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The Lions meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. To join us for dinner.contact Lion Bruce
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Citizen of the Year Paul Ivany
Photo credit Herb Garbutt from Halton Hills Today
Date: February 21
Citizen of the Year
The Georgetown Lons Club is pleased to announce that Reverend Paul Ivany has been selected as the Georgetown Lions Citizen of the Year (COTY). The award has been presently annually since 1973 to an individual, couple or organization, this year marks the 50th Anniversary of the COTY. The award recognizes those who have made Georetown a better place to live. The quality of the the nominations this year was very high making the final decision was difficult our community is so fortunate to have so many caring and committed people residing here.
Paul recently retired as the minister of Norval United Church after a 30 year long career taking the church from a small parish located in the hamlet of Norval to a large building that serves not only the spiritual needs of the parishioners but the broader community as well. The new building is now the permanent home for the North Halton Community Living adult day program and the North Halton Distress Centre.
In addition to his pastoral duties Paul has found the time to volunteer in a vast number of organizations including:
- Past member of the Norval Community Association, serving 2 years as Chair
- Past Chair of Georgetown Ministerial Association.
- Member of Georgetown Hospital pastoral care team.
- Led countless 8-week grief groups in conjunction with Jones’ Funeral Home. Saw the need for separate grief groups for those who lost a child and led those groups. Recruited and co-ordinated trained volunteers to continue to offer both grief groups to the community when he stepped away from his role as leader of the groups.
- Community Resource Person for “Safetalk” training that was provided to North Halton Distress Centre volunteers, Halton-Peel funeral directors, Separate School Board, and YMCA. (Safetalk is a 4-hour training workshop that equips people to be more alert to someone thinking of suicide and better able to connect them with further help.)
- Worked with Rick Bonnette and Bryan Lewis to arrange for all 300 town staff to have the opportunity to attend Safetalk workshops.
- Supported “Mental Health 1st Aid Training” through the Mental Health Commission of Canada that was open to community leaders and members of Norval United Church.
- Past member of Halton Hills Palliative Care Resource Team
- Participant in the Kairos blanket exercise to raise awareness of Indigenous issues
- Master of Ceremonies for 10 years for the ALS walk and a number of years for Lobster Fest
- Organize and plays in a brass band to kick off the Salvation Army Kettle Drive and previously played at Light Up The Hills
- Offered the invocation prayer for council’s inauguration
- Committed to advocating for LGBTQ+ and Indigenous communities
- Supporter of GFORCe2 and GFORCe3 (Georgetown Friends of Refugees Committee)
- Chair of the newly formed Halton Hills Interfaith Council
- Member of 100 Men who Care Halton Hills who have supported Food for Kids, Community Living North Halton, and CASHH in 2023.
- Director of the Bras Family Foundation which offers support to organizations working with those living with cancer, and also women and children fleeing abuse.
- Founding director of Redwood Shelter, a shelter for women and children located in Parkdale in Toronto
- Recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary club of Toronto-Parkdale
The Lions will honour Rev. Ivany at the awards dinner on March 26/24 at the Mold Masters Sportsplex, 221 Guelph Street. Tickets are $50.00 and may be reserved by calling Lion Doug Penrice @ 905-873-8469 or email doug1951.p@email.com.
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The Lions' Christmas Projects
The Lions have had a busy time with Santa Claus in the last six weeks. On November 18 we welcomed Santa to Georgetown in style at the Santa Claus Parade. On Dec. 1st was Light Up the Hills the Lions served 500 hot dogs on Ignition night and then Santa returned for Breakfast on December 16. All the proceeds from this event were donated to the Georgetown Bread Basket Food Bank and the Salvation Army.
Breakfast with Santa Dec. 16/23
L-R Sandra Whalen, Lion Doug Penrice and Reverend Cheryl Barker deliver food donation to the Georgetown Bread Basket
Santa Claus Arrived November 18/23
“I would like to thank the Georgetown Lions Club, the over 100 volunteers and the thousands of spectators that lined the route for their warm welcome. I have been coming to Georgetown for the parade since 1932. I would also like to thank all our corporate sponsors for their support and especially our Community Champions. You are all on my NICE LIST see you next year”.
Merry Christmas, Santa Claus
Want to Join Us Click on the Links Below to Find Out More about the Lions
Halton Hills, Ontario
Join us for Dinner Call for Details 905-873-8469
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