MINDEMOYA – It takes teamwork to make a successful draw, dinner and dance for the annual Homecoming Weekend festivities in Mindemoya. After the Elimination Draw on Saturday, June 29, 16 hardworking Central Manitoulin Lions Club members stopped for few moments for a group photo with their two Lion mascots. The 16 Lions in the photo included Janice Abbott, president front and centre, right behind the lion wearing the blue jacket.
This was the 31st annual super draw, dinner and dance as part of their Homecoming Weekend festivities, kicking off the summer fun and festivals on Manitoulin. Last Saturday was also the final elimination draw. The Lions can take pride in the long and successful run the elimination draw has had since 1989.
Lions President Janice Abbott said, “It was a great team effort. Everyone worked hard to make it a success. Next year, we’ll change it up and do something different.”
The Lions’ fundraising efforts support a wide variety of community needs. Since the clubs rely heavily on volunteers, 95 percent of their net proceeds go to worthy causes like work with the blind, the Eye Van, the Diabetes Association, Kidney Foundation and Cancer Society and hospital renovations. They also support youth and recreation activities, bursaries for Manitoulin Secondary School students to continue their education, the community public pavilion and other projects as they arise. Only five percent of net proceeds are spent on administration.
The Elimination Draw, Dinner and Dance brought many former residents back to Manitoulin to meet old friends and relatives for 31 years. It is a big job, and the entire community has benefited from the efforts of the Lions volunteers.
“We have about two dozen members,” said Janice Abbott, “and we’re still going strong. We just recruited three more members on Saturday!” Their fundraising efforts for the community will continue.
“Next year’s homecoming weekend will have a little something new.”
“We have about two dozen members,” said Janice Abbott, “and we’re still going strong. We just recruited three more members on Saturday!” Their fundraising efforts for the community will continue.
