COMMUNITY

I asked Lion Margaret Knill-Wilson, one of the organizers of the Paris Community Christmas Hamper and Toy Drive and a Lions Club Member going into her 50th year, why people should consider joining and/or volunteering with the Lions Club She replied, “It’s the greatest service club in the world; there’s nothing better than helping your community!”

Lion Ted Bickell, a member for 21 years reminder me “Volunteering is a choice, it’s something that everybody does every day and they don’t even notice it; holding the door for someone, for example, you’re choosing to help and that’s what Lions do.”

This year the student volunteers of Friends of Lions got to nominate a charity of their choice to receive $1,000 and they selected Good Will, Good Karma, an animal non-profit based in Mount Pleasant which is committed to raising awareness, supplies & funds to save rescue cats and dogs

Founders Will Finch (14) and his sister Jada (21) have raised over a million dollars already and are working hard to save animals and inspire the next generation of change makers.

It was a really inspiring evening, reminding us of the many energies and efforts going on in our community to make things better for all. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin when you want to get involved in volunteering or community organizations and it’s great to know that the Paris Lions Club have a few different avenues for engaging with their club so that people can get a feel for the group, it’s membership and their ethos before committing more completely.

A big community thank you to those Friends Of Lions who do make so many charitable contributions and cheers to the Lions Club for continuing their consistent humanitarian activities while working hard to expand their membership’s knowledge, equity and diversity.

Pictured above, student Friends of Lions volunteers: Paige Breslin, Minai Bilbao, fundraising recipient Will Finch of Good Will, Good Karma, Lion Rod Laframboise and Ethan Bickell

Pictured above, Lion Dave Arsenault presents a cheque to Friends Of Lions, representatives from the Burford club: Paul Kennette, MarieAnne Kennette and Warren Bell. Pictured to the left, in her 50th year as a Lions Club member, and honoured as one of the organizers of Paris Community Christmas Hamper and Toy Drive, Lion Margaret Knill-Wilson stands in front of one of the Lions Club banners covered in badges and regalia marking important moments in the Paris Lions Club history.

All photos by Prinx Lydia