The Estevan Lions Club had plenty of reasons to celebrate at a meeting on Aug. 29.
First of all, it was the 60th anniversary of when the club was chartered. The club was also celebrating the 100th year of Lions International. And they paid tribute to 50 years of service for one of its dedicated members.
To top it all off, the Lions presented more than $20,000 in cheques to various organizations.
A large crowd filled the Nicholson Centre to celebrate the various milestones.
John Johnson was saluted for his 50 years with the club. He was presented with a 50-year pin and a commemorative silver coin. He didn’t find out about the recognition until earlier in the day, and it came as a surprise.
“If you haven’t volunteered, you haven’t lived,” Johnson told the audience.
The opportunity to serve people was the reason he joined the Lions 50 years ago. When he was in business, service was a big part of their work. Service is a big part of why he joined the Lions, and why he remained with the club for 50 years.
“It’s something that you can’t tell anybody what it’s like until you’ve done it,” said Johnson.
He has also enjoyed the people he has met, the friends he has made and the activities associated with being a Lion.
“There isn’t a moment that I can say I regretted being in the club,” said Johnson. “I’d do it again tomorrow if I had the opportunity.”
Johnson was recognized by fellow Lions Club member Al Senchuk, who joined the Lions several years prior to Johnson.
“‘We serve’ is the Lions International motto, and John certainly has lived up to that motto,” said Senchuk.
Senchuk noted Johnson has been sure to attend the club’s meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Johnson would call members to remind them of meetings, special events and other activities.
Johnson also played a key role in fundraisers, including the Lions Lottery. But Senchuk told stories of selling hotdogs, hamburgers and refreshments at the old stock car track; selling Easter bunnies and canned peanuts in downtown Estevan; working at Bingos; and working on community projects.
Senchuk reflected on how the Lions were instrumental in moving the North West Mounted Police barracks from its old Woodend Place location to Woodlawn Regional Park.
“There, we spent time hammering and nailing, sawing and painting the old barracks, converting it into a museum,” said Senchuk.
But the building suffered from vandalism, and had to be moved next to the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum.
Photos of Johnson’s time with the Lions were shown for the audience. Johnson suspects it was difficult to find photos of him, because he spent so many years as the club’s photographer.
Mike Zeleny was the MC for the anniversary celebration, and explained the impact the Lions have on the community. They hold a golf tournament each year for CNIB. They also support the Rusty Duce Play Park and its outdoor rink, the disc golf course at Torgeson Park, and they made significant contributions to the new Estevan Regional Nursing Home fundraising campaign.
Then the Lions started handing out the cheques. They presented $3,000 each to the Estevan Salvation Army’s food bank and the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation for the new women’s health and cervical cancer screening; $2,500 to the STARS Air Ambulance and the local Habitat for Humanity committee; $1,500 to Choose Life Ministry and the Sask. Abilities Council’s Camp Easter Seal; $1,000 to Estevan Minor Box Lacrosse, the Envision Counselling and Support Centre, the Estevan Family Resource Centre, Estevan Diversified Service and Lions International Foundation; and $500 to the Lions Eye Bank of Saskatchewan, the Southeast College’s Scholarship Fund and the Estevan Sixth Scouts.
Zeleny estimated the Lions will donate $45,000 this year for various organizations. And in the last 10 years, they have donated $364,535, most of it to local causes.
At one point during the evening, Zeleny asked all of the Lions in the room to stand up, regardless of which club they were representing.
“The reason I wanted to ask you to stand is because I wanted to ask everybody to give yourself a round of applause,” said Zeleny. “Without all of you, none of this is possible.”
Terry McAleese, who is the district governor for District 5SKS, which covers southern Saskatchewan, and Dan Babyak, the district governor for District 5SKN (northern Saskatchewan), were both in attendance.
McAleese, who hails from Regina Beach, noted that the Estevan Lions Club was chartered on Aug. 29, 1957, and sponsored by the Regina Central Lions Club.
“We, as a collective group, look forward to your collective service for the next 60 years,” said McAleese.
Babyak, meanwhile, is a former Estevan resident who now lives in Esterhazy. He noted he spent many years in the club, and wanted to come back to offer his congratulations.
Local club president Jim Vermeersch described the anniversary as a great night, thanks to the recognition for Johnson and the money given out to local clubs. He was particularly pleased that the event fell on the 60th anniversary of the club being chartered.
“We were lucky to be able to do it on the 60th anniversary of the charter,” he said.
Vermeersch has been a Lion for 24 years, and said he has remained a part of the service club, in part, because of nights like the anniversary celebration when they get to hand out cheques and support those who support the Lions.
“It’s a great organization and I love being part of it,” said Vermeersch.
