Press Release
The former Rainy River/Baudette Border Lions Club- RRBB Lions has had its charter and name amended to more accurately reflect its mission and service area. The new club’s charter is named the West Rainy River District Lions Club.
“This is not a dispute with our neighbouring community Baudette, MN, but a reflection of where we serve, where our membership is, and the activities we support,” say Jack Elliott, past secretary of the Lions.
“And these cross border travel restrictions imposed by COVID-19, are just the last hurdle we had to face,” he added.
The Lions have just completed a very successful raffle of a Pontoon Boat in conjunction with the Rainy River Walleye Tournament. Under the lottery licence granted to the Lions by the AGC of Ontario tickets must be sold in Ontario and funds raised must be spent on charitable activities in Ontario. That means cross border fund raising would require completely separate operations. It is simply impractical to operate that way, says Elliott.
The RRBB Lions were originally sponsored by the Emo and District Lions and will now operate as the West Rainy River District Lions Club focusing their activities west of the Morley/Chapple Municipal Boundary. A Cycling Without Age Operation has been established serving Seniors in Rainy River, (currently curtailed by COVID-19). A Fast Response Disaster Relief Committee has been established to provide immediate aid to those suffering through emergencies like house fires. Support of youth activities, be it playground equipment or tournament supports are ongoing. An annual bursary for local students going on to higher education was recently approved by the WRRD Lions Board. Current cooperative support of various community health initiatives addressing vision and diabetes health continues.
“The WRRD Lions is actively investigating other areas it might support across the West Rainy River District and is inviting area residents interested in serving their community to offer their suggestions and join the WRRD Lions Club,” states Elliott.
The WRRD Lions Club regular monthly meeting is the second Tuesday of every month at 8:00 p.m. in the board room of the RR Evangelical Covenant Church in Rainy River. In the event of COVID-19 restrictions an online ZOOM Meeting will be held. Contact Secretary, Peggy Advent at WestRRDLions@gmail.com or phone 807-483-5433.
