Raglan helping out on world service day

http://raglan.gen.nz/2011/gail-watches-rugby-world-cup-on-flat-screen-tv/

Zone Report

It is very pleasing to have our membership back up to 12 again with two new members inducted at our changeover. Both of these ladies have been part of our Lions family support crew, working in the Opportunity Shop for many years now. The shop continues to be our main fund raising focus, something that older folk can assist us with, without causing too much stress. The work both at the shop and behind the scenes ensures the success of this project and it is obvious to us that we are filling a need in Raglan in these hard times.

This is managed by Kay Arden, Project Director and a handful of dedicated helpers, and members of Raglan Lions and their families.

We felt proud to hand over to Andrew a further $3,000 towards the Cancer Lodge when he came out to our change over.

As part of the wider part of the community that Raglan Lions participated in was the three, one off donations to:

1. The Zone Project (Cancer Society’s Lions Lodge fundraising appeal) of $10,000.00 (2010) and a further $3,000.00 at our recent changeover.
2. The Surf Lifesaving Tower and equipment $10,000.00
3. The sponsorship commitment to upgrade of the Museum $10,000.00
4. Kan tabs ongoing, (will work on a measurement for next meeting ie cans collected, weight)
5. Old Money project have just started (Will report progress next meeting)

The community commitments to Raglan Groups which we have established an ongoing partnership with are:

• Helping Hand Community Trust Van for Health/medical transport (Vehicle Maintenance),
• Support the Night Owls Vehicle, by purchasing tyres when required, registration and warrants.
• Surfing Academy assisting Raglan youth in Regional and National competitions,
• Raglan Volunteer Fire Brigade Operational Support Unit (Vehicle Maintenance),
• Funds to help the food bank when things are tough too,
• Sponsored a puppy through the NZ Ass for the blind, and always collect for the Red Puppy Appeal.

These projects are for the community need which enhance youth and/or brings value to the community.

The other interesting thing we did was provide money to have Safe Sound Indicators installed in the preschool day care in Wallis Street, and the Kindergarten in Stewart Street, we have had feedback from the day care, they are educating the children on noise levels and the damage it can do.

Wendy Coxhead (Secretary)

These projects are seen as iconic traditions for locals and regular visitors.

Presidents Zone Report

This year my team will accept “the challenge” of the District Governor and introduce a new projects to our stable of community projects: Raglan Lions Community Youth Van” 2011/2012 Lions Project

This a new project which I would like the members and the community to get behind, as we have in the past received a number of requests for funds for sports & youth to assist in transport costs, the groups include junior netball, soccer and rugby etc. This is not a short term project and it will involve the youth Groups of the Raglan Community to buy into the project and get involved.

The District Governor has said “take up the challenge”. So at the last Board meeting we have decided to give it a go and the members of the Lions Club invite all members of the community to become involved.

Phase One “Kick start with the Pirates”

So, on your behalf and the Operational Support Unit and the Lions Club we are hosted the PIRATES to Raglan. This was a kick start for the project by collecting funds on their way from Waiau Pa, Waiuhu, Pukekohe, Huntly, RAGLAN, Port Waikato, Mercer and Drury which will go to supporting needy Children in our community.

Activity

Pirate Vehicles will travel around the community collecting Gold coins, Fire Engines will do what Fire Engines do, get dressed up as Pirates in Fancy Dress, Follow the Fun Water Battles, and Crazy Fun for all of the Raglan Community.

Press release to the local papers

The  Pirates support children’s charities and events by entering sponsored vehicles into a `gumball rally' type event. The vehicles consist of cars to fire engines and are dressed up in sponsor colour’s and logos. The Pirate Event is to raise awareness for a charity and money by `shaking' buckets at the various stops on the way. Martin Searle, co organizer of the event says ‘we are a fun loving bunch who get together to support needy kids, it’s a really great feeling when you have achieved something for someone in need.’

The Pirates have a lot of fun during the event creating mayhem and noise from their vehicles flashing lights, sirens and horns. There are also ‘water' battles amongst those `pirate' vehicles that are equipped to battle with each other as well as the local fire brigades in each town they visit. The whole idea is to have fun amongst the children and raise money and awareness for the supported charity. This involvement also raises the profile of the participating sponsors that support the pirates to the public and the media. The Pirates raise thousands of dollars for children charities during these events. There are usually four events in a year the Pirates organise. The entry to the Pirates event is a $20 donation and is held over this weekend starting in South Auckland and heading out to an overnight destination in Raglan.

The event will travel on Saturday from Papakura to Waiau Pa, Waiuku, Pukekohe, Huntly then Raglan. On Sunday from Raglan, over to Port Waikato, Mercer and finishing in Drury. Should you hear or see the Pirates on the road coming to you, hold up your hand and the Pirates vehicles will stop give you some goodies for the children and/or collect your donation. All funds raised from the bucket shaking goes to the needy children.  Funds from this weekend go to assisting Raglan Lions purchase a community van they desperately need.

The team set off to meet the Pirates outside of town to check the passport requirements and game plan. The OSU led the pirates around town. This was to introduce the community to the project of raising funds for a means of transport for the sports youth groups of Raglan and Challenging the Raglan Volunteer Fire Brigade to a water fight at the Rugby club car park.

Bob MacLeod

President 2011/12

Things to do

1. Formulation of the Charitable Trust
2. Set up of a Raglan Leo Club to administer the day to day operations of the project
3. Call for Applications for the position of Trustee from the community
4. Draft application for Grants/ Loans
5. Set up a MOU with the Lions Club of Raglan, Raglan Community House
6. Prepare an application to The Lloyd Morgan Lions Clubs Charitable Trust
7. Inform Zone Chairman of project for support and heads up to District Cabinet
8. Invite District Leo Chairman, for advice and formulation/installation
9. Invite District Sponsorship & Fundraising Initiative Consultant, HBHS Leo Liaison Officer to brief The Lions Club and prospective trustees.
10. Call for expressions of interest in providing a suitable means of transport.
11. 2012 Invite the District Governor and the Pirates to cut the ribbon.