Lions Donor Wall Reveal
The Lions Club of Land O’ Lakes was proud and humbled by the show of support that was received on the 20th of June during the Emergency Preparedness Plan Donor Wall Reveal Ceremony.
The Capital Campaign of the Emergency Preparedness Plan was completed arriving to and exceeding its goal of raising $200,000 to bring the Lions Hall in Northbrook to the Emergency Shelter Renovation Code requested by the Townships and Fire Departments.
The Donor Wall Reveal Ceremony, as the name indicates, was a tribute to the donors that contributed to that completion in donations ranging from $1,000 to $20,000.
The event was attended by MP Shelby Kramp-Newman, MPP Ric Bresee, Reeve Tony Fritch, Mayor Gerry Lichty, Lions MDA LCIF Chair Renee Devenny, Lions A3 District Governor Bryan Adams and LCIF District A3 Chair Don Radnor who all thanked and congratulated the Lions, while also acknowledging the importance and the role played by the benefactors who made this possible.
Club President Lion Sandra Carman welcomed the guests, donors, community members, political figures and news agencies and thanked every community and club member who contributed in any form to the campaign. Capital Campaign Chair Lion Red Emond talked about the journey that led to the accumulation of the funds in what can only be described as a phenomenal, highly touching, narration of events. Lion Lynn Lowe, the Emergency Preparedness Plan Chair, who led this entire process, explained the reasoning and process of the renovations and the arrival to correct building codes.
Lion Mike Hage, the Emcee of the event introduced the Donors and invited everyone to the ceremonial cake cutting, Donor Wall Reveal and ribbon cutting. Lion Tom Hunter, the Emergency Preparedness Project Manager and Lion Richard Withers gave tours of the premises to guests explaining the changes that the building underwent.
It gives the Club great pleasure to mention those individuals and businesses who went above the expectations in their support for what is now officially named Emergency Shelter with recognition certificates from the Government of Ontario presented by MPP Ric Bresee, and Government of Canada Presented by MP Shelby Kramp-Newman:
Donors are: Ian Brumell & Margaret Axford (Mazinaw Community Fund), Gordon Hunter (Lakeport Power Inc), Lions Clubs International Foundation, District A3 Lions, Sharbot Lake & District Lions Club, Brad Douglas (YourWay Home Hardware),Lois Emond, Quinte Builders Hardware Ltd, Rashotte Home Hardware, Skootamata & District Ratepayers Association, Cecil Smitty (Smitty’s Appliances), Denbigh-Griffith Lions Club, Carquest Auto Parts.
Displayed on the wall are donor’s names and an artwork produced by members of the Club.
The one message repeated again and again, is that our club embarked on a journey that put massive pressure on its members to work and contribute to the community every year in donations exceeding $35,000 while also fundraising for the $200,000; and all for a project that they hope they will never ever need to use.
Most organizations focus their efforts on immediate needs; projects that will quickly be seen, celebrated, and put to use. This was different. This was a commitment from the Lions Club of Land O’ Lakes to preparedness, a dedication to protecting the community against a future crisis that may never come. It required vision, perseverance, and an unwavering belief that some of the most important work they do is preparing for the day they hope never arrives, while ensuring the service is there if it ever does
A history made one step at a time, and one that will be included in the collective memory with the hope they never have to see its outcomes in real life events
