Adopt-A-Highway
Chair: Cyril Simms
Twice a year the Lions select an area of the highway entering Mount Pearl and clean up the litter. It is not uncommon to collect 60 bags of commercial and personal trash along the side of the road.
Alert
This Lions Club Committee works with the City of Mount Pearl and other local organizations to establish and implement a plan for assistance during a local disaster. During the aftermath of hurricane Igor, Lions responded within hours to a request by the City to provide hot food for any of the thousands of citizens who were without electricity for several days. Lions, family and friends eagerly accepted the task and prepared a hot meal for 400 people.
Battle of the Bands
Co-Chairs: Edward Snow, Sadie Perry
This high school band competition is hosted by the Mount Pearl Lions every year during the Mount Pearl Frosty Festival in February. The first place winning band becomes the guest band the following year. Six bands perform and are judged by professional musicians, to select the top three placing bands. The guest and first place bands receive $200; the second place band receives $150 and the third place band receives $100. All winners receive gold, silver or bronze Frosty Festival medals and certificates. This year the event will be held at the Reid Centre on Friday the 10th of February 2012.
Blood Donor Clinics
Chair: Alex Noseworthy
Members: Margaret Penney; Sadie Perry; Terry Penney
Lions assist with the regular Blood Donor clinics sponsored by the Canadian Blood Services. They put posters in public buildings, promote blodd donations and serve refreshments to donors.
Christmas Hampers
Chair: chair of the Santa Clau Parade
Vivian Marshall chaired this activity for decades until his death in 2011.
Lions contribute annually to the Christmas Hampers provided to families during Christmas by the Community Food Sharing Association. Families who could benefit from such support can contact the Lions Club or the Association.
Christmas Shoe Boxes
Chair: Claudette Coombs
Lions take approximately 30 Shoe Boxes and fill them for children in developing countries.
The Club pays for the postage while individual
Lions fill the boxes with personal items and toys to a value of $20 to $30 per box. Boxes are filled for boys or girls in each of 3 age groups: 2-4 years; 5-9 years; 10-14 years. The boxes are returned to the Solid Rock Wesleyan Church and sent for local distribution world-wide.
Citizenship - Lions Pride
This project is designed to promote the involvement of all Grade One students in Mount Pearl in Canada Day celebrations. Lions go to each school and present information on Canada, provide flags, colouring sheets and posters and bookmarks to each child. They discuss the role of Lion volunteers within the community and encourage children to take pride in their country while helping others. Mary Queen of the World Elementary, Morris Academy, Newtown Elementary and St Peter's Elementary students and staff look forward to the event each June.
Club Twinning
Chair: Claudette Coombs
The Mount Pearl Lions Club has officially "twinned" with the Lauderdale-By-The Sea Lions Club. This means that ideas and materials are shared by the Clubs to enhance the work of humanitarian service by both clubs. This began when Lions Claudette & Gerald visited the Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Lions Club while vacationing in Florida. The relationship developed with then President John DelZio, a retired Dentist. The relationship grew to include other members of the Florida Club and regular Club visits. Email has continued to keep the Clubs connected between visits. In 2011, Mount Pearl Lions delivered 10,000 stamps to Florida.
Dance & Auction
Chair: Sadie Simms
This major fundraising event is held annually. It offers a social evening for Lions and friends while raising $8-10,000 to support the various youth, community and humanitarian projects sponsored by Lions. The auction finishes by 11:00pm but the dance lasts until the energy runs out! The 17th of March 2012 event will be a St Paddy's Day dance & Auction at Park Place.
Diabetes Cavalcade
This annual parade takes place in a community determined by the District Governor. All Clubs are invited to participate and bring their annual donation to the reception that follows the parade. Total annual contributions range from $15,000 to $25,000. The Mount Pearl Lions Club donates $1000 annually to go towards Diabetes education and treatment. In addition, the Club promotes physical activity and healthy nutrition.
District N-4 Disaster Fund
Mount Pearl Lions contribute to this fund, collected by the District. All 53 of the Lions Clubs in the Eastern half of the island are invited to donate to this Disater Fund. It has been established to provide immediate, emergency funds to communities facing a crisis. Lions Clubs International has a similar fund and provided $10,000 immediately following hurricane Igor for distribution by local Lions Clubs to communities hardest hit by the hurricane.
Environmental Awareness
Chair: Cyril Simms
In a spirit of environmental stewardship, the Mount Pearl Lions promote recycling, composting and a reduction in the products that end up in land fill. With financial support from the Avalon East Wellness Coalition, MPLC sponsored a public forum at City Hall, in partnership with the Multi Materials Stewardship Board, Mount Pearl Parks & Recreation and MUN Botanical Garden. The audience learned about reducing trash through recycling, choosing reusable products instead of disposable ones and composting. Lions also provided each class at Mary Queen of the World Elementary School with a blue recycle bin and donated trees and shrubs to the Mount Pearl Senior High School landscaping project and outdoor classroom.
Focus on Youth Awards - City of Mount Pearl
Each year the City of Mount Pearl provides an opportunity for youth and youth leaders to be recognized for their voluntary, humanitarian or leadership efforts. The Lions have been involved in soliciting nominations and serving as judges in this prestigious event.
Eyeglass Recycling
Chairs: Ern Benson; Lloyd Grandy
Used eyeglasses are collected from optical outlets, churches and individuals. Ern and Lloyd package them and send them via Hoyt's Transportation to an eye centre in Alberta where they are prepared for redistribution by Lion optometrists who volunteer in developing countries. In 2011, 300,000 pairs of eyeglasses were collected in Canada and redistributed.
Lions Clubs International Foundation
This fundraising division is designed to meet needs due to major disasters world-wide. This has included the tsunami in Indonesia, the earthquake in China and has contributed millions of dollars for relief in Haiti. MPLC contributes annually to this fund.
Lions Foundation of Canada - DogGuide
This foundation was established to support the training of dogs for individuals with vision or hearing impairments or other special needs. most recently dogs are being trained for individuals with Autism. These dogs are provided to individuals at no cost to the recipient. The training school is in Oakville and the new owner and dog spend a training period together before the dog is given to the owner. In February 2010, the Mount Pearl Lions Club paid for "Benson", a canine Vision dog to be given to the next person on the waiting list.
Lions-VOCM Cares Bingo
Chair: Philip Field
This fundraising activity is one of the major sources of income for the Mount Pearl Lions Club. Phil delivers and collects the Bingo cards from 13 business venues. The Bingo game is aired on VOCM on Saturday evening at 6:30pm. A portion of the money from this Bingo comes back to the Lions Club. This is the largest single fundraiser for the VOCM Cares Foundation.
Million Penny Challenge for the LMSMC
Chair: Gerald Coombs
This fundraiser for the Lion Max Simms Memorial Camp relies on Lions, family, friends or anyone else wishing to be involved. Pennies are collected and deposited for maintenance and operation of the Lions Camp on the Exploits River. This multi-million dollar facility is completely accessible for individuals with a variety of physical and cognitive challenges. Camps are held annually for children and adults with: Autism, haemophilia, vision or hearing impairments, as well as Open Camps for individuals with unspecified limitations. The Camp boasts wheelchair swings and a wheelchair-friendly river boat. During the off season, the camp is used for Lions events and fundraisers such as motorcycle and snowmobile trips. The facility is also rented to schools and organizations holding educational events.
Organ Donation - Transplant Games
Under the direction of Lion Phil Field, for many years,the Mount Pearl Lions Club strongly promoted Organ Donation.
Ben, a Lion's son, received a liver transplant and has been a vibrant advocate of the transplant program.
He has shown its success through his personal accomplishments, healthy lifestyle and his many medals won at the national transplant games.
Lions also work with other organizations to assist individuals with medical expenses related to receiving an organ transplant.
Peace Poster Contest
Chair: Gerald Coombs
This Junior High art contest has a different theme each year but the focus is always on some aspect of peace. The Mount Pearl Lions Club sponsors a contest at St Peter's Junior High and Mount Pearl Intermediate. Winners are selected from each school and their posters are sent to a District N-4 contest where posters are submitted from all participating schools in the District. The Club provides a financial award to the winning student and a financial gift to the school in support of the art program. The 2011 winner of the CBS Lions Club contest, also won the District, then the Multiple District level and his poster has been submitted to Lions Clubs International for competition at the world level.
Playground Equipment
The Mount Pearl Lions with the support of MHA Lion Steve Kent were able to secure a $15,000 provincial goverment recreational grant. It was used to develop and equip playgraound for the Mary Queen of the World Elementary School. The Lions have committed their support to continuing a process of further developing this play area.
Red Shield Appeal
Chair: Cyril Simms
Lions assist the Salvation Army with their Christmas fundraising drive through the Christmas kettle campaign, by spending a day with a kettle!
RCMP Klondyke Night
Several years ago the Lions were recipients of funding from this RCMP Charity event. Because of their enthusiastic participation and willing support, Lions have been invited each year since then, to help in the Klondyke event. Each year the RCMP select two different charities to receive the proceeds of the night. Lions enjoy yet another opportunity to work with an agency engaged in public fudraising to supply resources to those who can benefit from such assistance.
Santa Claus Parade
Chair: Chesley Pike
Lions have organized and hosted the Santa Claus parade in Mount Pearl since 1955!! Each year they contact churches, community groups, schools and businesses to invite their participation in the parade. Cheerleaders, cadet bands, Newfoundland dogs and animated characters are among the many groups that walk the 3km parade route from Mount Pearl Intermediate School to Mount Pearl Square. City floats, Nativity scenes, festive business vehicles are decorated in the spirit of Christmas and travel the route to bring joy to the thousands of by-standers. Lions pack and distribute 3500 bags of treats with candy donated by Piper's; and, serve 600 hotdogs, donated by the City of Mount Pearl, to participating youth. Lions with the support of the Girl Guides and Coleman's collect a truckload of food for the St Vincent de Paul Society. In the 2011 parade, Lions added to the loonies collected by volunteers and matched by Scotia Bank to give approximately $5600 to the Community Food Sharing Association.
Scholarships - Senior High
These $150 Lions Memorial scholarships are awarded to two students in each of the Mount Pearl's high schools. They are awarded based on the student's academic achievements and contribution to the school or community.
Scholarships - Junior High
This $100 academic scholarship is provided to a Grade Seven student with exemplary mathematic performance.
School Breakfast Program - Mary Queen of the World
Chair: Margaret Burry
Mount Pearl Lions provide financial assistance for this Elementary School Breakfast Program. Once a month the Lions of Mount Pearl serve a breakfast snack to approximately 100 students.
Speak Out - Senior High School
Chair: Samuel Parsons
This event is held in late February each year as a competition between six students; three each from Mount Pearl Senior High and O' Donel High School. Judges and Questioners are: retired teachers; MUN or Department of Education personnel; or, others in the education field. Parents and the general public are encouraged to attend the event. All speakers receive plaques or medals and a financial award. The three top speakers receive special awards. The first place winner represents the Mount Pearl Lions Club at the Regional Speak Out with seven speakers from other Clubs of Zone 8 & 9. The next level of the competition is the District N-4 Speak Out in Gander in mid April, while the final competition level at the Multiple-District N Convention in mid May, is held in one of the four Atlantic Provinces hosting the convention for that year.
Speak Out - Junior High School
Chair: Samuel Parsons
This competition between six speakers of Mount Pearl Intermediate and St. Peter's Junior High is usually held in early May. Judges and Questioners are selected with similar qualifications as those for the Senior Speak Out. All participants receive a plaque or medal and a cash award. The top three speakers receive special awards. The winner goes to a Zone 9 Junior Speak Out with speakers from three other Clubs.
Special Olympics - Opening Eyes
Chair - Gerald Coombs
A group of eye professionals under the direction of Dr Richardson and a group of Lions coordinated by Gerald, hosted the Opening Eyes clinic during the July 2009 Special Olympics in Mount Pearl. Hundreds of athletes were tested and fitted for glasses or designer sunglasses - so
me for the first time, others to replace glasses that had long been lost, while others received glasses that they would not have been able to afford! For two days, all volunteers gave freely of their time, talents and especially their compassion. Lions are enthusiastically awaiting the next Opening Eyes Clinic.
Sport Team Sponsorships
Annually the Mount Pearl Lions Club donates to sports teams in the City.
These have included soccer, figure skating, swimming and the Lions own Atom Division Hockey & soccer teams.
Used Stamps for Veterans
Chair: Claudette Coombs
This project represents part of the sharing relationship between the Mount Pearl Lions Club and the Lauderdale by the Sea Lions Club. Used postage stamps are collected and delivered to the Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Lions Club where they are given to veterans hospitals for fundraising and therapeutic projects to benefit military veterans. Lions, family members, friends, co-workers and even strangers are invited to share in this heart-warming project. The only requirement is to save the stamps and give them to a Lion of the Mount Pearl Lions Club. We'll even pick them up! In 2011, Mount Pearl Lions delivered 10,000 stamps to Florida.
VOCM Cares Happy Tree
Co- Chairs: Sadie Simms; Linda Quinlan; Yvonne Mackey
Each year the Mount Pearl Lions hold a Christmas social for Club members and their guests. Although they schedule a visit from Santa, gifts are not collected for each other, but for delivery to the VOCM Cares Happy Tree. In 2011 that contribution was valued at approximately $1000.
Youth Opportunities Fund Foundation
Chair: Gerald Coombs
As a contributing member to this foundation, the Mount Pearl Lions Club has a member on the YOFF Board and assists in decisions about funding proposals. Grants have been given for school mentoring, mom & tot reading and activity programs, youth organizations for equipment / training / travel, and other programs as deemed appropriate by the board.
Russian Tote Bags & Slippers
Co-Chairs: Fred Anderson; Claudette Coombs
For 10 years the Mount Pearl Lions joined with a local church, The Worship Centre, to sew and fill tote bags for seniors in Russia. Lions and family members sew the tote bags and knit slippers. The Church group collected nightgowns, blankets, toiletries, slippers and send 200 filled "Granny Sacks" to Russian seniors each year. Due to international complications, in 2011, the Lions limited their involvement to Nain and other local areas. It is anticipated that this project will again expand to other countries in need.
