222 Draw
The Lions print up 222 tickets which sell for $20 each. Each Lion is expected to take a book of tickets and try to sell them (or gift them to friends/family etc).
Each year , a new benefactor of the 222 draw is selected. This benefactor is publicized as the recipient of the funds raised in the 222 draw. They receive $2220 while ticket purchasers and the Lions receive the balance.
The draw takes place at the Salmon BBQ on the Labor Day Sunday. How it works is that all of the ticket buyers have their names written on to a huge prize board. Starting at noon on the Salmon BBQ, a Lion draws 5 tickets out of a drum. First ticket out receives a nominal prize (cash) but the rest get honorable mention. As tickets are drawn out of drum, names are crossed off the huge board. This continues until there are only three (3) tickets left in the drum. Some other prizes are awarded – (for example, ticket 50 gets some money, so does ticket 100 and 150 etc).
Once we are down to three tickets, the next one drawn gets $200, leaving only two tickets in the drum. If these persons are still on the Dinner Bay grounds, they might be asked if they wish to share the last two cash prizes - $200 and $800 - each would get $500. If they choose to let Lady Luck determine the winner, the next ticket drawn gets the $200 prize and the last ticket drawn gets the $800 prize.
Charter Night
Usually held in November, Charter Night is a celebration of our Lions Charter that was granted 40+ years ago. It is a formal affair, with entertainment and a scrumptious meal. There is a cash bar. Charter Night is usually held at the school gym – capacity approx. 110.
Charter Night also has the presentation of the Mayne Islander of the year. Often, the recipient is not aware that they are the recipient so surprises are possible. 2020 will be the 50th anniversary of the Club's founding and a plan is underway for a "really big show" (if you were an Ed Sullivan fan).
Single Seniors Night
Single Seniors night is just that – a night when the single seniors of Mayne Island are invited to a turkey dinner in preparation for Christmas. It is held in mid December at the Ag Hall. The meal is catered and wine is served with the meal. There is no cost to the Single Seniors and the Lions in attendance pay $20 for the meal.
The seniors are often asked if they would like to be picked up and driven to / from the event. Many do not like to drive at night.
There is usually some form of entertainment and of course, Mr. and Mrs. Claus pay a visit and give the seniors a small gift that they love to receive.
Church Fair
The Church Fair, usually held the second Saturday of July, is run by St. Mary's church and its members. It is held on the church grounds. The Lions are involved as we provide the tents, tables and chairs for the event as well as help with setup and tear down.
The Lions are also involved in the cooking of the hot dogs and hamburgers at this event.
Fall Fair
The Fall Fair is usually held the third Saturday of August at the Ag Hall Fairgrounds. It is organized by the Agricultural Society but the Lions are involved with a Bingo, the setup and tear-down of tables, chairs and tents as well as the cooking of hot dogs and hamburgers.
Fall BBQ (Previously known as the Salmon BBQ)
The Fall BBQ is held on the Sunday of the Labor Day Weekend. The Lions serve a delicious locally prepared meal which includes a vegetarian option. In the past salmon and chicken were on the menu, but due to cost and sustainability concerns, we are expanding the manu. This year (2021) we are serving pulled pork and a lentil-based vegetarian option. The meal costs $20 and involves most of the Lions members in one capacity or another. We set up all of the tents, tables and chairs on the Saturday and take-down at 5:00 on the Sunday. It is usually the new President and his partner who are the coordinators of the event but they get a great deal of help from outgoing president as well as others who have been involved over the years. We follow COVID-safe practices.
If you have arrived late in previous years to find us sold out this is your chance to get a meal guarantee by getting your meal ticket early. We will try our best to accommodate late comers but no guarantees.
Bike Rodeo
This is a Lions coordinated event held at the school with all of the school children. Focus is on bike safety and skills. Usually one or two Lions head this up with help from a handful of others. Activity usually held in the spring during the week. Often great prizes awarded.
Canada Day
This activity is held on July 1 at Miners Bay Park. It is headed by the Royal Canadian Legion but the Lions members help with the cooking of hamburgers and hot dogs.
Terry Fox Run
This activity is headed up by Kathy Warning and Colleen Proctor of the Terry Fox group. It is held on the third Sunday of September and the run starts at Miners Bay Park. The Lions help out by setting up a few tents and cooking hot dogs and hamburgers.
Mayne Islander of the Year
This committee solicits nominations from the community for the recognition as Mayne Islander of the Year. The candidates are nominated by community persons who feel that the nominee has contributed a great deal to the community as a whole – volunteering and helping the community grow. A selection committee goes through the applications and decides on the best candidate. We try to keep the selection a secret so that the award can be made at Charter Night in November. The recipient receives a plaque and has his/her /their names on another plaque at the Adachi Pavilion in Dinner Bay Park.
Scholarships
Mayne Island Lions award scholarships to grade twelve students who are planning on attending a post secondary institution upon graduation. Candidate applications accompanied by letters of recommendation from teachers and school administrators.are accepted in the spring each year.
A committee selects the best candidate, who is then invited to meet with the Executive for final acceptance. The award is for a $1000 scholarship.
Santa Ship
The Lions club out of Bellingham, Washington, brings a ship full of pirates and Christmas elves to the Gulf Islands, usually in early December. On this ship, Mr. and Mrs. Claus are escorted from Miners Bay Dock to the Ag Hall where kids receive gifts and candy. The Claus clan are “pulled” up the hill from Miners Bay on a fire truck which is pulled by Mayne Island Lions adorned with reindeer antlers.
Steak Night (aka Appreciation Night)
Appreciation Night is a celebration of summer as well as the opportunity to show our appreciation for the previous year's efforts from lions and friends of lions. It is held at the Adachi Pavilion and invitations are sent out to the Saturna Lions Club to join in. There is liquor served as well as a meal. Cost is usually $30 and couples (Lions) are encouraged to get their tickets early because if there are still spots available it is offered to the public to join in.
This event is held at Dinner Bay Park in May and is a steak dinner prepared by Lions members for Lions members as well as a few non Lions (guests) who have helped out throughout the year with different activities. Cost is usually $25 except for helper guests.
Bingo
The Lions put on a number of Bingos throughout the year – many held at the Ag Hall. Some of the Bingos are held off site – one is at Dinner Bay park during the Salmon BBQ, one is at the Fall Fair and is held under a tent on Dixon Road. Usually one Lion looks after organizing the event and others help out with ticket /card selling.
Japanese Garden
A committed group of volunteers, many of them Lions, help every Tuesday morning with the grooming of the gardens. They also help in December with the setting up of the lights and manning the cookie/cocoa station during the lite show.
Glasses collection
One of the worldwide activities that the Lions are involved in is the collection of eyeglasses which are no longer needed by people in the first world but desperately needed in developing countries. We have collection bins throughout the island and the glasses are collected regularly and sent to a distribution center.
Telephone Book
A group of Lions are responsible for the putting together of the Mayne Island telephone book. They solicit advertisers and coordinate the logistics of getting the telephone book put together and distributed to the community. The telephone book is the Mayne Island Lions Club's biggest single source of fund raising. To update your listing in the next phone book, fill out the form.
Rentals
The Mayne Island Lions rent out a variety of celebration needs – tents, gazebos, tables, chairs, tablecloths, dinnerware etc. These rentals are mostly for weddings and on island parties but are also available for many of the societies on the island that use them, cost free, for their activities. This is a very good money making venture for the club. Lions are always needed to help with the setting up and taking down of the tents and table, chairs. A great way to get involved in the club.
Dinner Bay
A number of Lions are involved in the upkeep and maintenance of Dinner Bay in partnership with Parks. The Adachi Pavilion was a Lions project and our equipment shed is on site so this becomes a natural fit. We are also called upon to clean up the park before the annual Easter egg hunt. The putting green is always in need of a bit of maintenance and we look to willing lions to help out.
Baseball Season cooking hot dogs and hamburgers
On alternate Wednesdays in the summer our Mayne Island ball team hosts the team from Saturna. The Lions are available to provide refreshments.
