While Lions Clubs across Alberta continue to struggle with dwindling membership numbers, Jasper’s chapter has turned a corner and is growing.
The local Lions club warmly welcomed nine new members at its year-end meeting, June 7, increasing its membership to 24.
“I just wanted to give back to the community,” said new member Pamela Treiber. “My husband and I moved to Jasper a couple of years ago and we’ve been looking to get involved with something.
“We think it’s important to give back and set a good example for our children—after all we’re raising the future of the community and that has to be fostered while they’re still young.”
Along with inducting its new members, the club gave the floor to guest speaker Hank Hochstraw, the Lions Clubs’ district governor of Alberta. He applauded the Jasper club and encouraged them to keep going down the path that they’re on.
“We have 2,400 members in our district, but many clubs have fewer than 10 members. The best way to succeed is to be visible and hold events in your community,” Hochstraw said. “And it appears you guys are doing just that.”
Over the past year the Jasper Lions Club raised $26,000, which was divvied up and given to several different causes within the community, including the first Syrian refugee family, scholarships for Jasper Junior/Senior High School students, the Yellowhead Emergency Shelter, the Jasper Victim Services Unit and individuals in need. The club also held several events throughout the year including its second annual Easter egg hunt in March and its yearly bike auction in May.
“Our main focus is supporting community projects and people here who need help. We regularly get requests for people with disabilities and sight problems, and we always support that,” said Murray Ostrander, president of the Jasper Lions Club. “Most of the money we raise in the community stays in the community.”
While the club is winding down for the summer, it still has a few things to check off its to-do list.
First up will be the club’s annual family fun day being held at the Lions Park, June 19. The fundraising event starts at 11 a.m. and will include games and a barbeque.
Following those festivities, the club will get to work piecing together a float for this year’s Canada Day parade—something the club hasn’t done for three years.
“It’s a good opportunity to get our name out in the community,” Ostrander said.
As Ostrander looks to the club’s future, he said it will continue to stay focused on raising money for worthy causes in Jasper.
The Jasper Lions Club annual meeting came to a close with an awards ceremony, which honoured Dave Neilson and Richard Crayston with life membership awards. Ostrander was presented with the Melvin Jones Fellow Award while Soto Korogonas received the Lions Foundation of Canada fellowship and Don Pilger picked up the CNIB fellowship.
Kayla Byrne
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