Dog Walk - May 28, 2017
Greetings by Lion Marie
PDG Hank Hoekstra’s Opening Remarks - May 28, 2017
“Welcome to all of you, and thank you for supporting our cause – providing service dogs to those adults and children with disabilities and with medical support needs.
Lions Foundation of Canada was established in 1983 when some Lions took over a failing training school. Since then, more than 2,500 service dogs have been bred, trained, and placed, all at no cost to the recipients. This dog walk has in the last 21 years raised more than $14 million – including $1.3 million through dog walks in 245 communities last year. Your efforts and generosity make all this possible. After an 11year absence from a local walk, we hope to make this an ongoing annual event.
Lions Clubs International is the largest and oldest service club – now celebrating one hundred years of service. We are 1.4 million men and women in some 210 countries and geographical areas who are committed to improving people’s lives.
We have provided more than 153 million treatments for river blindness in Africa and sponsored 72 million doses of sight saving trachoma treatments. We have provided vision screening for more than 19 million children in North America. We recycle eyeglasses and take them to the third world on optical missions that provide glasses to those who cannot afford them. In Alberta, we sponsor and support the Lions Eye Research Fund which makes it possible for the Eye Institute of Alberta at the Royal Alexandra Hospital to research eye conditions and improve services to their patients.
We work locally – supporting youth sports teams, equipping playgrounds, supporting the disabled and disadvantaged. Lions played a major role in getting STARS Air Ambulance off the ground – more than $1 million so far. We organize and sponsor seniors’ housing.
Lions aren’t the only people who care. Our national dog walk sponsor, Pet Valu is committed to our cause, helping to lead in serving those who need help.
We thank the Bank of Montreal for their generous financial support, and for their presence here.
We are grateful to ATCO, Coca Cola, The Real Canadian Superstore, Safeway, Save On Foods, London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart, M & M Meats, Sobey’s and Airways for their donations and belief in what we are trying to do. We also wish to thank the City of Edmonton’s Community Services for their cooperation.
Shortly, we will start our walks – a short loop of 2km, or a longer loop of 3.8km. We will start from here, and invite you to follow the route markers. This is not a race – it is an opportunity to interact with other dog lovers and the volunteers – Lions – representatives of Pet Valu – Bank of Montreal.”
Lion Pres. Prince and friend Ken
Lion Sharon and CBC TV
Debbie and her Service Dog Nation.
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PID Patti Hill also came out for the walk.
