Hometown Strathroy September 2025

on Valentine's Day. They also coordinate a medical equipment lending program for anyone who needs items such as wheel- chairs, walkers, toilet seats, or crutches. The only requirement is for people to return the item when it's no longer needed. You will find Mount Brydges Lions at most community events, such as the Farmers Community Night and, more recently, the Rockin Wheel fundraiser. These “trailer events” help raise money by selling hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, onion rings, and poutine. Ron Madill, the club’s most senior youngster at 91, a dedicated Lion since 1959 and the source for the club’s history, adds “It's great to be a Lion!” Mount Brydges Lions meet at the Mount Brydges Community Centre on Lions Park Drive, Mount Brydges, on the first and third Monday of the month. Strathroy Lions Established in 1924, the Strathroy Lions currently have 45 mem - bers who work hard to support local needs wherever possible. Some of the ways they get involved include hosting bingo nights and food drives, working in the community garden and hosting their winter BBQ and Good Friday Brunch. One key fundraising project the club is involved with is selling 50/50 tickets to raise money for a $35,000 service dog from the Lions Foundation (dogguides.com). The Strathroy Lions also participate in local events, like the Hometown Festival, Canada Day celebrations, and, of course, their Tree of Lights ceremony and the Santa Claus Parade. “We are a passionate group dedicated to serving the community where we can,” says Lion Mariette Desjardine, who has been a Lion for 27 years. “We reinvest all the money we raise through our events into the community.” Strathroy Lions meet at the Lions Hall, 432 Albert Street, Strath - roy, on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, except July and August. For over a century, the Strathroy Lions Club has contributed to the betterment of Strathroy by building facilities and raising money for various community projects and charities. For example, their new Disc Golf Course on Albert Street recently had its grand opening. Everyone who is a Lion or Lioness volunteers their time and energy to make their community a better place to live. The quiet evidence of their hard work is everywhere you look, from the flowers hanging from streetlamps to financial support provided to many local and national charities to the delicious food served at the next community event. The danger facing the Lions, and all service clubs, is that as members get older, there may not be anyone to carry on the es- sential work these organizations do. Being part of such a mighty force may seem daunting. However, the message from all the clubs is the same: Do what you can. “As a member, you don’t have to come to every event or meet - ing,” explains Tom Aitken, President of the Melbourne Lions. “We know people are busy. We’re grateful for whatever time someone can give.” The Strathroy and Mount Brydges clubs echo that message.

One Act of Kindness at a Time “We are serving a world in need. One act of kindness at a time” is the tagline for Lions International, a community-focused orga- nization with 1.4 million members worldwide, serving in 49,000 clubs throughout 200 countries and regions, and donating over $1 billion to various charities and community projects. Three of those clubs quietly perform mighty acts of kindness in the corner of the world that is Strathroy-Caradoc. These clubs have existed for countless years, raising money, organiz- ing community events, and making their communities brighter, cleaner, and safer spaces in which to live. Melbourne Lions

The Melbourne Lions Club is a small but mighty force in Melbourne. The club started in 1980 with 30 mem- bers. Forty-five years later, with a current membership of 20 dedicat- ed volunteers, the club stays busy with key community events, such as their pancake supper on Shrove

Tuesday in February and a chicken BBQ dinner every spring. They also do a spring clean-up on the highway near Melbourne, and you will see members selling fresh-cut French fries at vari- ous community events like the Del-Ko-Brydge Canada Day cel- ebrations and the Melbourne Agricultural Society’s Fair Day. The money raised at these events helps support several local charities in the area, including the Women’s Rural Resource Centre (WRRC), 37 Frank Street, and Camp Dorset, among others. They also contribute to the Eyes Right and Knights of the Blind, two of Lions International’s flagship programs. The club’s focus has always been to make its community a little brighter. One Lion does this regularly with witty messages on a roadside sign that offer passers-by a daily giggle. Melbourne Lions meet at the Melbourne Agricultural Society’s hall, 21886 Melbourne Road, Melbourne, on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. The second meeting is always a dinner meeting hosted by the ladies of the Melbourne Agricul - tural Society. Mount Brydges Lions

Founded in 1948, the Mount Bry - dges Lions Club has spent the last 77 years striving to strengthen and improve their community by sup- porting local charities financially and by building spaces for indi- viduals, families, and children to gather and play. The Mount Brydges Lions were in - strumental in helping to finance and

To advertise here please contact Debbie@villagerpublications.com build many of the amenities within the community, including the arena, community center, splash pad, soccer fields, and Fletch - er baseball diamond. They’ve also upgraded the playground with equipment and created beautiful wheelchair accessible trails. Today, the Mount Brydges Lions has 35 dedicated members who have found unique ways to add to their contribution. For exam- ple, they pay for parking at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital

Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc September 2025

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