Dave Ogilvie
On Feb. 3-5, members of the Fort Frances Lions, Voyageurs Lions, and Emo and District Lions attended the annual mid-winter convention, which took place this year at the Sawmill Inn in Grand Rapids, Mn.
Thirty clubs attended from the 5M10 district, which includes Northwestern Ontario and northern Minnesota, with an additional 10 clubs visiting from other districts.
In all, 192 participants/workers were on hand for the weekend’s festivities.
After registration, the convention opened Friday evening with a social, where members from the various clubs were encouraged to meet up with old friends and introduce themselves to new ones.
Unfortunately, the evening’s entertainment did not show up so club presidents and representatives were asked to share some of their local projects with everyone in attendance.
The activities and fundraising efforts of the various clubs were extremely amazing, and set the tone for the weekend by highlighting how Lions across the region are serving others in their home towns.
On Saturday morning following breakfast, the local Lions attended presentations from representatives of some of the charities supported by the clubs from 5M10.
The workshops included CEO Jackie Malling from the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank, who spoke about cornea harvesting and transplants, and how so many people have been given a chance at new sight thanks to donors from Minnesota and surrounding states.
A Canadian Lions committee will be investigating the possibility of harvesting corneas in Northwestern Ontario for use at the Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario Eye Bank in Winnipeg.
Also on hand was past District Governor Dale Johansen, who works for a group called “Project New Hope.”
Lions in Minnesota saw a need to help veterans and their families suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, so they worked with Minnesota’s Veteran’s Affairs Department to establish the group.
Through this Lions-funded project, veterans and their families attend retreats free-of-charge and receive time and counselling to reconnect and grow together.
Johansen noted Canadians from Northwestern Ontario and Manitoba also are welcome to make use of their program.
“Thank you for your support,” said Johansen. “Because of your generous donations, vets and their families are getting the help they need to recover from the horrors they experienced.”
Second Vice-District Governor elect Larry Winner, meanwhile, brought Lions up to date on the advances in diabetes research.
Founded in 2004, “Spring Point Project,” being run at the University of Minnesota, was born out of a grassroots effort to help make porcine islet transplantation a viable solution for diabetes patients.
The organization now is producing a sufficient supply of medical grade pigs to serve as islet donors for diabetic patients ultimately leading to a cure for diabetes.
The Schulze Diabetes Institute at the University of Minnesota is preparing for further pre-clinical research and clinical trials.
“The patients who have received a transplant are no longer dependent on insulin and are now able to live a much more normal life,” Winner enthused.
On Saturday evening at the Governor’s Banquet, International Director Dave Hajny told Lions to remember that their mission is to empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace, and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.
“Our purpose is to serve others,” he stressed. “When you are asking others to join your club, remind them how rewarding it is to help others in need.”
Then on Sunday before leaving the convention, the Lions Clubs from district 5M10 took part in a tradition called the “Parade of Green.”
Lions from across the district donate various amounts of money towards the charities supported by 5M10. Together, the clubs at this year’s mid-winter convention raised nearly $70,000 for many worthy causes.
Some of the charities chosen this year included the Lions Eye Bank of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario, the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Lions Medical Assistance Program of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario (Lions Foundation), the Lions Foundation of Canada (Dog Guides), and the Regional Vision Care Centre in Thunder Bay.
Those who attended this year’s 5M10 mid-winter convention made many new friends, were reminded of the good work being carried out by Lions Clubs in the district, and were encouraged to continue to make their community a better place to live.
If anyone in Rainy River District would like to join, call Dave (482-2540), Jim (274-7829), or Jeannie (274-4358).
