PA Lions’ new president promises to fill ‘big shoes’
Club celebrates numerous successful ventures benefiting community
It was an eventful Saturday (July 9) at the Port Alfred Ski Boat Club as the Lions Club of Port Alfred officially inducted 11th president Max Stander, while John Dell’s twoyear term officially came to an end.
Speakers praised Dell for serving the club and the community with dedication, integrity and hopeigniting community activities.
In his address, Dell spoke of teamwork and strings of community activities, showing that Stander has big shoes to fill.
Dell said since the Covid-19 lockdown, it had taken a while for things to get back into full swing.
“With the huge support of my club members we have managed to do quite a few projects and help many people.”
In October 2021, Paula Stander joined the club and took over the portfolio of diabetes testing, assisted by Zelda Elliot, Annie Willliamson and Rob Brunette.
In February, 87 people were tested.
“Paula is very well-qualified and ideal for the position. Our days at the two malls have been a great success,” he said.
Rob Brunette headed up White Cane Day. International White Cane Safety Day (October 15) gives the
Lions an opportunity to increase awareness of white cane traffic safety laws.
According to the World Blind Union which represents the 285 million blind or partially sighted people worldwide, “White Cane Day is observed worldwide to recognise the movement of blind people from dependency to full participation in society”.
Francois de Klerk, from Multi Security, was praised as a workhorse of note after installing security cameras at the NSRI, with the support of the Lions Club.
Other notable contributions were made by:
Norman Elliot: Organising the repair of wheelchairs which he places in various retirement villages or lends to people in need of them.
Iain Macrae: Dedicated to looking after the needs of the SPCA.
Alec McKerrow: Lions Port Alfred treasurer and represented the Lions at the Police Forum.
Max Stander and Norman Elliot: Uplifting the Golf Academy.
Norman Elliot: On Arbour Day he planted five trees – four at the Bathurst Show Grounds and one at the Golf Academy.
Mike Newlands: The sale of Christmas cakes is the Lions’ main project. Led by Newlands, they raised R35,000 from cake sales.
Max Stander: Collected toys and distributed them to needy children.
Paula Stander: Handed out sanitary pads to 38 matric girls at Kuyasa Secondary School and gave them a talk.
The Lions Club:
● Received a mielie meal donation which was passed on to Huis Diaz in Alexandria.
● Donated R5,000 towards book prizes to Shaw Park School.
● After a fire which left a family homeless, the club collected clothing and blankets and in conjunction with Rotary and Round Table, delivered these to the family.
● Helped with the NSRI Golf Day and Hospice Golf Day which raised R24,500, and 73 people were tested for diabetes.
● Donated R1,000 in fuel to Multi Security for the quad bike that patrols the beach to protect visitors.
The company’s next security project will be security cameras at Rosehill Mall (Francois de Klerk).
● R2,000 donated to the Port Alfred High School archery club.
● R5,000 sponsored to Kleinemonde Coastal Kindness towards a resuscitation training doll (Max Stander).
● Incoming officers training at Port Alfred
● Fundraising Dinner Dance.
The incoming president promised to increase the club’s membership, saying “106 years ago Melvyn Jones with friends created Lion’s Club International to serve his community”.
“Today, there are 46,000 clubs with an average total of 1.4 million members all over the world.
“Lion’s Club Port Alfred plans to continue what Melvyn Jones started in our community,” Stander said.
“Our main objectives for the year are to rejuvenate our club with new members, to revitalise our club with new service opportunities, to excel in leadership and club operations and to share our club achievements with the community.
“We are also excited about the prospect of working with other likeminded organisations to better serve our community.”
The induction of the 11th president and the 11th anniversary of the club harter saw club members recognised for their outstanding roles.
Multi Security received a certificate of appreciation in recognition of outstanding support to the Lions Club of Port Alfred.
Outgoing president Dell received the Lions Clubs International Multiple District 410 Louis Volks Humanitarian Award.
Mike Newlands received the Melvin Jones Fellowship certificate.