The Carlyle & District Lions Club entered March like a lion - as members hosted their annual fundraising supper, raffle and auction. This year, the Lions are celebrating the annual fundraiser's 27th year and 55 years of charitable and community giving, totalling “well over” $1 million, according to past president and Lions member, Gord Paulley.
During its 55-year history, the Carlyle & District Lions have raised close to $1.5 million, all of which has been donated back to worthy charities, individuals in need and community projects - including Lions Park and Lions Pride housing in Carlyle, to name two. The Lions have also supported Cavalcade for Diabetes, Journey for Sight, Lions Eye Bank and the Sight and Service Foundation. They have also assisted area families with emergency expenses due to unforeseen medical circumstances.
The Thursday, March 1 event filled the Carlyle Memorial Hall as 215 attendees dined on a chicken and pork supper prepared by caterers Eileen Corrigan and Linda Chapman of Arcola (with pork supplied by Jack and Diane Wilson of Carlyle). The sold-out crowd bid on an impressive array of auction items and prizes - all donated by area businesses, organizations and individuals.
Event Chairperson and Lions member Wayne Wilson says: “None of this would be possible without the help of many, many people. Because of them, the Lions can donate every dollar back to causes we support - none of this goes to supporting our club's operations.”
This year's $1,000 cash winner is Dallas Robinson, while Martin Tourand picked up the $1,000 travel voucher.
“We have a couple of new ideas this year that we're trying. One is a 50/50 with a guaranteed payout of $500, as well as 50 mystery items that we'll sell at the end of the auction to the first 50 people with $10.”
“Every year, we start to prepare about the day after this event, getting ready for the next one,” he adds. “And everyone is so generous that it's not too long before we're filling up a shop storing donations for the auction.”
“(Auctioneer) Ward Cutler comes out every year - and he has come out every year for 23 years. Eileen (Corrigan) and Linda (Chapman) have prepared a great supper for us here tonight and Jack and Diane Wilson supplied and cooked the pork. The Hall Board set up the PA system and Cornerstone Theatre Group is running the bar,” he says.
“But most of all, we have to thank our many generous sponsors and donors and to everyone who comes out, year after year.”
Although the Lions added a few new twists to the auction action, two traditions were upheld. Auctioneer Ward Cutler returned to preside over the evening and as usual, he garnered top price for a years' worth of pies prepared by Lions President, Denis Feduk, with a $1,350 winning bid from Jolyn Schultz of Carlyle.
And as usual, Feduk presented Cutler with one of his prized pies, adding: “This is the only 'live pie' here tonight.”
Cutler summed up the evening by saying: “It's always a pleasure to come back to Carlyle - and to be part of such a wonderful event.”
Past president Gord Paulley says the success of the annual fundraiser is gratifying.
“It's our 27th year for this event and we're doing great,” he says. “”It's still a sell-out and prior to tonight, we've raissed in excess of $1.4 million over time.”
“And we're seeing a good turnover of people and some new faces this year, so our fundraiser is still going strong.”
