Lions clubs support communities

One of the projects of southern Lions clubs is to provide funding for rooms at Ronald McDonald House at Southland Hospital in Invercargill.

The 52 clubs in the 202F district - from Wanaka south and from Clinton south - are giving money for the upkeep of the house’s kitchen, living room and patiobarbecue areas.

Three of the Lions clubs - Wyndham, Otautau and Lumsden - joined forces to produce a Southland farm location book and wall map. Both are being sold to raise funds. Three or four members from each of the clubs formed a sub committee to steer the project.

On its own account, the Wyndham club has produced a community phone book for Wyndham and Edendale. Advertisements in the book paid for the production costs.

Wyndham club member Ivan Crean recalled donated apples and swedes being distributed amongst senior citizens in Wyndham in recent years.

The Otautau Lions Club is organising a cook-off competition in March to raise funds for a health shuttle bus in the region.

A four-wheel drive on the hills of Athol and Garston in February is a Lumsden Lions Club’s fundraiser, secretary Cheryl Clearwater says.

‘‘[Representatives of all southern] clubs meet up two or three times a year to see what each other is doing.

‘‘If there’s a crisis, we can call on fellow clubs . . . we all come together.’’

Meanwhile, the Roxburgh and Districts branch staged Lions Christmas in the Park in the town recently. Central Otago musicians performed and money raised will be used in the Roxburgh and districts area.

New Zealand Lions clubs are part of Lions Clubs International which celebrates its centenary in 2017.