Lions support culinary program at new high school

Fort Erie area Lions clubs are doing everything they can to make ensure a smooth transition for the Pomegranate Restaurant to a new school.

The Ridgeway Lioness club, with support from the Black Creek Stevensville Lions Club, Ridgeway Lions Club and Fort Erie Lions Club, have been strong supporters of the culinary program, and last fall held a golf tournament and gala to raise funds to purchase kitchen equipment for the award-winning program and the student-run, critically-acclaimed restaurant. The event raised $22,000 and last week a cheque was presented.

The program and the restaurant will move to the new Greater Fort Erie Secondary School in September from Fort Erie Secondary School, which closes in June.

With some additional fundraising the total amount raised so far for the culinary program is $26,000. The Fort Erie Lions, Ridgeway Lions and Lioness have committed to raise a total of $42,000 to pay for new kitchen equipment.

“Our fundraising efforts will continue with events and other initiatives, but with this, our first contribution,” the clubs said in a joint news release. “We’d like to challenge all restaurant owners, chefs and anyone involved in the catering or food industries in Greater Fort Erie to make a donation to support the young chefs and entrepreneurs of the future.”

Donations by cheque should be made out to GFFSS Culinary Arts Donation c/o A2 Lions Charities and mailed to Secretary Ridgeway Lioness Club, 3730 Disher St., No. 8, Ridgeway, Ont., L0S 1N0. Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $20 and more. Donations of $50 and more will entitle the donors to have their names included on the donation wall at the Pomegranate Restaurant.

Donors should include complete name and mailing address.