The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Club members work on the reconstruction of the Memorial Park pavilion in 1998 Ther not afraid to put on the work clothes, steel- toed boots and helmets to help build facilities enjoyed by many residents, such as the pavilion in Memorial Without the Stoufl'ville Lions Club, which celebrates its 70th anniversary Feb. 16, “I really believe the commu- nity would not be the same,” Governor Dick Peel of Lions Club International District A16 of Markham, said. Many would be surprised at the number of events this club takes part in and the many causes it supports. Stouffville Lions programs help every age group, from kindergarten pupils get- ting their vision screened to seniors who react with joy when a Lion brings in a pot of spring flowers for them. HELP KIDS T0 SENIORS They organize the Christâ€" mas light bus tour for seniors, serve hot chocolate and goodies and hand out toys at the Mayor’s New Year’s Eve celebratiOn in Memorial Park. support the Stoufiville District Secondary School art show at Latcham Gallery each year and back Camp Kirk for children with leam- ing and other disabilities, to name just a few. And with members who aren’t afraid to grab a snow shovel so they can deliver Christmas baskets to resi- dents in need, it’s surely an integral part of its commu- nitY- BY HANNBLORB VOLPE Staff Writer It's the service club 'that come up with an idea like the Martian'labemacle Choir for a Stoufiville Santa Claus Parade float. Celebrating 70 years of serving Staufi‘ville LIONS CLUB MARKS SEVEN DECADES 0F GIVING BACK, SERVING DINNERS, HELPING IN THIRD WORLD One of them is John Mofâ€" fart, who joined the Lions more than 35 years ago. He was president in 1990-91. There's a recurring refrain when you ask a Lion why he or she joined the club. The answer is usually. ‘to give something back to the com- munity’. You’re probably already familiar with the Lions roast beef barbecue that’s part of Strawberry Festival and the Christmas tree sales, which constitute important fund- raisers. Most funds, however, for the Lions work comes through the sale of Nevada lottery tickets at Stouffville Country Market every weekâ€" end. Through their support of SightFimt 11, which was started in 1989, Lions have helped restore sight to 7.3 million people in developing countries, especially children, through cataract surgery. The program has prevented vision loss in around 20 mil- lion people and improved eye care services for hundreds of millions more. The local club supports the Mwanzaa Lions Club in Tanzania, which in turns helps the Stouffville lgoma Project. Park, the gazebo on Main Street and doing the plumb- ing and electn'cal work at the Stoufl'ville "Rain Station and operating the outdoor pool for many years Not every club, he said, is as involved in supporting overseas projects. As clubs go, the Stouflville Lions are one of the more active clubs, Mr. Peel added. He remembers taking part RES'I'ORE SIGHT in the Lions roast beef dinner when it was still a chicken dinner. A large pit was dug in Memorial Park and fired up until the coals were five or six inches deep and glowing hot. A giant spit with screens to hold about 40 half chickens was placed over the pit. The Lions entered floats in the Stouffville Santa Claus Parade for many years, and he and John Foulds (known as “Mr. Float") came up with themes ranging from the A couple of Lions gave them a half tum every so often and “four flips and they would be done," Mr. Moffatt said. Winter or summer, parades have always been big with the Stoufl'ville Lions, including its Farm Boys Band. The Lions are part of his life, he said. “I have enjoyed it all." ' Past president John Foulds prepares to ° carve at the club’s annual barbecue. Long-time members such as past president Joe Cote usually have a go at tack- ling almost every position in the club from running vari- ous committees to executive positions. Mr. Cote was also zone chairperson last year, “That is where you meet people from other clubs and get new ideas,” he said. The Stoufiville Lions have 39 members. Mr. Moffatt particularly enjoys the friends he's made over the year and continues to make as he travels to several conventions per year. Those who don't go to conventions are missing the biggest part of Lionism, he believes. infamous Martian Tabernacle Choir to a hillbilly band. But because the club is so well oxganized and planning starts way ahead of time, on the day of the dinner, “we just go where we are told,” he said. The Lions Club is ideal for people who want to become more confident public speakers, have aspirations of getting into government or want to get more involved in work that involves com- mittees. “It is a perfect training ground," Mr. Vthers said. “I can't imagine myself not being a Lion," he added. “It is part of my life.” When it comes to large club activities such as the roast beef dinner that serves hundreds in the summer, it looks daunting, Mr. Wmters Lion Torn Vlfinters, who has been with the club for 25 years, chose the Lions because he saw it as a well- run organization. He found it most gratifying when he was district governor in 1993 and was able to keep up that posi- tion as well as his local club activities. during which he oversaw numerous clubs. His job was, he said, to get members updated on what was happening in other clubs and get them to work together. Fhe Lions current presi- DAUNTING DINNER WSW-Tubune. Thursday, Ian. 31, 2008 The Stouflville Lions Club's 70th anniversary celebration takes place Feb. 16 in the Great Hall of Christ Church Anglican, 254 Sunset Blvd. It begins with a social from 6 to 7 pm, with dinner starting at 7 pm. fickets are $35 per person. For tickets, call 905642-3850. dent is Cliff Dunkeld, a former councillor and Whitchurch- Stouflville citizen of the year. Fast facts on the Stouflville Lions: v John Hodgins was the first club president.1he first club din- ner meeting was held Jan. 13, 1938, at the Mansion House, now home to Pizza Piaa, Mr. Sub and others. Annual dues were $4.50. > Past presidents include former Tribune publisher Charles Nolan (1947), car dealer Neil Patrick (1962), principal Lorne Boadway (1966) and Glen Peart (1994), father of Rush drummer Neil Peart. > Current president is Cliff Dunâ€" keld, a former town councillor and citizen of the year. > There are more than 1.3 mil- lion Lions in more than 43,000 clubs in 202 countries The orgaâ€" nization was founded in 1917. ALL ABOUT LIONS