St. George Lions roar

“We serve.” This is the response Rick Ireland, president of the St. George Lions Club gives when he talks about the significant donation the club members gave towards the MRI for Brantford General.

“Everything the Lions do has a purpose,” Rick explained. “We are here to serve the community and the less fortunate. Our members enjoy seeing the end result of our hard work.”

Recently, club members Jim Gambacourt, past president of the club, Murray Tottle and Harry Witteveen arrived at the hospital with a cheque, a very large cheque for $20,000. In accordance with the wishes of the club members the money will go towards the MRI at Brantford General Hospital.

According to Rick $20,0000 is the largest donation the club has ever made. In previous years they have generously provided $6,500 for an insulin pump and $5,000 to a young girl that required a liver transplant. To help prevent blindness around the world, a Lion's International priority, the club has provided $10,000.

“Last spring we began to talk about the MRI,” Rick said. “Our directors thought it was worthwhile so we brought the recommendation to the club membership for a vote. Harry Witteveen, who has been a Lion for 55 years stood up and spoke about the need for an MRI. Others related their experience having to drive out of town, some to the US, for MRI scans. We had no problem getting approval- even for such a large donation.”

Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with 1.3 million members in 45,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographic areas. There are at least a half dozen Lions Clubs in our area; the St. George Lions boasts 43 members. The sum of the combined number of year's service of the members to the club totals a whopping 560! Last year they celebrated their 60th anniversary and have a history of supporting many humanitarian causes.

Rick is a relative newcomer since joining the club 8- years ago. “I retired from the Brantford Police Service and after doing a little bit of work for the County I was looking for something,” he said. “Murray Tottle convinced me their club was a good outfit to belong to. I signed up and it didn't take long to find out that he was correct.”

To make sure the Lions club coffers are filled up the members are out on the fall fair circuit these days. “We have a food trailer that we drive to the fairs and events such as the International Ploughing Match,” Rick explained. “We also do steak barbeques and a turkey roll to make money. It is a lot of hard work and a lot of hours. We volunteer and really enjoy ourselves.”

According to Kari Wilson, coordinator- public affairs & development in the foundation office, the $20,000 donation towards the MRI means the St. George Lion's are the largest single contributor in the community group sector. She said, “They are really a great bunch committed to strengthening our community.”

The entire cost to the hospital for the MRI is $3-million and with the Lion's donation the goal is within reach with approximately $750,000 still to be raised. The annual cost to operate the MRI program is $800,000, which will be provided by the government.

Soon, the citizens of Brantford and area will be able to have MRI scans done locally. Our community is very thankful for Rick, Jim, Murray, Harry and the other 39 members of the St. George Lion's Club and their motto ‘We Serve.'

Gary Chalk is senior executive director- public affairs & development for the Brant Community Healthcare System. Brantford General is a regional health centre providing primary, emergency and specialized services. The Willett, Paris is a multi-service health centre providing urgent care, primary care and community outreach programs.