The Blindman Valley Lions Club, which was chartered last August, is looking at different ways to do fundraising for future community projects.
That includes the current initiative that is getting underway soon.
“What started out as a birdhouse challenge among our members turned into an online Facebook silent auction,” noted a release. “Gathering items from supportive individuals in our area and our local businesses, which have been incredibly generous, this auction is sure to have something unique and valuable to all.
“We are especially proud of the creativity of the birdhouses built and donated by members.”
Folks are encouraged to check it all out on Facebook at ‘Blindman Valley Lions Club - Fundraiser Auction’
Dates for bidding start Feb. 1st and run through to Feb. 17th.
“We’ve got to really think outside the box,” said Pat Ryan, the Club’s president, in reference to the planning and implementation of events such as Club fundraisers amidst the ongoing pandemic.
“We wanted to figure out a way that (members) could do things at home and still do something new and raise funds,” he said.
So out went the challenge to create birdhouses - and the response was outstanding.
“Times are tough for everyone right now, and we are just trying to figure out ways by which we can still help our community,” he said. “We’ve even had some people who aren’t members add some (bird) houses to the auction, too.”
As for some future projects they’d like to support down the road, they include helping with a call service through local FCSS offices.
“We are going to do a service coming up here pretty soon dealing with the FCSS out of Bentley,” he said, adding that the FCSS staff will provide names of local seniors for Club members to call and see how they are doing.
“We are basically ‘locked in’ these days to an extent, so it’s just about having a conversation,” he said.
It’s also a good opportunity to gauge others’ needs in the community and perhaps refer folks back to the FCSS for specific services.
“We’ve also approached the FCSS in Rimbey about it, too. So that’s one of the things coming. We also have a Valentine’s project where we will be writing cards to all of the seniors in the local homes, too. That will be coming up in February. So we are looking for things that we can do where we can still keep our distance and stay within the AHS rules, but still help out our communities,” he said, adding that the Club covers most of the Blindman Valley.
“People take a lot of joy in our group when they see the things that we do. I think that most people do want to give back to their communities,” he said. “This is a way to do that - and it’s why we got involved, because we wanted to give back.
“So it’s just getting the word out there. We also get all kinds of awesome feedback about the different projects that we have done so far.
Lions Clubs serve their local communities in a number of ways.
According to the Lions Clubs of Canada web site, “When caring people join together, roll up their sleeves and take action to make their community better, it’s a beautiful thing—and an incredible feeling for everyone involved.
“Being a Lion is about leading by example, building relationships and improving the world through kindness. It’s 1.4 million caring men and women serving together so they can make a lasting impact and change more lives.”