Oct 06, 2011


Photo: Bill Pyle, Dave Hansen and Governor Earl Oliver

Close to 150 Lions members from the 50 clubs in district A3, including members from Tillsonburg, Ont. and as far away as Pennsylvania, gathered at the Verona Lions hall on Oct. 1 to celebrate the Sharbot Lake and District Lions Club’s 60 years of service in the community.

Chartered on September 29, 1951, the Sharbot Lake and District Lions Club has been serving the community in a number of ways. First and foremost they have served people who are blind and deaf through their vision and hearing screening programs, which will begin again in area schools this month.

The evening provided members with a chance to keep current in the ongoing work of Lions clubs across the various districts and a chance to visit members from afar.

Sharbot Lake Lion Dave Hansen, past district governor and the longest serving governor at the event, has been a Lion for 46 years. He emceed the event, which was attended by no fewer than 19 white-jacketed members, each one a past district governor.

When interviewed later, Hansen recalled that he joined the Lions “because it was a fun club, a healthy club, at the time.”

Although a lot has changed since he joined in 1965, the Lions have remained true to the vision that drew him to the club in the first place.

“We do what we can for the local community. One hundred percent of the money we raise through fundraising must be spent in the community. We always said that the Lions are the best kept secret in the community, any community,” he said.

For many years the Sharbot Lake and District Lions have distributed eye glasses and assistive devices for people who needed them, and given assistance for baseball teams, among other items.

The Lions are also directly responsible for the establishment of Sharbot Lake’s Oso Beach, which at one time was the location of Allen's cottages, and was on the point of being sold for cottage lots. The Lions petitioned the then Oso Township to expropriate the land and turn it into a public beach.

Since then the Lions have built the covered picnic area and in 1999 refurbished a broken down stage into the band shell that is there today. The picnic area and band shell were donated to Central Frontenac Township.

The club has had its ups and downs over the years as membership has waxed and waned, and Dave Hansen said that it is in a strong state today, partly because of a number of dynamic husband and wife teams who have become involved over the past ten years or so.

At the anniversary dinner, Dave Hansen introduced Lion Dave Voisey of the Barrhaven Lions Club, a past council chair who was chosen as the evening’s guest speaker.

Voisey spoke of the important work the Sharbot Lake and District club continues to carry out in the community.

“The members of the Sharbot Lake & District club are true pioneers and have been fully involved in serving the community through Easter Seals, various civic improvements, school bursaries, sports tournaments, the volunteer fire department, the food bank, Christmas hampers and much more, all through a number of fundraising programs and community events. This club also has a very proud history of providing leaders, and many have served on the international and district levels. I have a sense here tonight that many will be seeking district offices in the near future.”

Voisey mentioned members Dave and Dawn Hansen in particular, who “have attended more MBA conventions, international conventions, and USA/Canada forums than anyone I know – these are truly knowledgeable Lions.”

Also in attendance was Roy Benn, who served as president of the club from 1957-58. He said he had to step down when the Lions changed their supper hour from 6 to 7 p.m., which conflicted with his schedule as a diary farmer at the time.

Asked about the biggest changes he had seen through the years, he said, “They definitely didn't have the white jackets back when I was a member but the good work they are doing in the community remains unchanged.”

Other highlights of the evening included an awards presentation. Lions Secretary Bill Pyle was presented with the Helen Keller Fellowship Award for his untiring service.

He said he was overwhelmed. “This award just shows my love of Lionism.”

Last year’s president, Dawn Hansen, was presented with the Melvin Jones Fellowship award, honouring her for her many years of dedicated service.

Betty-Anne Blyth, the club’s current president, was thrilled with the turn out at the event and stressed the hope and need for new members to join. “These clubs have existed for decades and through events like this we are striving to get the word out that our members absolutely love what they are doing. We also want to stress our need for younger members who can keep these clubs going. Sadly, if younger people don't start getting involved, a lot of the community services that we offer will not be able to continue - and that would be a very sad thing indeed.”

Anyone interested in joining the Sharbot Lions can contact Bill Pyle at 613-539-8190. Residents in other districts interested in joining a club can google A3 Lions for more information on how to join.

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