Amherst Lions continue their generosity to the community

Service clubs are the lifeblood of small communities and no where is that better demonstrated than here in Amherst. We had another example recently of the profound impact the Amherst Lions Club continues to make on this area through its financial support to a wide range of organizations.

The generosity of this special group of men and women who devote countless hours to serving and partnering with so many other groups in the community is really unprecedented.    

While they might not be a large club in terms of membership, Lions are in the forefront in so many ways. They lead by example and when you are looking for a group to spearhead a project whether it’s a drug awareness program for youth or help with a major fundraiser like the Highland Fling for the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, you can always count on the Lions Club to step forward.  

I can think of projects like the Cumberland YMCA, Little League ball field, the skateboard park and the West Highlands Elementary School. It was through the cooperation and generosity of the Lions Club that an appropriate site, the Lions Park, was made available for the location of the new elementary school.     

During their 64th annual anniversary dinner, the Lions were, as usual, in a giving mood. The annual event not only serves to celebrate Lionism, but also an opportunity to give back to the various community organizations it supports.   

Since receiving its charter in 1955, the Amherst Lions have contributed more than $3 million to this community.

The Lions are also making a difference beyond this town and county through their support to the Lions Foundation of Canada which helps with the purchase of guide dogs that give new life to the blind and the deaf, while contributions to the international foundation go to disaster relief around the world.  

Like so many other service organizations, many of the Amherst Lions Club members are in their senior years and they are now looking to a younger generation of volunteers to step forward.    Quite frankly, I can’t imagine Amherst and area without the presence of a vibrant and active Lions Club. You can be assured that when you support a Lions club-sponsored project, your contribution will in turn be returned to assist other organizations like Boy Scouts,  minor sports, the VON and the Cumberland Health Care Auxiliary.      

Geoff deGannes is the past chairman of the Tantramar Radio Society. His daily commentaries can be heard on 107.9 CFTA.