Photo Karen Graham.
MP Jamie Schmale, MPP Laurie Scott and Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark joined the Millbrook Lions as friends, neighbours and Lion members from other areas came to celebrate the local club for their 75 years of community service.
Most of us are most familiar with this club through its ubiquitous food trailer which is usually in the vicinity during most community events, including the Kick off to Summer event last month as well as the Millbrook Fair. In fact, it has already made 11 appearances this season.
Stanch supporters of activities hosted by other community groups, the Millbrook Lions’ Club also organize their own events both independently and in partnerships with other local organizations. One of the most popular family events of the season is their Annual Fishing Derby where they are joined by Millbrook Trout Unlimited. Next weekend they will be hosting their Annual Classic Car Show in downtown Millbrook, and on July 15th they will host another one at Kawartha Downs in partnership with the Bewdley Lions’ Club. They host monthly community breakfasts from October until May, as well as a monthly men’s breakfast at Centennial Place. They have coordinated walks for guide dogs. They can be found on the grounds of Kawartha Downs selling 50/50 tickets, and have been known to do the same at Peterborough Speedway.
However when club members talk about serving, they are not referring to hamburgers. These activities are just a means to an end, which is about a broader service to all parts of the community. Usually their gifts are delivered without fanfare, but perhaps someone should be drawing attention to their activities to give the community a chance to appreciate the extent of their support.
Lions’ Club donations have helped local school breakfast programs, Millbrook Community Care, Millbrook EarlyON Family Centre, Cavan Monaghan Libraries, the Millbrook Legion, our foodbank, our Historical Society, our Agricultural Society, and many more. The group has also spearheaded capital projects such as the installation of the elevator at the Millbrook Medical Centre and the Lions’ Park.
On Saturday, the group celebrated 75 years of serving the community. Political dignitaries joined members past and present to acknowledge this significant landmark, documented by a framed Club Charter. This evidence of their membership in the International organization has not been there for long. Lion David Goode described the circuitous route of the original Millbrook and District Lions’ Club Charter, which went astray in the mail and was eventually returned to the club via a local flea market operator. It had been discovered in its original cardboard tube packaging by someone cleaning out their attic.
Even as the members celebrated their years of service, there was very little talk of specific achievements or donations, and perhaps that’s part of the nature of the club. Like their sister clubs around the world, they are there for any group and anyone in need of support.
Of course, Lions members know that while they do the work, it’s the community support of their ongoing fundraising activities that made these donations possible. If you are interested in making a difference in our community, consider joining this group of volunteers. New members are always welcome. For more information, contact them at millbrooklionsclub@gmail.com
