The Rockwood and District Lions Club handed out certificates of appreciation when it hosted a dinner on Feb. 19 at the Rockmosa Community Centre.
President Scott Jamieson said the awards recognize those who assist the club with fundraising efforts in the community.
Those honoured at the dinner included Guelph-Eramosa Township, Metro Bakery, Heaven on 7, Jim’s Repair Shop, Jeff Hall, and the Friends of Dr. Cairo Walking and Appreciation Society, which weekly takes walks in the community to clean areas and has donated some $8,800 to the club.
Several media outlets were also recognized, including the Wellington Advertiser, for their continued advertising and reporting on club events. The club also honoured members of the Lioness Club for their work.
The Rockwood club was chartered by the International Association of Lions Clubs in March of 1972, with 52 charter members whose goal it was to serve the community and to make it a better place to live.
In April of 2012 the club celebrated 40 years of volunteer service to the community, and of the 23 members of the club at that time, four were charter members.
The club was instrumental in getting the “ball rolling” for what would become Rockmosa. In fact, a large number of Lions put their names to a bank loan guaranteeing it would be paid off no matter what, Jamieson said.
In 1985 the club embarked on a campaign for Rockwood Waterside Park. It was purchased from raised money, a large pavilion was built and the park is open to the public at no charge. Two years ago the club had the parking lot paved and annually pays out about $2,500, raised through fundraising, for hydro, taxes and lawn care.
The club also supports several organizations, including Canadian Diabetes Association and the 4-H youth exchange.
“Since its inception the Lions Club has donated between $750,000 to $1 million to the community,” Jamieson said in an email to the Advertiser. “This does not take into account our volunteer work doing roadside clean-up twice per year, nor our work on the Rockwood Habitat (for Humanity) builds of 2001 and 2005-06.”
According to Jamieson money raised goes towards community projects, designated when donations are made.
For more information on the club contact Jamieson at 519-856-9468 or Darryl Nichol at 519-856-4566.
