From the Lions Den April, 2020
Ah yes, the Ides of March! March has brought us some beautiful weather, lots to be thankful for, and yet lots of daily news about our COVID-19 pandemic. With BC mandating social distancing for all, and quarantining of those returning from outside Canada, our Lions Club, like every other group on the island, has limited business to 6 foot conversations, telephone calls and emails. Our MIHCA has published a number of advisories to keep us all healthy and informed.
https://mayneislandhealth.ca/site/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Coronavirus-Update-March-22-2020.pdf is the latest of these so everyone of us should take a careful read. As a result, we have cancelled the Appetizer Cook-Off with the Early Childhood group, once again postponed our CPR demo for members and family, and we’re not certain if our annual trek over to the Island to the south for the Saturna Charter Night dinner is a go. Most likely our April General Meeting will not be happening either. We may have to rely on telephone and internet communication during this trying time. For those of us not familiar with internet conferencing there is a product called "ZOOM" that is getting a lot of attention. It may be time for our club to embrace this communications channel if the virus takes some time to run its course. On the upside of things, we did have our Diabetes Clinic and those who attended learned how susceptible they are to the disease. Personally, losing a few pounds and years, and not being a male anymore would really help my chances of avoiding a diabetes diagnosis. Thanks, Lion Janet Guy, for doing the organizing, and Lion Bob Soper for helping with the paperwork, and the Health Centre for providing the space. It was good to see Dr. Losier and Dr. Rowand checking in to see that preventative health measures were in place and that members of the community were taking an interest in getting more information about diabetes. It seems like the Australian fires are ancient history now, but of course the devastation remains. Our hot dog / hamburger sales, working alongside the local Firefighters, and with the kind donation of food items from True Value, raised $1,393 destined to be sent to down under to help out. Since November 2019, the Lions International funding has awarded US $343,000 in grant funds to support communities in Australia who were devastated by bush-fires. This LCIF funding purchased water tanks and provided immediate assistance to those affected. We will be waiting to hear from Gulf Island Secondary School regarding a recipient for the annual scholarship provided for a Mayne Island graduating student as advertised in the March Mayneliner. The school closures will have no effect on this. We have a new slate of officers for our 2020 - 2021 term elected. Here they are: President: Brian Dearden Past President: Allen Slade Vice President: Brad Hanning Honorary Vice President: Alan Guy Secretary: David Chase Treasurer: Bob Soper Book keeper: Jerry Anne Haggart Meeting Organizer/ Energizer: Blair Haggart Rentals: Henry Till Equipment/Shed Master Bill Warning Web Master John Glover Directors at Large Mike Bullis Jean-Daniel Cusin Janet Guy A special vote of thanks went to Mike Bullis who has held many offices for our club, and specifically, for his many, many years as our club treasurer. Well done Mike! Stay well, everyone, for your sake and for the community. The Lions will be thinking about additional ways to support the community during this troubling time. Stay tuned. Fred Mussett; http://www.mayneislandlions.org |
Our Monthly Contribution to the District 19-I Newsletter - APRIL 2020 - http://lions19i.ca/newsletters/