Rimbey Lions Club has had a busy year starting with our Heart and Stroke Fundraising drive during February, which was again very successful.
Next was the community pancake breakfast during March. Mother nature was not kind to anyone that day with a huge snowstorm causing many people to stay home.
A BBQ at Pas-Ka-Poo Park Pavilion and Museum grounds followed on June 3 combined with the Club’s 75-76 anniversary celebrations that had been put on hold because of COVID-19. Over 450 people attended and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to get out and visit with friends and neighbors and even cook their steak or hamburgers on our newly-constructed grills.
FCSS held a Party in the Park at Rimbey Lions Park #1 in July and Clubs and groups provided food and snacks with games and displays during the beautiful sunny day. Rimbey Lions supplied freezies and water, as well as giveaways for those that dropped by the display.
Judging of participants and floats at the Rimbey Rodeo Parade was also assisted by members of the Rimbey Lions Club.
The Rimbey Lions presentation of 30 overbed tables to the Rimbey Hospital was greatly appreciated by the hospital patients.
Rock ‘N Rimbey plans came together on the third weekend of August with many businesses jointly participating with the Car show at Pas-Ka-Poo Park and the Rimbey Ag Centre opening their doors for the Drive-in Theatre. In addition, Evergreen Co-op provided hamburgers and pop and grills for the Rimbey Lions to cook and sell to hungry shoppers. The Library and Town Office area was the location for the Ice Cream Social that was eagerly attended by shoppers. The Rimbey Lions spearheaded the weekend and were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the co-hosting businesses and other groups and the attendees in and around Rimbey.
During the last week of August the final installation of the lights on the Evergreen portion of the Rimbey Lions walking trail were installed. Thank you to the many workers, volunteers and The Town of Rimbey that participated in completing the trail.
Wolf Creek School Division initiated a new program of “Bus Rider of the Month” to which the Rimbey Lions have eagerly supported.
On Thanksgiving weekend the annual Rimbey Food Bank Drive to fill the shelves was held with the record donations of food and cash turned over to FCSS and the Food Bank.
Rimbey Lions Club handed out juice boxes and candy at the annual Halloween Party hosted by the Rimbey Library and Rimbey Legion.
The Second Annual Twilight Holiday Shop Night on the street held Dec. 1 was again a hit with free hotdogs and hot chocolate for all that attended. It was a very cold evening and servers and visitors bravely ignored the -30 temperatures enjoying Santa and Mrs. Claus, who visited up and down the streets.
In addition to the above, the Rimbey Lions Club provided cooking facilities to two barbeques at the Ag Centre as well as bar services at weddings and other functions.
The Rimbey Lions operates the Rimbey Nesting Place on a year-round basis with 42 RV lots available with tables and fire pits and firewood available for purchase.
The Rimbey Lions are extremely pleased to continue the Christmas morning caroling at the Hospital. This tradition was started in 1949 and to date the Lions only missed three mornings in that entire time.
Thank you to the businesses and citizens of the Town of Rimbey and District who the Rimbey Lions have served for 76 years as we look forward to 2023 and beyond to continue that association.
- Submitted by Ted Jamieson