Add to the Pride- become a Lion

They’ve raised thousands of dollars for the community and given countless volunteer hours, but now the Lions Club of Windsor needs help.

Older members are retiring faster than new members are joining and the club membership is dwindling. “We need new, young members that can take the load off of the rest of us and bring in some new, fresh ideas.”

Lion Ruth Fader has been trying to boost the pride. As a participant in an older workers job program, she took advantage of her recent work placement to help the Lions roar a little louder and recruit new members.

Fader initiated one of its most ambitious recruitment campaigns aimed at raising awareness of the club and its activities. “It came as a big surprise to us to find out how little people know about the Lions Club,” she said

Although there is no mistaking the bright yellow vests at parades and fundraisers, many people don’t know about club. “We’ve hit a critical stage. Like everyone else, we're getting older and now it's time find some new blood,” says King Lion, Cecil Cunningham, a longtime member of 37 years.

He added ageism is one of the hurdles they’ve encountered when trying to drum up membership. “We know people look at us and think this is just a seniors’ group, but this isn't an old man's club or a secret society,” he said. “The Lions are a group of men and women helping those less fortunate. It's that simple.”

Although it’s difficult to recruit busy career people, he said being a Lion doesn’t have to add up to a heavy time commitment. “People worry that if you join, you have to ‘marry’ the club. But that’s just not so anymore,” he added. “People can put in whatever time they have, it all helps.”

Harry Falkenham has been a member for 28 years and has never looked back. “We work hard, but we have fun. If you don't enjoy it, why do it?” he added.

The most rewarding part of being a Lion is the satisfaction you get from giving back to the community. Recently, they were able to provide a pair of eyeglasses for a young baby. “The expression on that baby’s face changed the moment the glasses were put on and she could see her mother for the first time,’ he said. “She just lit up. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.”

There are dozens of examples all equally as touching, but Falkenham said these are the stories seldom heard. “People don’t know about everything we do because it is kept confidential, but on any given night we get half a dozen request from individuals for help.”

The club raises hefty funds for community organizations and individuals, both on an international and local front. “It's nickel and diming, but we’ve raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years and every penny goes back to the community.”

In recent years the Lions were able to purchase a $6,000 insulin pump, two ‘halter’ heart monitors for the Hants Community Hospital, as well as a seeing-eye dog. These are just a few of the big-ticket items they’ve been able to provide.

Last year alone, their budget totaled close to $50,000, the majority of this went toward local initiatives such as Christmas Angels; The Hants Aquatic Center; CNIB; a seniors’ bus; kids camps for children with diabetes and cancer; as well as health equipment like wheelchairs and hospital beds. “The bottom line is that without the Lions Club there would be a big hole in the community and we can't let that happen,” Fader said. “We have primary objectives each year but we get so many requests above and beyond that. We do need donations, but now we need bodies, as well.”

For more information on how to become a member contact King Lion, Cecil Cunningham at 798-9716 or go to www.windsorns.lionwap.org