HUMANITARIAN - Lions Clubs Australia

Adamstown Lions auctioning artworks for hope

April 14, 2023/in DONATIONS, HUMANITARIAN, OUR STORIES /by Emily Williams

BY EMILY WILLIAMS

Adamstown Lions Club is hosting an online art auction as a fundraiser to support Ukrainian refugees.

68 artworks created by artists from Newcastle and the Central Coast are up for grabs, with all money raised going towards LCIF’s Ukraine appeal.

Artwork by Eugenia Dunlevie.

Dr Carol Gano approached Adamstown Lions Club, amazed at their good work in the community, to ask if the Club would be interested in helping her run this auction. Carol has since become a member of the Club.

Artwork by Lesley Duffin.

Secretary Judy Mulhearn and Treasurer John Mulhearn have worked hard alongside Carol to get the auction up and running.

All artworks were generously donated by the artists, some more established than others, after the Club contacted art societies and individuals in the Newcastle area.

Artwork by Geoffrey Breen

State Leo of the Year, Georgia Bailey, also contributed a piece of art to the auction.

Since war broke out in Ukraine 14 months ago, LCIF has awarded more than $6.2 million to support refugees in Ukraine.

You can check out the artwork up for auction and start bidding here.

Tewantin Noosa’s Courageous Children

January 13, 2023/in HUMANITARIAN, OUR STORIES /by Emily Williams

BY EMILY WILLIAMS

Tewantin Noosa Lions Club has committed to supporting the next generation with its latest project.

Introduced to the Club in mid-2022, the Children of Courage project recognises and celebrates the everyday bravery and courage of children between the ages of 5 and 15 living with disabilities.

With a focus on building self-esteem in children, recipients are nominated by community members, and all nominees are presented with gift cards for Rebel Sport at an awards ceremony.

Isaack Young was the first recipient of this award, nominated by his school for his achievement in sport. He was presented with his voucher in mid-December, which he intended to use to purchase a “special cap”.

Isaack accepted the award from President Ian Glew. Image: Facebook

There are four categories that children can be nominated for; special needs, courageous acts or deeds, inspiring sporting achievement, and sibling recognition.

The Lions Children of Courage Awards originated in Western Australia in 1983 and is celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year.

This project is ongoing and the Club is looking forward to continuing to support and celebrate the children in their community.

You can keep up to date with Tewantin Noosa Lions Club here.

Lions International President – Brian Sheehan – Message to Australian Lions about flood disaster.

December 31, 2022/in DONATIONS, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, HUMANITARIAN /by Rob Oerlermans

Lions Adopt a Family – Flood Relief

December 20, 2022/in DONATIONS, HUMANITARIAN /by Rob Oerlermans

Sydney Lions are supporting Ukrainian refugees and they need your help

December 14, 2022/in HUMANITARIAN, OUR STORIES /by Jemma

In times of crisis, Lions Clubs do what they can to make a difference and that’s exactly what local volunteers are doing right now to support the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

Funds raised by Lions across Sydney have helped establish the new modern modular Warsaw Information Centre and Medical Clinic in front of the Ukraine Consulate in Warsaw.

The project is being led by Hornsby Lions Club with director John Lockyer gearing up for his next visit to Poland and encouraging anyone looking to support Ukrainian refugees to make a donation.

“The conflict in the Ukraine has devastated so many lives. Many Lions volunteers are doing whatever they can to support those impacted and we need your help,” says John.

Lions Clubs across Sydney set a goal of raising $10,000 for Lions Warsaw to set up a Warsaw Information Centre modular in front of the consulate.

Lion John Lockyer in Warsaw with Ukrainian refugees.

“As a result of exceeding our $10,000 by raising $5000 more, Lions Warsaw also secured an additional modular office that is being used as a medical clinic. The central purpose of this medical clinic is to provide health support to Ukrainian children/families at the Lions Information Centre.”

“Now thousands of Ukrainian refugees that are seeking assistance at the consulate can be interviewed by Lions Warsaw Volunteers without any concern of the extreme bitter cold and wet conditions.

The harsh Polish winter will return and we are pleased to support Warsaw Lions volunteers with the provision of secure, warm modern offices so that refugees can be adequately interviewed,” says John.

John Lockyer from the Hornsby Lions Club on site for the build of the new Information Centre and Medical Clinic in Warsaw.

“I am returning to Poland to review progress at the Ukrainian Consulate in Warsaw and then plan to review progress on the plan by Lions Warsaw to establish similar facilities in the Gdansk, Wroclaw, Krakow and Lublin.”

“We’re encouraging anyone who would like to make a difference to consider making a donation. Every dollar counts,” adds John.

Donations can be made to: DG Vin Pang Endorsed Warsaw/Ukraine Lions Appeal

BSB : 032055 A/c: 163233

In addition to local Lions projects and initiatives in Australia, the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) has now provided over US$1,735,000 in grants to support Ukrainian refugees who have crossed their borders.

Lions in Ukraine have also received LCIF grants to address the critical needs of people who remain in the country.

Lions Hit the Catwalk for a Good Cause

July 8, 2022/in HUMANITARIAN, OUR STORIES /by Emily Williams

BY EMILY WILLIAMS

Members of Adamstown Lions Club have scrubbed up nicely to raise much needed funds for the Australian Lions Foundation’s Flood Appeal.

Last year, Lion Judith Mulhearn suggested hosting a fashion show fundraiser at the Club’s board meeting after reading stories about homelessness and domestic violence in the local papers.

2021’s inaugural fashion show supported Jenny’s Place, a Newcastle-based organisation supporting women and children who are experiencing domestic violence and/or homelessness.

“It went so well, we decided to do it again,” said Mulhearn.

This year’s event was held in mid-June and saw Lions modelling ponchos, blazers and bowties as attendees drank champagne and enjoyed cake.

A Lion modelling in the fashion parade

“We had a mix of our club members and their friends, members of the public and members of other Lions Clubs in attendance,” said Mulhearn.

With the support of local businesses, who donated vouchers and goods for raffles and lucky door prizes, the Club was able to raise $4,500.

This money will go towards supporting those affected by the devastating floods in Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales.

The Club will next be hosting a Spring fashion show in September.

You can keep up to date with Adamstown Lions Club here.

Donvale Lions Club Supports Local School Students

July 7, 2022/in HUMANITARIAN, OUR STORIES /by Emily Williams

BY EMILY WILLIAMS

For many families in Australia, sending children to school camp is a luxury that they simply cannot afford.

Donvale Lions Club has partnered with 4 local schools to ensure that children don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience all that school camps have to offer.

For a child to attend, it typically costs between $200 and $300, depending on their age, meaning that many children go without.

Since becoming involved with LCIF’s Peace Poster initiative approximately 15 years ago, the Club has built strong relationships with the schools in the local community.

It was through regular contact with these schools that the Club learned of the hardships faced by many families in their area.

Leni Moodie of Donvale Lions Club said that members of the Club remembered their own experiences at school camp fondly and felt compelled to support the children unable to attend.

“We simply couldn’t bear the thought of a kid not attending school camp and being singled out and staying behind,” said Moodie.

Donvale Lions Club typically supports 3 to 6 children at any given time, meaning that fundraising is particularly important.

Whilst many of us use Saturday mornings to sleep in, members of Donvale Lions Club operate a weekly barbeque at their local shopping centre. To supplement these donations, the Club runs a Trash and Treasure market and participate in other fundraisers to ensure a steady flow of funds to support the local children.

Moodie says that she “wouldn’t have it any other way”.

School camps, aside from being fun, promote independence, foster the development of new skills and encourage social interaction.

In 2019, the Victorian Government also recognised the importance of making school camps accessible to all children by introducing the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund. This Government initiative hoped to alleviate the financial burden of school camps, much like the Lions Club of Donvale.

“The Lions Club of Donvale is not very large, but what we do get involved in, we give it our best!”

You can find out more about Donvale Lions Club’s initiative here.

Valentine Lions Club Wins Top Club Service Project Award

June 17, 2022/in HUMANITARIAN, OUR STORIES /by Emily Williams

BY EMILY WILLIAMS

The Lions Club of Valentine refer to themselves as ‘the Club with the big heart” and it couldn’t be more true. At our recent Mini Convention in Melbourne, the Club was awarded the Top Club Service Project for their ongoing commitment to supporting their local community.

Stemming from a partnership with a local not-for-profit, Valentine Lions Club has directly helped over 2250 people in the community since 2021.

The Club has joined forces with Survivors R Us, a local organisation that directly supports those experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, and unemployment.

Amidst yet another Covid-19 outbreak in 2021, Lions banded together to care for their community and support its vulnerable members, whilst lifting the profile of Lions and their commitment to serving others.

“The members of the Lions Club of Valentine have been super enthusiastic about our involvement with this project. It has invigorated our Club and given it a real focus during the second year of the Covid pandemic,” said Vice President Dawn Lambert.

Valentine Lions cooking a weekly breakfast at Survivors R Us

Each week since July 2021, Lions have cooked a hot, hearty breakfast available to anyone who needs it. But the Club’s support of the community extends well beyond the weekly breakfast.

With the help of grants from the NSW Government totalling over $32,000, Valentine Lions Club has put together 195 food hampers, 195 Christmas hampers, 405 toy packs, 152 ‘Back to School’ backpacks, and 576 dignity care packs for people of all ages. All of these were distributed to disadvantaged members of their local community, in partnership with Survivors R Us.

In addition to accumulating over 900 hours of work on this project, the Club nominated Survivors R Us as the sole beneficiary of the $6,000 raised during their annual Christmas raffle to assist with their continuing work.

Valentine Lions presenting Maria Martin, founder of Survivors R Us, with the proceeds from their Christmas raffle

Valentine Lions Club’s ‘Caring for the Community’ project is ongoing and continues to uplift those in their community. Yet again proving that where there’s a need, there’s a Lion.

To learn more about Valentine Lions Club’s ongoing project, click here.

Gympie South Lions to the rescue for flood victim facing $7k fine

June 17, 2022/in EMERGENCY RESPONSE, HUMANITARIAN, OUR STORIES /by Jemma

The Gympie South Lions Club have come to the rescue of a local flood victim after he was threatened with a $7,000 fine for having flood debris on his footpath.

Tom Atkinson and his partner were overlooked when council were doing their curbside debris pick up following major flooding in Gympie earlier this year, and with only two small cars (without towbars), they were unable to transport the flood debris to the tip themselves.

Gympie South Lions - Flood victim Tom Atkinson

Flood victim Tom Atkinson was threatened with a $7k fine

After seeing the story in the local paper, members of the Lions Club of Gympie South offered to help remove the debris for them. A couple of days later, the band of heroes without capes arrived at Tom’s place, loaded the debris into a large trailer and took it to the tip.

The Gympie Council had agreed to waive the dump fees if the rubbish was dumped within the timeframe and they were true to their word.

Tom and his partner were very relieved and appreciative of the assistance from the Gympie South Lions, Senior Constable Andrew White for the loan of the trailer and some helpful friends (Tom also helped).

Many hands make light work and the job was done it no time – well done to all involved.

Local Lions Clubs continue to be on the ground in flood-affected areas and fundraising for the Australian Lions Foundation National Disaster Appeal.

Every dollar raised in the Appeal is being sent directly to local Lions Clubs to provide emergency support to those in need and help the community rebuild.

Anyone looking to make a donation and support those affected by the floods can do so through their local Lions Club or through donating directly to Australian Lions Foundation.

All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Kingborough Lions Make Significant Donation to Childhood Cancer Research

June 14, 2022/in DONATIONS, HUMANITARIAN, OUR STORIES, RESEARCH & INNOVATION /by Jemma

Photo L – R: Kingborough Lions Eric Madsen, DGE Paul Cairnduff, Mary Cairnduff, PDG Hester van Niekerk and Chair ALCCRF PDG Ron Skeen.

The Lions Club of Kingborough presented $86,500 to the Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation (ALCCRF) at the 2022 National Convention. PDG Hester van Niekerk writes…

“…If it was my grandchild, I would want ‘light and hope’ at the end of the dark tunnel and only research will give this light and hope to a devastated family.

The Lions Club of Kingborough supports many projects and I asked……how can we promote the Lions Club, ALCCRF and raise funds? Forming partnerships was the answer”.

Since 2016 the Lions Club of Kingborough has donated over $86,500 to the ALCCRF. As part of their fundraising efforts, they have partnered up with a number of local businesses to reach this goal including:

• Management of their local Shopping Centre. This resulted in being asked to assist in many and various events such as assisting the Easter Bunny, dressing as the 3 witches at Halloween and assisting with children’s activities throughout the year.

They have also been doing Christmas Gift Wrapping for many years. Management provide everything needed for all events undertaken at no cost to the group.

• Professional cake decorator who agreed to ice the Lions 80g mini cakes to sell to schools, early childhood organisations and at their Christmas wrapping stall at the local shopping complex.

• Local shops who supplied toys and books to go into small raffles for children at their Christmas wrapping event.

• Local artists including a Master Artist who provided an original water colour work. This was sold with 100% of sale going to the ALCCRF.

• Local quilters who provided the group with quilts that are sold – and again 100% of sale going to the ALCCRF.

• Local newspaper who kindly allowed editorials promoting their activities and events.

“Our only cost is that of the mini cakes, but in exchange for the support we recognise our sponsors, promote Lions and ALCCRF…helping hands from members, partners and friends is what goes towards increasing the ‘light’ and search for a cure,” says PDG Hester.

Well done to the Kingborough Lions Club for your dedication to such an important cause.

To find out more about how you can support the Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation, click here.