Lions International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas worldwide.
Winnipeg River Area Lions Club (founded April 26, 2024) celebrated its Charter in Lions International on September 22nd at the Great Falls Community Center, Great Falls, Manitoba.
The celebration began with a land acknowledgment presented by Lion Kathy Majowski.
National Anthems of the US and Canada were sung by Liliana Lavallee.
Master of Ceremonies was Lion Linda Baxter (Beausejour Lions)
Wayne Ewasko (MLA, Lac du Bonnet) spoke and delivered greetings from James Bezan (MP, Selkirk and Interlake.) Raymond Garand (V-Chair MMF Local 77), Diane Dube, councilor at the RM of Alexander, and Judy LeRoye, councilor at the Town of Powerview Pine Falls also addressed the attendees. The Winnipeg River Area Lions Club asked attendees to bring food or monetary donations for the Lac du Bonnet and Area Food Bank to the celebration. The event collected one hundred pounds of food and over $128.00 (donations are still being made).
Lions International Past District Governor, Mike and Karen Hagen (MN, USA) presided over the induction of 20 Chartered members of the Winnipeg River Area Lions. The club has 26 members including 4 who joined at the Charter Celebration.
Winnipeg River Area Lions were presented with a framed Charter Document signed by all the chartered members. Club President, Joel Spearman gave an acceptance speech on the club’s behalf.
Lac du Bonnet Lions Club President, Greg Short presented the Winnipeg River Area Lions with a Club Banner, gavel, and engraved gong. Lac du Bonnet Lions are the sponsors of the newly chartered club.
The Winnipeg River Area Lions received several special gifts to commemorate the occasion. Wayne Rudd, a resident of Powerview Pine Falls and a former member of the original Winnipeg River Lions gave the original charter document from that club. The framed document will be stored at the Winnipeg River Heritage Museum. Lion Brian Nazarko, of the Riverside Lions in Winnipeg gave an original ‘club pin’ from the Winnipeg River Lions. The pin was added to the new club’s banner.
PDG Lion Gerald Fontaine (Sage Creek Lions) presented a ‘Mascot’
The Winnipeg River Area Lions Club began as a Branch Club of the Lions Club of Lac du Bonnet in February of 2023. By January 2024, the Branch Club recruited over twenty members and made a successful application to Charter a Lions Club with Lions International. The Winnipeg River Area Lions will serve in the communities along the shore of the Winnipeg River from Great Falls to the beaches at the southern basin of Lake Winnipeg. In the past twelve months, the club has participated in several community events including the 4P Festival in Powerview-Pine Falls (Labour Day weekend), the Great Falls Centennial Celebration, and the Canada Day Weekend Celebrations in Lac du Bonnet. The club's service work has focused on food security in the area, the Lions Foundation Walk for Dog Guides, the Lions Foundation Kidsight Vision Screening, and the Lions Foundation Eyeglass Recycling Program. With solid fundraising efforts in place, the Winnipeg River Area Lions are poised to offer significant service projects and support in our community for years to come.
Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.
