At their first in-person meeting in nearly two years, an installation ceremony was held on June 14, 2022 at Lions Hall, 23 Mill St W, Kingsville, for incoming officers of the Kingsville Lions Club.
District Governor, Valerie Burningham, led the ceremony that installed Fred Cross as the club president for 2022-2023. Lion Fred has been an active member of the Kingsville Lions for the past 31 years.
Joan Cope was elected to serve as the club secretary. The club’s vice-president will be Michele Green.
According to incoming President Fred Cross, “I am looking forward to leading various projects and continuing the Kingsville Lion’s commitment to serving the community.”
Since chartering in 1933, its members have contributed to a variety of projects in the local community, such as:
– Leamington District Hospital (Erie Shores HealthCare)
– Gosfield Arena (Kingsville Arena)
– Migration Hall
– John R. Park Homestead
– an All-inclusive Playground at Lions Park in Kingsville
The Lions have also taken on various environmental projects including tree planting, recycling of eyeglasses and hearing aids. Shoe collection have been turning unwanted shoes into opportunity by keeping them from going to waste and putting them to good use.
Proceeds from past fundraising events have supported projects such as bursaries to Kingsville District High School students for the Gord McLean Math Award (for highest math student), the Mel Goyette Community Service Award (for a student that teachers feel is most deserving) and Erie Shores Hospice in Leamington, to name a few.
Star Chefs Gala: A Taste of Kingsville is their latest project to raise funds for Erie Shores Health Foundation “Care Happens Here” Campaign. The event takes place November 12, 2022.
For more information go to https://starchefsgala.wixsite.com/kingsville
Awards bestowed on members included the President and Helen Keller Fellowship awards. Friend-of-Lions, Joanne Gow, was also the recipient of a Helen Keller Fellowship Award recognizing Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens as an important partner of the club.
Long-time Lions Gunther Funkenhauser, Darlene Priestley and John Priestley were presented with chevrons recognizing their many years of service for 40, 45 and 50 years, respectively.
Kingsville Lions meet monthly, on the first Tuesday of each month from March to December at 7 p.m. at Lions Hall, 23 Mill Street West, Kingsville. Lions are a group of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill those needs.
For more information or to get involved with the Kingsville Lions, please contact Kingsville Lions at (519) 733-2573 or kingsvillelions@gmail.com
All photos provided by Lions Club of Kingsville