PRESENTATION OF $20,000 FUNDS RAISED FROM THE WAIKANAE LIONS 2019 SUPER GARDEN TRAIL
Above with Immediate Past President Kevin Woodley following the presentation of this year’s (2019) Super Garden Trail funds. Pictured left to right IPP Kevin, Cancer Society community ambassador Janie Cook and Zeal’s Kapiti manager David Orchard with Kara McDougall. (also from Zeal) At far right is Lyn O’Connor of Leybourne, Waikanae, who was singled out for appreciation as the most frequent donor of her gardens. (See text below of Kapiti News item)
WAIKANAE LIONS SUPER GARDEN TRAIL A HUGE SUCCESS!
Waikanae’s two-day Super Garden Trail in January proved anoth er huge success and cheques for $10,000 each have been presented to the Cancer Society and the youth development organisation Zeal Kapiti.
It’s the result of another major effort by Waikanae Lions who have raised more than $500,000 over the last 22 years for voluntary organisations ranging from Wellington Free Ambulance and the Life Flight Trust to the Malaghan Institute and Mary Potter Hospice.
“We couldn’t run major events like the Super Garden Trail without the whole-hearted co-operation of home owners with lovely gardens and the public who take so much pleasure from seeing them,” says Lions president Kevin Woodley.
This year 13 gardens were on show – spread between Waikanae Beach and Hemi Matenga - and 1,300 people made donations to see them.
Mr Woodley says once again the unsung heroes were the Waikanae Lions Club members and supporters, including young volunteers from Zeal Kapiti, who put the show together.
The Club appreciated the support of its nine sponsors whose contributions made sure all the organisational details could be handled.
“It’s a team effort all round and that’s what makes it so successful” says Mr Woodley.
LIONS AND ZEAL KAPITI FORGE NEW TIES TOGETHER (SOURCE KAPITI NEWS 12 JUNE 2019)
Waikanae Lions past president Terry Burch, left, Zeal Kapiti general manager David Orchard, and Waikanae Lions president Kevin Woodley outside the Zeal building in Paraparaumu.
Waikanae Lions and Zeal Kapiti have forged a mutually beneficial partnership over the last few years. It has had the effect of providing funding for Zeal Kapiti and assistance to Waikanae Lions from the young people involved.
Zeal Kapiti is a youth development centre, located in Rimu Rd, Paraparaumu, which opened last year.
Long before the opening, both organisations entered into a memorandum of understanding where Waikanae Lions proposed to provide funding to Zeal Kapiti over a five year period to assist with some of the initial fitout and ongoing costs of the building as well as the development of specific training courses or the acquisition or maintenance of specific training equipment. And during the design phase, Lions member Noel Morgan, who is a retired engineer, provided project management and design advice pro bono, saving Zeal a lot on professional fees, and another Lions member Terry Burch provided help to Zeal’s advisory group when needed.
So far Waikanae Lions has given Zeal Kapiti $29,000, mainly from its annual Super Garden Trail. While Waikanae Lions provided funding and expertise, members of Zeal assisted with a range of projects carried out by Waikanae Lions.
At the last three Garden Trails, Zeal provided musicians that have played at some gardens and also used their coffee cart to provide coffee for the public. At the annual garage sale, they provide a bit of muscle in helping to move sale items from storage to the venue for sale. They also assist in the annual fertiliser drive and telephone book distribution.
“It is a benefit to both organisations,” Waikanae Lions president Kevin Woodley said. “It provides an opportunity for young people to mix with our older Lions fraternity while also giving our Lions members an insight into the younger generation.
“The bottom line for us is that today’s youth are the leaders of tomorrow and the more we can help them stretch their minds and capabilities the more successful they will be.”
Zeal Kapiti general manager David Orchard said the partnership “has not only enabled our mission on the ground as we set up the new facility, but also given young people the chance to support the Lions with various community projects and fund raisers”.
“This is a unique opportunity for our young people to get alongside Lions members and give back, and has been very rewarding for our crew.
“As we have worked together alongside the Lions members, Zeal young people have been able to see their generosity and community engagement in action.
“This has given our crew a deeper understanding of what Lions clubs can do, and hopefully this will encourage young people towards involvement with Lions in the future.”
Waikanae’s senior citizens enjoy an early Christmas 5 December 2020
Food, friendship and festive cheer were on the menu as Christmas dinner came early for over 70 of Waikanae’s senior citizens when the Waikanae Lions Club hosted its annual Seniors Christmas Luncheon on Saturday 5th December.
The Lions Club has been holding this event for 20 years and the event convenor Alan Gibbs said it was the Club’s way of bringing some festive cheer to local seniors who are living alone and away from family members.
A very tasty two course meal was prepared by the wives and partners of the Lions members and coordinated by Linda Todd. "We just really enjoy putting it on for the community and know that those that attend get a lot out of it," she said. Guests were served a main of freshly carved glazed ham, roast chicken with a wide variety of seasonal vegetables and salads. For those who had room left for dessert, Pavlova and fresh fruit provided a sweet treat to finish followed by a slice of Christmas cake.
Alan Gibbs said the event would not have been possible without the generosity of local organisations, such as New World who had donated the vegetables and fruit, and the support of the Waikanae community for its various fundraising activities during the year, such as the Fertiliser sale, Book Fair and garage sales.
Guests were entertained during the afternoon with music and singing by three young girls from Paraparaumu College, before an appearance from the busiest senior citizen of all, Santa Claus, to hand out a gift for everyone to take home.
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