Lions reflect on service rendered during the pandemic

Kensington Lions Club undertook a number of projects to support members of the community during the pandemic.

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The club hopes to grow its membership base and highlight the importance of service organisations in communities.

The club was chartered on July 15, 2014, and was the fruition of a dream for Lionel Chazen and Evelyn Herzfeld, of the Edenvale Lions Club.

“Lions Clubs throughout the world exist to offer assistance and help wherever possible and whenever possible,” said media and communications chairperson for the Kensington Lions Debbie McLardy.

During the pandemic, the Kensington Lions Club undertook a number of projects.

“In the pre-level five lockdown stages, the Kensington Lions handed out anti-viral and anti-bacterial soap to those members of our community who were working outside, such as petrol attendants and car guards,” McLardy said.

As morale in the communities they served began to dwindle under level five of the lockdown, a member created a

WhatsApp group where community members were encouraged to share memes, problems and positive thoughts.

“This group was created to be a happy, virus-free place. This was at a time that everyone was scared and no one knew what this unknown enemy was and how to best protect ourselves,” McLardy said.

She added that from the interaction on the group, it quickly became apparent that the children were getting frustrated, as they were away from their friends, schools and everything that was “normal”.

“To alleviate some boredom and frustration, the Kensington Lions Club offered an online art competition.”

The theme for the competition was Kindness Matters and the art competition was broken down into age categories.

“Parents then WhatsApped their children’s pictures to the project coordinator who posted the first name and age together with the poster to the organisation’s Facebook page.

“The people who followed our Facebook page judged the pictures and those with the most reactions won the different categories. We received some lovely messages from parents thanking us for giving the children an opportunity to express themselves.”

Next up was a photography competition that was open to all ages.

“We received an amazing response and beautiful photographs through all five categories,” McLardy said.

As the pandemic wore on, the Lions realised the need for food rose.

“We distributed food parcels to the value of approximately R16 000. We went to five different supermarkets, chasing specials to enable us to make the food parcels go a little further. Once our funds were exhausted, we could not distribute any further food parcels,” McLardy said.

Adjusted lockdown levels made it difficult for the club to plan fund-raisers.

“Despite this, we organised a Doggy Walk-a-Thon and raised around R2 200 from just 10 entrants. The money was donated to the Animal Anti-Cruelty League.

“The Kempton Park SPCA gave the club an amazing donation of prizes for the furry friends and for their human owners. We received three prizes from local businesses,” McLardy said.

To raise funds and assist the community, the club undertook to host a monthly community market.

The money raised was shared between the club and the hosting bowls club.

“We also received a number of food donations that were passed on to the Gerald Fitzpatrick Home and Kencare Feeding Scheme.

“In December, we were able to help St Mary’s Children’s Home with toys received from the annual Toy Run.”
McLardy said every single cent raised by the Lions is ploughed straight back into the community.

“The club is excited to see what new opportunities and projects can be undertaken to enable us to once again live our motto, ‘we serve’, to the highest degree,” she said.

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