The Lions Club of Cobourg marked 75 years of community service on Sunday with an open house celebration at the Lions Centre on Elgin Street.
A ceremony at 12:30 p.m. included remarks from local dignitaries, including Cobourg councillor Brian Darling. Representatives from community organizations supported by the Lions-such as Northumberland United Way, Food 4 All food bank, and Habitat for Humanity Northumberland-shared messages of thanks.
CEO Cathy Borrowec tells us the Lions have provided both monetary and hands-on support.
“The Lions have always been there for us, from programs like Backpacks for Kids to our Day of Caring,” said United Way’s executive director Alicia Vandine. “When the community needs them, they show up.”
Since its charter in 1950, the Lions Club of Cobourg has remained committed to the international Lions motto, “We Serve.”
Past International director Terry Graham was on hand as well to present awards to 3 Cobourg members for their outstanding service including Lion Al Grundy who headed the committee for the anniversary and coordinated the display in the Lion’s den. The tribute to 75 years of service featured photo albums and news clippings from the past that payed silent homage to the work done over seven and a half decades by the dedicated members of the Cobourg Lions Club.
Grundy tells us more about the club and its work supporting the community.
Over the years, the group has donated to the Northumberland Hills Hospital chemotherapy unit, offered scholarships and bursaries, supported youth sports, and helped local families in crisis.
The Lions Centre, which opened in 1977, has become a well-used gathering place in the community. The Club is also an organizing sponsor of the annual Santa Claus parade and was the first in the region to have one of its members, William H. Maguire, elected to an international office in 1977.
Club president Mike Olsen says he’s proud they’ve been able to continue the work started 75 years ago and had this to say when asked what the future might bring for the Lions .
Lions Clubs International, founded in 1917, is now the world’s largest service organization, with more than 1.4 million members in over 200 countries.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)