Duane Hicks
District 5M10 of Lions International officially has added Special Olympics to the causes it supports.
District Governor Mark Osthus made the announcement during the Voyageur Lions Club’s Governor’s Night held Friday at La Place Rendez-Vous.
“This is ‘The Year of the Child,’ and that’s why I am so concerned about instituting Special Olympics as one of our Lions’ causes,” noted Osthus.
While Helen Kellar declared the Lions in 1925 at the International convention to be “The Knights of the Blind,” and vision loss, hearing loss, and diabetes always will be a major of focus of Lions, “Special Olympics needs us also,” he said.
At the District 5M mid-winter convention, a team of Lions will be put together—spearheaded by a couple of people, including long-time local Special Olympics volunteer and Voyageur Lion Gaby Hanzuk—to focus on Special Olympics and how the Lions can help out.
“It’s going to add so much to our district,” said Osthus.
“There are people out there already who are kind of excited that we’re doing this,” he added.
While the Voyageur Lions has supported Special Olympics locally through events such as the “Polar Plunge” each Jan. 1, now the entire Lions District 5M-10 will be involved.
District 5M-10 covers Northwestern Ontario and northeastern Minnesota, servicing 45 clubs.
Osthus noted Lions clubs continue to be “the heartbeat of compassionate service” in many communities, and make them better places to live.
“When I hear that Emo gained about 15 members, that is exciting,” Osthus enthused.
“That town is going to be a prettier town, it’s going to be a better business community, have a better balance of life because Lions are there,” he remarked.
“If you don’t believe me, go to a town where there is no Lions Club and you’ll see it,” Osthus said.
“You’re a part of all of that and that’s something to celebrate.”
Osthus also saluted Voyageur Lions Bill Michl, who also is first vice district governor and next year will be governor.
“I’ll call him and ask him to do something I don’t have time to do, or maybe just want his input to be there . . .,” he said.
“I’m so delighted to be in his club.”
The evening was attended by the Voyageur Lions Club, as well as several members of the Fort Frances Lions Club, the Emo and District Lions Club, and the International Falls Lions Club.
Osthus handed out service pins to Bonnie Penney, president of the Fort Frances Lions Club (“Ask One” membership growth award), Fort Frances Lion Lori Elliott (15-year chevron), Falls Lions Club president John Mickelson (10 years), and International Falls Lions Elizabeth Villalta (15 years), Richard Briese (20 years), and Ricky Roche (20 years).
Louis Cousineau, who recently passed away, was recognized as a 50-year member of the Fort Frances Lions Club.
Osthus also gave out district governor’s pins to all attending officers.
Michl, meanwhile, presented appreciation awards to Voyageur Lions Jeannine Gagnon, Joyce Zub, Carol Ewacha, and Voyageur Lion-of-the-Year, Shelly Haney.
Michl said Haney is there for all of the club’s fundraising, she’s first in line when they have a service, and when they need something to be done, she says, “I’ll do it.”
“She is always there,” he noted. “Even though she doesn’t jump in the ‘Polar Plunge,’ she collects money for the ones that do.
“And she puts forth 110 percent effort every project, every meeting,” Michl added.
Past Lions International Director Bud Danylchuk, of the Fort Frances Lions Club, introduced Osthus.
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization, with 1.35 million members in more than 46,000 clubs in 206 countries and geographical areas around the world.
