Projects undertaken by Mackay North Lions Club
Community Service, Environment, Fundraising, Health and Youth
The Mackay North Lions Club is a service oriented organisation which works in five areas, community service, environment, fundraising, health and youth.
Health
Polly's Walk for Breast Cancer
The Mackay North Lions Club was closely associated with Polly Letofsky during her world-wide walk to raise money to fight breast cancer. Members from the club met Polly south of Mackay, at Clairview and accompanied her during her walk for several hundred miles. Polly, who had been helped along the way by various Lions clubs, became a member of Mackay North Lions Club and only recently transferred her membership to a club in the United States.
Over a five year period, Polly raised quarter of a million dollars for cancer while she walked 14,124 miles through 22 countries. A journal was maintained about her travels. A DVD was made about her travels and copies can be obtained here.
Other Health Promotions
In the area of health the club is also involved with the promotion of diabetes awareness and with the Vision Rehabilitation Clinic. Through the involvement of Mackay optometrists, the club has been involved with glaucoma screening where every year members assist with glaucoma screening at a local shopping centre. More than 100 people are tested every year and usually at least five very high risk individuals are identified. Saving even one person's sight makes this project worthwhile.
Annual glaucoma testing at a Mackay shopping centre
Community Service
Our club members participate enthusiastically in community projects including Meals on Wheels and door knocks for such organisations as the Queensland Cancer Fund. We have also provided afternoon teas for senior citizens which have included local entertainers.
Fundraising for the Queensland Cancer Fund
Mackay North Lions Club members have actively manned one of the Driver Reviver stops for several years. Some of our members thoroughly enjoy this project because they meet such interesting people. The Driver Reviver program, which is held every school holiday, is an invaluable service for the community and an integral part of saving lives on the highways.
Environment
Our club has participated in several environmental projects including Clean up Australia and Tree Planting - Planet Ark.
A major project for the club is the collection of aluminum cans from the public every Saturday morning at a local shopping centre and also at larger outdoor functions. The project also involves collecting cans from schools. These cans are sold to recyclers. This project is great for the environment and also assists our club with fundraising.
The new can collection trailer
Fundraising
Regular fundraising projects are held by club members including Lions Mints and Lions Christmas Cakes. We also hold numerous sausage sizzles and car washes at a variety of venues throughout each year.
Craft fairs have been very successful. Members of our club man a snocone stall from which are sold snocones, popcorn and drinks at school fairs, and at community and sporting events.
Sno cones for sale
Youth
The Mackay North Lions Club has participated in the national youth of the year project since 1981and each year usually has several entrants from local high schools.
The club endeavors to involve local primary schools in the Peace Poster Project. Unfortunately many teachers are unable to commit the amount of time required.
Lions operates and owns Camp Kanga which is sited at Lake Proserpine, north of Mackay. This campsite is used extensively for school camps and in addition the site provides camping facilities for tourists particularly those who are interested in fishing at Lake Prosepine. Each year Camp Kanga is used by approximately 50 young people from around the world who visit Lions in Mackay and Proserpine every July and August. The Mackay North Lions Club has adopted one of the cabins at the campsite and provides the maintenance.
Our club arranges entrants in the Miss Popularity quest each year and has had several winners. We believe this is an excellent project, however it requires not only a very committed entrant, but also a great deal of time and manpower from the club. As a result Mackay North Lions Club will probably take part in future every second year.
Members from our club have hosted youth from overseas, including England, Poland, Turkey and Hungary for several years. They have all been delightful and enthusiastic young people who have been outstanding ambassadors for their countries.
Judges and entrants in the Youth of the Year event
Updated 22 February 2009 - Designed by CDK Group
