Cops, bikes, and well-wishers gathered at the Oliver Fire Department once again to show support and appreciation for the RCMP who were embarking on an annual bike trek from Kelowna across the South Eastern corner of BC.

The riders involved, all employees of the RCMP, commit to the journey in hopes of raising funds for local children needing essential medical equipment, specialized therapies, and medical travel. 

The community barbecue and cheque presentation is annually organized by our Oliver Lioness club, who may be small in numbers, but big in the impact they make on our community.

In just the past five years alone, the Lions/Lioness have donated over $70,000 and contributed over 14,000 volunteer hours to the betterment of Oliver and various causes.

Operating now for 35 years in Oliver, Linda Schaffrick, secretary/treasurer of the Lion’s Club stated, “Lions and Lioness serve the community in many ways. Together we run the concession at the arena on weekends for hockey games and tournaments. We also pay for free public skating every Saturday and Sunday, unless there is a tournament.”

She went further, explaining, “We have a walk for dog guides to raise money for the dogs – six different types – sight, hearing, special needs, autism, diabetes and seizure. We collect used eye glasses for Third World countries, collect used hearing aids, assist with requests (ie medical) if we are able. In addition, we support Lions Easter Seal House and Camp Winfield, a camp for children with challenges of which 12 kids from Oliver attended this summer.”
And her list wasn’t finished, although already impressive and extensive for such a small but passionate group.

Linda stated that they built the Lions Park 30 years ago next year and that the Lions annually do sandbags in the winter as a fundraiser.

The Lioness manage the muffin program and also deliver the Farm to School lunch program to Oliver Elementary School. She continued by stating they help at the firemen’s banquet and seminar, do registrations for the mammography van when it is in town, do picture books for Sunnybank, and holiday tray favours for the hospital, McKinney and Sunnybank.

Not surprisingly then she exclaimed that for the 2013-2014 calendar year, this totalled 2,590 service hours for the two groups with a total of 18 members and they are always looking for more.

When asked what are some of the challenges that face the group, the answer came quickly. “Not having a permanent residence for Lions and Lioness,” she said bluntly. 

“Members have boxes of scrapbooks, banners, awards etc., stowed at their homes. It is sometimes hard to find a place available to host a zone (approximately 20 people) or a cabinet meeting (approximately 40-50 people). When we have guests, such as the district governor, sometimes we have to find a different venue because there is not enough room.”

Joanne Bray, president of the Lions Club, couldn’t agree more. She has been on a personal crusade on behalf of the clubs to search for a solution and end their homelessness, and has extended a call out on several local media sources.

“The space we need would have to be big enough for 30-40 people, a kitchen and bathroom. We would be able to use it much more than we are able to now as the Lioness have their meeting in someone’s house, and we (Lions) have our meeting at the Kiwanis Manor.

The Lioness have to rent somewhere when they have their bake sales, and when we have zone meetings we rent somewhere . . . we could plan more fundraisers if we had our own Lions/Lioness den.

We have banners, pictures, awards, scrapbooks that are all sitting in a basement as there is nowhere to hang them permanently.”

She continued, explaining, “I have talked to Mayor Hovanes and two councillors, and the Search and Rescue building became available but we have heard nothing.”

In a community where our needs are so high and our hearts so big, Joanne is hoping that someone can finally end the dilemma for this long-term service organization so that they can finally have a place to hang their hats and discuss their ongoing plans of how to serve Oliver.

“Last year the Lions/Lioness raised approximately $15,000 for our community. Imagine what we could do with our own Lions/Lioness den,”she said. “If we had our own space, it would encourage us to have more fundraisers, be able to get together more for ideas. In our zone we have lost four Lions clubs in the past two years, we are asking our community to stand by your Lions/Lioness. We desperately need more members and a home!”

Anyone with ideas please contact Joanne Bray at [email protected]

So wondering what’s coming up that you can take a break from your schedule and check out?

Saturday, Sept. 13 – Oliver Community Pool doggy swim, 4-5 pm

Saturay, Sept. 13 – Osoyoos Rotary presents “Lobster on the Beach” at Gyro Beach, 6 pm

Wednesday, Sept. 17 – Vaseux annual brush clearing with naturalists – meet at Vaseux Lake parking lot and help clear/clean the Vaseux boardwalk. Bring loppers, gloves, etc., as well as lunch and binoculars for afterward – 10 am.

Wednesday, Sept. 17 – Youth Cares public forum for parents and youth regarding school situation – 6:30-8 pm at Oliver Elks Hall.

Take the time to get out and about.  You’ll be glad you did.

Marji Basso

Special to the Chronicle