OTF Grant Helps Lions Club Expand Bottle Return Program

Jan 12, 2022

In 2021, the Lions Club of Land O’Lakes received a $69,300 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. These funds were used to extend and upgrade the bottle/can sorting and storage shed at the Lions Club Community Hall in Northbrook, Ontario. The project was completed December 22, 2021. The additional funds generated by an expanded bottle/can return program will allow the Lions Club to continue operations throughout the COVID pandemic and serve their community for years to come.

“This investment by the Ontario Trillium Foundation to expand and upgrade the bottle/can sorting and storage shed is great news for our community,” said Daryl Kramp, MPP for Hastings-Lennox and Addington. “There are many who benefit from the Lions Club service in our community.”

The upgraded shed has a new roof, concrete floor, siding, lighting, insulation, heating, and improved ventilation. The extension has doubled the shed’s storage space and greatly expanded the capacity and efficiency of the Bottle Return Program.

The collection and return of empty bottles/cans is one of the Club’s only COVID-safe fundraising activities. The expansion of the program will help the Lions Club recover from COVID-19 and continue its fundraising work well into the future.

“The benefits to our Lions Club volunteers and the community that they serve cannot be underestimated” said Jean Jacques (Red) Emond, Chair – Bottle Return Program. “The Lions Club volunteers who sort the bottles and cans are thrilled with the upgrades.”

Funds raised by the Lions Club of Land O’Lakes go directly back to the community through service projects and donations. The Club hosts events for the community such as Bingo, Euchre, Yard Sales, Farmers Markets, Recognition Events for Emergency Services and Health Care Workers, Spring Yard Clean Up Services for those unable to do so, Christmas Extravaganza Market, Holiday Displays in the Yard, and the Santa Claus Parade. More information about Lions Club of Land O’Lakes services and events is available on the Club’s Facebook page (@LandOLakesLionsClub).

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Last year, nearly $112M was invested into 1,384 community projects and partnerships to build healthy and vibrant communities and strengthen the impact of Ontario’s non‐profit sector. In 2020/21, OTF supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non‐profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID‐19. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

The Lions Club of Land O'Lakes bottle/can sorting and storage shed expansion and upgrade was completed by local contractors. The Lions Club of Land O'Lakes extend their thanks Northbrook Outfitters Contracting and Bob Reiser Contracting, for their high quality construction work, suggestions for improvements and completion of the work as scheduled! Both contractors utilized local sub-contractors and suppliers to complete their work. 

Mike Cumming, owner of Northbrook Outfitters Contracting, managed the construction project. The work included relocation of the existing shed during construction, a new reinforced concrete floor slab, construction of the new shed, windows, doors, roofing, siding, insulation and vapour barrier, all within a tight timeframe.

He worked closely with the Lions Club representative, Lion Phil Barchard, throughout the project. Bob Reiser managed power supply to the structure, lighting, electrical outlets and heating. His suggestions, design and ability to complete the work was greatly appreciated by the Lions Club.

People can bring their bottles and cans to an identified drop off box at the Lions Club Hall. They can also drop them in identified drop off boxes at the following waste transfer sites in North Frontenac and Addington & Highlands. They have agreements with both townships to use these locations: Cloyne, Plevna, Highway 506, Kashawakamak, and Kaladar

There are also drop off boxes at Myers Cave Resort on Marble Lake and Nowell Motors in Cloyne. During summer months, there is a drop off box at Smarts Marina on Mazinaw Lake.