The Lions Club of Land O’ Lakes Roar

Nawar El Khouri Hage | Dec 18, 2024

Some people watch a favourite movie a couple of times, I am not like that. I watch a favourite movie until I am able to recite every role in the movie! And at Christmas, my favourite movie is Love Actually. In fact, I am writing this Roar as I'm watching it. 

It is movie of a collection of stories that, while seemingly diverse, are in fact interlocked over the themes of love and Christmas. 

What if we changed the movie title and called it “Service Actually”, could we possibly become a blockbuster of our own with hundreds of interlocking stories? Could our services of bingo, euchre and darts that span more than 1,700 hours since July somehow be a completion of our service towards vision, diabetes, hunger and the environment. We’ve clocked over 2,000 hours combined with our special events of Ribfest, Human Maple Leaf Formation, Thanksgiving Dinner, and all Christmas activities.

And why would they not? We are men and women who devote our lives to serving the community that we treasure. We don't get a salary or a compensation for our work, which is a driving force for many, but not for us. 

For us, there is a nagging feeling in our hearts that keeps us going day after day. What are the themes that lock us one might ask? And the response would simply be those of service and its joys.

As the year ends, all I can say is thank you to every cub member who served the community from the heart; thank you to the community who received our service and returned it with messages of love and care; thank you to the businesses and donors who chose us as the recipients of their generosity; thank you to the media who promoted and covered our activities; and a final thank you to the President of our club, who led us by being our example.

Till we meet again in a Roar, find the stories that build your passions and fuel your dreams, and welcome 2025 with your wildest smiles and open hearts. Happy New Year Land O' Lakes. 

Editorial note from Chava: And if you really love Christmas, come on and let it snow!