Lions share their work and thanks

Any social with the Benoni Lakes Lions Club is bound to make an impression.

February 12 was no exception when the club hosted a meet and greet at a local restaurant to expose outsiders to what the club does and open opportunities for networking with current members.

In the wonderfully informal setting of the Eláte Eatery in Rynfield in the late afternoon, proceedings kicked off with president Beaulieu Maré introducing the club and the work they do.

This was followed by a wine tasting presented by born-and-bred-in-Benoni-during-lockdown wines Val Di Terra.
Wayne England, director and managing partner, was assisted through a video presentation by renowned producer of fine wines in the Western Cape Ken Forrester.

Wayne explained that Val Di Terra was born during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown. Its roots lay in a combined passion for wine, which the three founding members share. “The Covid-19 lockdown has been and remains a brutal attack on the South African wine industry,” he said.

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“As a result, an opportunity was identified to serve consumers and producers of wine in South Africa in a new and unique way.

“We partnered with Ken to bring to market a label created in Benoni and produced by Ken on his estate exclusively for our business.”

The scrumptious tasting was just the ticket to spirited conversations and the sharing of ideas and was supplemented by a buffet of finger foods.

About Lions

Well supported by numerous local individuals and businesses – and many from afar – the Benoni Lake Lions Club was chartered in 2011 with 26 members.

Lions Clubs International is the largest service organisation in the world comprising over 1.4 million members in some 46 000 clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas.

Their motto is ‘We Serve’.

“Lions Clubs International began in 1917 because of the vision of one man,” said Beaulieu.

“In a time of much uncertainty in the world, Melvin Jones, an insurance broker from Chicago, saw an opportunity to assist others and convinced his business associates to do the same.

“At the first international convention in 1925, one of the guest speakers was a young woman who challenged the Lions to be Knights of the Blind in the crusade against darkness.

“That woman was Helen Keller and since then, Lions worldwide – including the Benoni Lakes club – have honoured the commitment made by the founding members and continue to undertake sight projects.”

Lions Clubs International reached South Africa in 1957 with the first South African club being charted in Cape Town.

In 1959, the Lions Club of Benoni was formed and is still active.

“Our club has served our community in numerous ways and touched thousands of lives over the past 10 years,” said Beaulieu.

To name a few projects undertaken:

• Donated blankets and wheelchairs

• Assisted at soup kitchens

• Run youth development programmes at school and taken potential leaders on day camps in Magaliesberg

• Assisted young girls to stay in school through their dignity project

• Given assistance to sustainable vegetable gardens with donations of compost and seeds

• Helped moms of newborns with clothing and nappies

Spectacles, recycling and cakes

On sight projects, the Benoni Lakes Lions Club bought a Spot Vision Screener (the first in South Africa) in 2016, which they use to conduct screenings at schools and businesses.

“We have given the gift of sight to hundreds of needy people by distributing spectacles,” Beaulieu said.

Their recycling efforts include collections of e-waste, plastic bottle tops, bread tags and printer cartridges.

“Through our recent association and collaboration with the Atlasville Organisation, we have held clean-ups on both sides of Homestead Dam and the two communities will continue to challenge and assist each other,” she added.

“Through our Paws in Need project, we have assisted an organisation called Paws Rehoming with food packed in plastic containers (which are used as water bowls afterwards). These are distributed to distressed animals in township areas. We are currently assisting the New Hope Rescue Centre.

“We are involved in Diabetes Awareness and have undertaken two screening days at no cost to the public and recently renovated a bathroom at Robmen House. The house is part of Manger Care Centre in Brentwood Park and currently shelters 15 people who are elderly and/or disabled.

“Our fund-raising efforts have included the sale of Christmas cakes, golf days, book sales (R13 000 was raised at our last sale), theatre evenings and raffles.

“We are continually looking for new and innovative ways of raising funds and always welcome support and ideas in this respect.”

To find out more about Benoni Lakes Lions Club and how you can become involved, contact Beaulieu on 082 971 5472 or beaulieu@eram.co.za

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