Lions at work in the community

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 438, 2 June 1992, Page 7

Lions at work in the community

The community service club known as 'Lions' celebrates 75 years this year, and the local Ruapehu Lions Club has submitted the following article about themselves "Seventy five years ago, Chicago businessman Melvin Jones founded what is today the world's largest humanitarian service organization - The International Association of Lions Clubs. Jones' idea was to utilize the resources of businessmen and other professionals to benefit communities and people in need. Today, his vision lives on through 1.4 million members throughout the world.

"The mission of Lions clubs was altered forever by Helen Keller, who, in a moving speech at their 1925 International Convention, challenged the group to adopt the cause of the visually handicapped by becoming "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness." The challenge was accepted and, since then, Lions have become leaders in the fight against visual impairments. This role took on its greatest significance in 1990 when Lions launched Sight First, a US$130 million initiative to rid the world of preventable and reversible blindness. Ruapehu needs "In addition to its

global programs, each Lions club works at a grass roots level to identify local needs and improve the quality of life within its own community. "Readers may not know that in Ohakune and Raetihi, Lions are responsible for the following projects: youth exchange, the new buildings at the Outdoor Pursuits Centre, major sponsorship of Waimarino Rescue Helicopter, camps for terminally ill children, fund raising for both local fire brigades, sponsors for needy children who want to go to youth camps, building of Tangiwai Memorial and its upkeep, providing premises for senior cit-

izens' meetings, taking them on annual outings, providing special training for teachers of adolescent children locally plus many, many large and small tasks that help people reach their goals. "The men and women who are members of Lions Clubs International take great pride in celebrating 75 years of service achievements. Readers who would like to know more about Lions' work or who feel they might have something to offer can contact Fred Collett, President 3858 871, Wally Parkes 3858 784 or Ian Strachan 3858 784." Ruapehu Lions Club