/service dog were in attendance to accept a donation to the Canine Opportunity, People Empowerment (COPE) Service Dogs.
COPE Service Dogs partners service dogs to people with disabilities and works with youth experiencing challenges to train future service dogs.
“Any donations help towards the upkeep and the care of the pups, and this is what we need. We want our pups well-cared for — which we do care for them very well — and every bit of money helps us to do our job,” said Patrick.
The Innisfil Lions Club also donated $1,000 to the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library.
"The library board would like to thank the Lions Club (of) Innisfil for their generous donation. This donation will make a positive impact on the programs and outreach programs provided by the library,” said library board member, Coun. Robert Saunders.
“Our fundraising efforts have resulted in donations of close to $20,000 this year and we will keep going. Thank you to all those who support our efforts including Mayor Dollin and our council, MP John Brassard and MPP Andrea Khanjin. Through the support of many, the Innisfil Lions Club will continue to serve the community for another 50 years,” Jacks said.
To learn more about the Innisfil Lions Club, follow their Facebook page.