Parys is getting a branch Lions Club within the next 2 weeks, and had the  honour of hosting the District 410B mid-year conference at Stonehenge the past weekend. Among the guests was their District Governor, Bernd Gerhard.
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organisation. Their motto  is simply, “We Serve”.  This year, the club is proudly celebrating 100 years of service. Lions are everywhere with around 1.4 million members around the world.
A lot was said and demonstrated about the various Lions’ projects last weekend. Rusty Hustler, the guest speaker,  addressed the conference on one of the organisation’s biggest projects, “Rhino for Africa”, showing shocking footage about rhino poaching. Guests were also introduced to the “Painting for a Purpose” project, through which the Lions Club will be raising both funds and awareness for cancer. To introduce the initiative, Bernie Brandt and his wife, Leone, joined the conference, along with other artists and Lions clubs. Bernie has had a lung removed due to cancer and was the inspiration behind this project, which will culminate in the multiple district convention in Cape Town next year.
Artists are invited to donate a painting, photograph or picture to help the Lions to help others, making every picture tell a story!
This year’s Centennial Challenge includes the 4 Pillars – Youth, Vision, Hunger and Environment. As part of the centennial celebra-tions, the Lions have been challenged to adopt projects that leave a legacy.
There are numerous other projects under the Lions banner.
* Lions give hope to the youth through their Comfort Kits for Kids and education programmes as well as the Leo clubs for the   younger members of the organisation.
* Lions give sight through Operation Brightsight, their eye clinics, providing cataract operations and sponsoring guide dogs for the blind.
* The Recycle for Sight project involves  collecting spectacle frames for needy individuals with visual impairment.
* Lions provide hunger relief through their food gardens and vegetable patches,     eco-circles and food parcels distributed to needy families.
* The Lions’ plant trees as part of a project to establish parks and playgrounds.
People interested in becoming members of the Lions Club of  Parys are welcome to contact Louis on 082 372 6988.
Anyone from 18 years of age can become a member. Lions is about serving in your community when you can what you can to make a difference for someone else.