The Lions Roar

Nawar El Khouri Hage | Aug 16, 2023

My name is Nawar. I am the Immediate Past President of the Lions Club of Land O’Lakes; and this is my first time writing the Roar.

There are three words that I have not been able to shake away since President Lynn Oborne asked me to take over writing the Roar: Our Nations Safety.

And so, for my first time attempt at a Roar, I will talk about those three words that have filled my thoughts lately.

As I joined Lions, many years ago, I was told that the word "Lions" stands for: Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nations Safety.

For the benefit of this Roar I will be leaving out Liberty and Intelligence; and will definitely come back to each of them in future Roars. But for now, my focus, and what seems to me, to be the focus of our club, is safety. Our community's safety.

Over the course of those many years, I have seen Lions around the world seeking the safety of their communities. Safety is often in training a dog to take care of an epileptic; in giving a pair of glasses to a visually-impaired; in promoting an environmental campaign and often in responding to disasters.

A few days ago our capital campaign to equip our hall to become an Emergency Shelter for our community was launched in the midst of our Annual Golf Tournament at Hunter's Creek Golf Course.

As golfers took turn to win the putting contest; as carts rolled, and players potted; as laughs were shared and camaraderie was at its highest; everyone awaited the unveiling of our fundraising thermometer. Another one will be placed soon at the fence of the hall, and the community will see it filling up as donations rise; every increase taking us one step closer to our community’s safety.

Our. Nations. Safety.

Land O'Lakes.

You are our nation.

Your safety is our mission.

Till we meet again in a Roar, stay safe, enjoy the lakes, hydrate, spend as much time as you can with family and friends; and look forward to our yummy Spaghetti Dinner on the 25th of Aug – walk in between 5-7 or book your meal in advance.