St Marys Lions Club

Ontario - Canada

Once again the St. Marys Lions held their annual Toll Bridge fund raiser on the Victoria Bridge, in scenic St. Marys. This is one of our biggest fundraisers, and it is very well received by the populace. Unlike previous years, the weather was not at all pleasant, with rainshowers, and some thunderstorm activity. The latter caused a temporary cessation of activity for safety reasons.   We hope this will not affect the total donations to a great degree. We want to take this opportunity to thank all those who stopped to donate. It is through the generosity of the people in St. Marys and area that we can continue to improve in many ways the lot of those less fortunate than ourselves. Please be sure to stop at our table at the Town of St. Marys Recreation Fair Friday, June 7, 2024 - 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Pyramid Recreation Centre. We will have information about the club and our activities.

On Monday, April 22th, 2024, the St. Marys Lions Club prepared and served another very delicious Community Church Dinner at St. Marys United Church for an amazing group of residents from St. Marys. It was a delight to see so many people present to enjoy the dinner. The Lions served mashed potatoes, chicken breasts with mushroom gravy, cole slaw, corn, a bun, and beverages, followed by chocolate or vanilla cake.. Thank you to all the residents who attended and thoroughly enjoyed the dinner. Special thanks to Shirley Porter, Kitchen Coordinator at St. Marys United Church for her experience and guidance. Thank you to all the Lions members who were able to assist with preparing and serving the dinner. Everyone had a wonderful evening and enjoyed dinner.(Photos courtesy, Lion Raymond Taylor)

The St. Marys Lions Club was pleased to have as their guest speaker, Optimist Manny Puetz from the Optimist Club of Downie, at their Lions Meeting on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at The Quarry Room. He was speaking to our members on a co-funding project to revitalize the Youth Centre at the Pyramid Centre in St. Marys. Pictured in the photo are Secretry, Lion Raymond Taylor, Cub President, Lion Gwendolen Boyle, 37W Zone Chair, Lion Evelyn Albers, Optimist Manny Puetz, Optimist Club of Downie and Treasurer, Lion Rob Stuart. (Photo courtesy Lion Dawn Reynen, St. Marys Lions Club, Lion Raymond Taylor)

St. Marys Lions Club hosted 4 members from the Thamesford Lions Club at our dinner meeting on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at The Quarry Room. It was a pleasure to have Lion Wayne Romphf, Lion Brian Feeney, Lion Ron Pearn and Lion Paul Vein to our meeting. Everyone enjoyed a Guiness Beef Stew with garlic bread and tea or coffee. Joining our Thamesford Lions in the photo are Lion Treasurer Rob Stuart, 37W Zone Chair Lin Evelyn Albers and Lion President Gwendolen Boyle. (Photos courtesy Lion Raymond Taylor)

It was our pleasure to welcome our Guest Speaker to our Lions meeting on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Lion David Millard from the Bridgeport Lions Club, who is the Committee Chair for Sight Screening in District A15 spoke to our club on Sight Screening for our local and area schools. Several of our members were interested in receiving training on Sight Screening. In the above photo is 37W Zone Chair, Lion Evelyn, CC, Lion David, Lion Debbie and Lion Gwendolen, President, St. Marys Lions Club. (Photo courtesy, Lion Raymond Taylor)

The St. Marys Lions Club was delighted to induct two new members into our club at our Lions meeting, Tuesday, February 6, 2024. Please give a Lions welcome to Lion Tony Reynen and Lion Dawn Reynen. It is such a pleasure to have both of them as new members in our club. Performing the Induction Ceremony was our very own, 37W Zone Chair, Lion Evelyn Albers. Sponsoring our new members is Lion Luke De Brabandere. Congratulations once again to Lion Tony and Lion Dawn and to Lion Luke for sponsoring our new members. Many thanks to 37W Zone Chair, Lion Evelyn for conducting the ceremony. (Photos Lion Raymond Taylor) Lion Evelyn insisted that my mug shot be included as well.

The St. Marys Lions Club had the pleasure of holding their first meeting of 2024 on January 2nd at THE QUARRY ROOM which is a new meeting place owned and operated by Gilly's Pubhouse in St. Marys. We had the pleasure of a Club Visit from District A-15, 37 Region Chair, Lion Joyce Townson of the Woodstock Lions Club, and she was accompanied by Lion Jennifer of the Woodstock Lions Club and her Dog Guide Tatum. It was a very enjoyable evening and the food was delicious. Many thanks to Gilly's Pubhouse for hosting our first meeting of the new year. The last photo shows Lion Jennifer, 37 Region Chair, Lion Joyce, and Lions President Gwendolen Photos courtesy Lion Raymond Taylor.

St. Marys Lions Club held their annual Christmas Dinner at the Queen's Inn, Stratford, Ontario on December 5th. We had the pleasure of having several guests with us on that evening. Santa Claus even dropped in to hand out some Christmas gifts for those Lions who were NOT on Santa's naughty list!  A wonderful time was enjoyed by everyone!

 For every Statutory Holiday from May until November, the ST. MARYS LIONS CLUB erects Canadian Flags on many of the store fronts in downtown St. Marys to beautify the main street. A donation is accepted on an annual basis to assist with repairing and replacing the flags. The flags were put up on October 5th for the THANKSGIVING Long Weekend. (Photos courtesy Lion President Gwendolen Boyle)

The St. Marys Lions Club was delighted to have First Vice District Governor, Lion Bill Robinson and Past District Govenor, Lion Tracey Robinson from the Stratford Lions Club as our guests at our dinner meeting on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at the St. Marys Fire Station. Everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner followed by a very productive meeting. We thank VDG Lion Bill for his greetings from the District and words of wisdom along with PDG Lion Tracey for her assistance this evening. In the first photo from left, is Zone Chair 37W, Lion Evelyn Albers; VDG, Lion Bill Robinson; PDG, Lion Tracey Robinson and Lion President Gwendolen Boyle, St. Marys Lions Club. (Photos courtesy Lion Raymond Taylor)

On Monday, April 24th, 2023, the St. Marys Lions Club prepared and served a very delicious Community Church Dinner at St. Marys United Church for an amazing group of residents from St. Marys. The Lions served mashed potatoes, chicken breasts with mushroom gravy, cole slaw, mixed vegetables, a bun, and beverages, followed by chocolate or vanilla cake.. Thank you to all the residents who attended and thoroughly enjoyed the dinner. Special thanks to Shirley Porter, Kitchen Coordinator at St. Marys United Church for her experience and guidance. (Photos courtesy, Lion Raymond Taylor)

ST. MARYS LIONS CLUB, ST. MARYS, ONTARIO
Several members of the St. Marys Lions Club assisted with serving a delicious breakfast/brunch at McCully's Hill Farm on Line 9 east of St. Marys, on Saturday, March 18, from 9:30 AM to 2 PM during their Maple Syrup Festival which runs throughout March. They served delicious pancakes with real maple syrup, pork sausages, maple baked beans, apple sauce, and a beverage. There were many families from St. Marys and the surrounding area who attended the festival and had an enjoyable time. (Photos courtesy PZC Lion Gerry Haliburton & PDG Lion Karen McKnight)

The St. Marys Lions Club would like to thank the residents of St. Marys and area for your support in donating your pre-owned eyeglasses to our Canadian Lions Eyeglass Recycling for Sight Program. We will forward your pre-owned glasses to the Canadian Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centre in Calgary Alberta, where they will be taken apart, cleaned, prescriptions read, and then packaged to provide recycled eyewear free of charge to people in developing countries. Special thanks to Lifetime Vision Care and St. Marys Optometry for allowing us to place our  Eyeglass Collection Boxes in their offices. (Photos courtesy, Lion Raymond Taylor)

On Saturday, May 28, 2022, the St. Marys Lions Club held their annual TOLL BRIDGE on the Victoria Bridge, Queen Street St. Marys. The St. Marys Lions Club wish to express a sincere THANK YOU to the citizens of St. Marys and area for their incredible generosity. All donations go toward community projects in St. Marys. (Photos courtesy Lion Raymond Taylor)

The members of the St. Marys Lions Club extend their deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Tom Skinner, a 50-year member of the St. Marys Lions Club, who passed on May 23, 2022, at the age of 94. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. 

Members of the St. Marys Lions Club prepared a Community Church Dinner on Monday, April 25th. On the menu were mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, chicken breasts with mushroom gravy, coleslaw, cookies and tangerines. The St. Marys Lions prepared 74 dinners which were delivered by our friends from the Rotary Club of St. Marys to residents in St. Marys. Many thanks to Shirley Porter, St. Marys United Church Kitchen Co-ordinator for her valued assistance and guidance. (Photos by Lion Raymond Taylor)

The St. Marys Lions Club is this year's recipient of the proceeds from GIVING TUESDAY held on Tuesday, November 30th. Members of the public were able to purchase a bowl of Hot Soup and a Sassy Bun for just $5. Pictured here are Club President, Lion Joe Sangster; Treasurers Lion Rob Stuart and Lion Georgina McGregor; organizer, Danielle Oke, Director of Residential Living at Kingsway Lodge and Fairhill Residence and Theresa Wakem, Administrator at Kingsway Lodge. (Photos courtesy Danielle Oke)

he St. Marys Lions Club was delighted to host 1st VDG Lion Tony Davidson from the St. George Lions Club for his official club visit on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021. Lion President Joe was pleased, on behalf of the members to present Lion Tony with a cheque for the charity of his choice and he chose Lions Quest. Lion Tony presented a very informative talk on the many happenings in the District and a message from the District Governor. A roast beef dinner was enjoyed by all served by Joe's Diner, St. Marys. (Photos courtesy Lion Raymond Taylor)

FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN EVERY VEHICLE: The St. Marys Lions Club recently donated another $1,000  toward the purchase of Fire Extinguishers to be distributed free to vehicle owners who submitted their names to a recent draw. The extinguishers were distributed at the St. Marys Fire Station on October 31, 2021. The response from our town was exceptional. Many recipients donated as they left to further the project. This initiative began in support of #CINDY'S LAW in honour of the late Cindy Devine who sadly perished in a car fire.  MPP Randy Petapiece and Mayor Al Strathdee handed out the extinguishers, St. Marys Lions Club President Joe Sangster greeted and directed the participants to the distribution point. St. Marys Chief Fire Prevention Officer Brian Leverton, instructed on the operation of the extinguishers, retired Paramedic Lorne Culbert graciously accepted donations from the recipients. Local resident Kenny Riordan assisted at the welcome table. (Photos courtesy Lion Gerry Haliburton)

The St. Marys Lions club recently had the pleasure of touring the new St. Marys Fire Station and was honoured to donate $7,500 to assist with the purchase of tools for vehicle maintenance along with other equipment as well as beautiful wall plaques with every Firefighter's picture proudly displayed on a wall at the entrance of the Fire Station. Lion President Joe Sangster was delighted to receive a plaque from Fire Chief Andy Anderson and the St. Marys Fire Fighters in appreciation for the donation. All members thoroughly enjoyed their tour of the new state of the are facility. (Photos courtesy Lion Raymond Taylor)

The St. Marys Lions Club held their third Selfie Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, August 7th. In first place, winning $100 was "Team Island Scavengers" with Briland Cunningham, Riley Cunningham, and Rose Feinweb. In second place, winning $50 was "Team Matheson Monster Jam" with Logan Cunningham, Quinn Cunningham, and Erin Cunningham. Honourable mention goes to "Team Lets Give It A Go" with Marg Jordan, Evelyn MacDonald, and Charlotte MacDonald. Presenters were Lion Past President Charlie Albers and Lion President Joe Sangster. Congratulations to all the winners! (Photos courtesy Mary Ridley)

Several members of the St. Marys Lions Club took part in a ceremony today at the newly renovated St. Marys Fire Station. They presented a cheque for $7500 to Fire Chief Andy Anderson for the purchase of new tools, to assist with equipment maintenance, and to assist with the cost of creating a Fire Department Organizational Wall of plaques for the firefighters. Pictured here from left are, Lion Marianne Ferguson, Lion Evelyn Albers, Lion Treasurer Rob Stuart, Lion Gerry Haliburton, Fire Chief Andy Anderson, Lion President Charlie Albers, Lion Stacy Howe, Lion Jill Haliburton, and Lion David Lloyd. They were also graced with a tour of the modernized Fire station and its amenities. (Photo courtesy Lion Marianne Ferguson)

Lion Jill and Lion Gerry are just two of the St. Marys Lions who are selling GAS DRAW TICKETS at Foodland. Lion Pres. Charlie, Lion Evelyn, Lion David, Lion Rob, Lion Marianne, Lion Georgina, Lion Ernie, and Lion Raymond also have sold tickets this past week. Tickets are also on sale at G.C. Boyle Law Firm (courtesy of Lion Gwendolen), Cascade Cleaners, and Joe's Diner.

St. Marys Lion Gwendolen Boyle ran in the Virgin Money London Marathon yesterday in St. Marys, Ontario raising money for World Animal Protection. Several of our Lions members encouraged her on at the beginning of the race as they proudly held Canadian Flags. We would like to congratulate and commend Lion Gwendolen for her ambition and her service to a worldwide organization.

Several members of the St. Marys Lions Club (practicing physical distancing) put up Canadian Flags this evening, to beautify the downtown core and to celebrate the start of the Victoria Holiday long weekend in St. Marys.

The St. Marys Lions Club cooked up a storm at the 22nd Annual St. Marys Horticultural Society Garden Fair held on June 1st at Milt Dunnell Field. Featured was sausage on a bun and hotdogs both with either sauerkraut or fried onions along with your choice of pop and water. The weather was fantastic and the flowers were beautiful. Many thanks to all the Lions who were able to be there to assist. (Photos courtesy PZC Lion Gerry Haliburton)

The St. Marys Lions Club held their Annual TOLL BRIDGE on Saturday, May 25th on the Victoria Bridge and received just over $3,000 in donations which are benchmarked for the refurbishment of the St. Marys Fire Hall. We would like to sincerely thank everyone for their donations and your continued support. (Photos Lion Raymond Taylor)

The St. Marys Lions Club was very pleased to have completed the Perth County Adopt-a-Road program on Sunday, May 26 as they picked up all the garbage along both sides of Perth County Road 123 which is the extension of Water Street S, all the way to highway #7. They collected 6 very full and heavy bags of garbage including several containers full of oil and anti-freeze as well as many paper cups and cigarette butts. Pictured here are Lion David Lloyd, Lion Jonah Mitchell, Lion Raymond Taylor, and Lion Bill McNeight. Also assisting were Lion David's wife, Anni and Lion Marianne Ferguson and her husband Ron. Thank you to all who were able to participate in this very worthwhile activity.  (Photos by Lion Raymond Taylor)

Members of the St. Marys Lions Club with material so graciously supplied by St. Marys Home Building Centre have constructed a shelter at the St. Marys Dog Park near the Junction station for people who bring their pets to the park. The shelter provides cover during sunny days as well as inclement weather. Many thanks to Chair, Lion Matthew Wakem, and our Lions members as well as the other volunteers who came together to make this project possible.

The St. Marys Lions Club displayed their Ginger Bread House float in the Santa Claus Parade on Friday, November 16, 2018 marching from the Pyramid Centre to the Canadian Tire parking lot. Many thanks to those who donated previously owned glasses to give the "Gift of Sight" to those in need in developing nations.

The St. Marys Lions Club was pleased to have special guests 37W Zone Chair, Lion Jody Cherwonak and Lion Sherman Roth of the West Coast Lions Club visit us this evening at our dinner meeting at Jennie's Restaurant. Lion Sherman introduced ZC Lion Jody being this was his first Zone Meeting. He encouraged us to "embrace the future" which is DG Lion Kevin's theme throughout 2018-19. Pictured below is PDG, Lion President Karen McNeight, 37W Zone Chair, Lion Jody Cherwonak, and Lion Secretary Marianne Ferguson.

In June of 2017 and again in June of 2018, Lions Marianne, Jill and Raymond presented well over 60 Canadian Flags to the Grade 1 students at Little Falls Public School and Holy Name of Mary School in St. Marys.  Across the country, Lions Clubs have the opportunity  to express their own pride in their community and country, as well as instill a level of pride in the countries young people. With last year being the Lions 100th Anniversary and Canada's 150th, it was a special event. (Photo Credit 2017, PDG Lion Karen McNeight, St. Marys Lions Club)

The St. Marys Lions Club cooked and serve lunch at the St. Marys Horticultural Society Garden Fair at Milt Dunnell Field on Saturday, June 2, 2018.

The St. Marys Lions Club hosted Guest Speaker, Pharmacist Cathy Forster, St. Marys LEO Club members and Spouses at a special dinner held at Jennie's Restaurant on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.

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