Walking around 100 Mile House is a lot like looking into the history of the 100 Mile House Lions Club.
The club, which is celebrating its diamond anniversary this year, has played a huge role in the growth of 100 Mile House, helping either wholly, or in part, with: the 100 Mile District General Hospital, Centennial Park, Stan Halcro Arena, Mill Site Lodge and more.
Folks are invited to come out and help celebrate the club’s 60th Anniversary party on April 23 at the 100 Mile Community Hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6 and then dance to entertainer Mark Allen at 7 p.m.
This year’s theme is volunteer appreciation, says Lions president Neil VanderHorst.
“We want to recognize the many volunteers of this area. All volunteers, not just clubs but the people who do the work deserve recognition and appreciation.”
Two speakers will give short talks during dinner: former 100 Mile House Lion Club member and past-president Mayor Mitch Campsall and Lions First Vice-District Governor Wanda Carisse, who serves British Columbia and Northern Washington.
Both will speak about volunteering, not only as a Lion or as an organization but as individuals and the importance of their involvement, VanderHorst explains.
“We will have a memorabilia table set up in the corner of the hall. Its been so interesting to look at all the accomplishments and photos of past Lions.”
Local club history
The 100 Mile House Lions Club was officially chartered in Jan. 18, 1956, sponsored by the Kamloops Chapter, and Charter Night was on Feb. 4.
The charter group consists of some well-known pioneers who played important roles in 100 Mile House’s history.
“We are part of Lions International, says Ron Graves, Lions secretary and member since 1968.
“We have 1.3 million members worldwide in 205 countries and geographic areas. “Locally, we have 28 members, with four new members joining this year.”
The fundraising activities held by the local Lions are too numerous to mention, but they still support Easter Seals House, hold the occasional dance and magic show, and over the years, has raised in excess of $600,000.
The 100 Mile House Lions, along with Martin Cecil, played a huge role in building Centennial Park, Graves says, adding that around 1967 they built the original area, provided shelters, barbecues, tennis courts and a bridge that has since been replaced.
“We had to replace the shingles on the shelters; people were using them to start their campfires.”
So many of the buildings in the town are here in large part because of the Lions, their fundraising efforts and or their volunteer hours.
They include: Stan Halcro Arena; Lions Den at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre; the Green House at Millsite Lodge; and the bar in the 100 Mile Community Hall.
The lions provided a stair lift, tables and chairs at Pioneer Haven, as well as a climbing wall for Peter Skene Ogden School, Graves explains.
“We also built a health centre for the town, which is now the Parkside Art Gallery,” says Graves.
“We were able to get the land donated, received grants, lots of local donations were raised, and lots of volunteer labour got it built.”
Donations to great causes
The Lions donate to a lot of youth organizations: minor sports; science fairs; travel cost for educational and athletic events; student exchanges; Educo; cadets; dry grad; scholarships; 4H; Cedar Crest; drug-and-alcohol awareness programs; and more.
They also donate to behavioural programs and various camps for disabled and disadvantaged youth.
The 100 Mile House Lions Club is an international organization and some of the money raised is sent in for: research and collecting hearing aids to be recycled; Diabetes research; Arthritis; Lions Club International Foundation to assist in times of disaster around the world; CNIB and the White Cane Club.
“We help with Guide Dogs of Canada, to assist the blind, deaf, physically disabled or autistic persons and [fund] service dogs.”
Another service the Lions do is collect eyeglasses which are recycled to help prevent, correct and restore sight for people in poorer areas of the world.
Lions International was challenged by Helen Keller in 1925 to be the “Knights of the Blind,” and it was a challenge they accepted wholeheartedly. Last year alone, 1,500 pairs of glasses were collected in 100 Mile House and they were sent off to be assessed and then shipped around the world, Graves notes.
Over the years, there have been millions of pairs of glasses sent to poorer countries through the Lions Sight First program.
Changes over the years
Graves says he has seen many changes during his years as a Lion
It has gone from strictly male members to having women join the club, he says, adding that it is about 50/50 now.
Graves notes that membership attendance at a meeting is not as strictly enforced.
“Now, our priorities are family first, then jobs and then the Lions Club.”
Speaking on behalf of the Lions, Graves says the club is very appreciative of all the support the citizens of 100 Mile House and area have given over the years.
“Your support of our efforts has been unfailing through your donations to our fundraising efforts.”
“For this we extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks.”
For more information about the Lions Club or the anniversary dinner and dance, talk to any Lions member, or call Lions president Neil VanderHorst at 250-644-0906.
Tickets are $35 each and are available at Whimsey Gifts at 235 Birch Ave., or at LifeCycle Financial at 385 Cedar Ave.
