WHO ARE LIONS:
The Lions Club of Gold Canyon is a member of the International Association of Lions Clubs, a service club dedicated primarily to helping those in our community who are living with sight and hearing challenges. They assist other needy individuals and families as well. Chartered in May 1999, with a founding membership of 22, they have now grown to 80 members and their growth continues. They became a 501-C3 Corporation in 2006. Their club meets at noon for lunch at the MountainBrook Activity Center (Superstition Room) on Mountainbrook Road in Gold Canyon the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, October through April.
WHAT LIONS DO:
During the past year, they have made the following contributions to these worthy endeavors of Lionism:
- $7,500 to Lions Camp Tatiyee
Lions Camp Tatiyee is a facility funded by the Lions of Arizona that provides a camping experience for up to 500 handicapped children and young adults each year. The camp is located in the White Mountains between Show Low and Lakeside, Arizona.
- $2,000 to Leader Dogs for the Blind
Leader Dogs for the Blind is a Lions affiliated organization that provides guide dogs to any person who is legally blind without cost. The dogs are raised and trained in a facility in Rochester, Michigan.
- $300 to Project Help
Project Help is an agency within the Apache Junction School District, which provides financial and other assistance to needy students of the district and to their parents.
- $350 to the Gold Canyon Food Bank
The Food Bank collects and distributes food to indigent and needy within the community. They also regularly collect contributions of food from our members and others for delivery to the Food Bank.
- $300 to the Flying Samaritans for medical supplies in a remote village in Mexico
They assist a group of medical doctors and staff that have been assisting the people in a remote area of Mexico where medical services and medicines are unavailable.
- $1,500 for Local Eye Care
Funds were provided for local families that were in immediate need of eye exams, treatment and eyeglasses.
- $1,000 to L.C.I.F.
LCIF is an International Lions Foundation that aids worldwide communities after disasters and during health-related crises. Arizona has benefited from the L.C.I.F. after recent fire disasters in our mountain communities.
- $3,000 to our Scholarship Fund
A Scholarship Fund has been established for three Apache Junction H.S. students to assist with the rising costs of college tuition.
- $1,000 to the Arizona Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation
One of their activities is the support of their Lions facility in Phoenix to gather, refurbish and distribute used eyeglasses, and provide eye care to those in need
- $500 to the Lions Sight II Program
The above funds were contributed to Lions International to fight the causes and effects of worldwide blindness.
- $500 to CAFFA
This organization provides temporary housing and care to battered women and their families in Arizona.
- $200 to the Gold Canyon Methodist Church Pastor’s Welfare Fund
This fund is to assist local community members that have critical short term needs.
OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED:
· Vision screenings are held at both local elementary schools to help identify students with vision problems.
· Student ID Program assists the two Gold Canyon elementary schools in finger printing their students. The ID cards are then returned to their parents for safekeeping.
· Used eyeglasses are collected throughout the year at several collection points. These glasses are classified according to prescription, refurbished, and made available to needy persons in Arizona and in third world countries.
· Flag Day ceremonies are held annually for first graders in local elementary schools.
· Lions are on call to help with any worthwhile need in their community.
HOW DO LIONS DO THESE THINGS
Lions have a vibrant and dedicated membership who donate their time and energy toward the success of these projects and fund raisers. Some of the Gold Canyon Lions community fund raising endeavors that you may have noticed or participated in include:
* Community Garage Sale on Kings Ranch Road
* Pancake Breakfast at MountainBrook Village
* Casino Night at MountainBrook Village
* White Cane Days
For those who have supported, contributed, and helped the Lions, they thank you. For those who would like to be a part of this exciting service organization, the Lions invite you to join them.
If interested, please call Andy Bergstedt at 480-982-5986 or Royce Brownfield at 480-671-0962 for membership application forms.
