The Oliver Lions Club was chartered
in March. 1979. The service club has
tried to fulfill its motto "We serve" with community involvement
by
fundraising for worthy causes and lending financial assistance whenever
possible.
Oliver Lions also contribute to an international
emergency disaster fund
and assist in Third World projects through CARE -- providing clean
drinking water and building schools.
A major project in Oliver was the construction of
Lions Park -- completed
at a cost of approximately $150,000 in labor and materials. Lions
are now
focusing on their next major accomplishment -- construction of a
skateboard park. (Completed)
The Oliver Lions club continues to fulfill its commitment
to other
projects such as Camp Winfield, collecting pull-tabs, and used eyeglasses,
CNIB, high school, university bursaries, Oliver Food Bank, Quest program
in local schools, library and more.
Oliver Lions were recognized for their community
work when they were
awarded the 1994 Oliver Community Achievement Award by the Oliver
Chamber
of Commerce.
The club has concentrated on programs for young people,
the disabled, the
elderly and those requiring a "lift" to make their lives
more satisfying.
Lions come from all walks of life, all united in upholding common
values
of quality service, loyalty & integrity service to others.
Lions make a difference all over the world and in
their own communities.
Under the umbrella of Lions Club International with a worldwide membership
of 1.35 million Lion members, in 197 countries, Oliver Lions have
assisted
financially towards mobile hospitals for eye operations in Third World
countries, and in the valley to the Kelowna General Hospital's
state-of-the-art eye surgery wing which began as a single room in
the
hospital's basement.
The official colors of Lions Clubs International
are Purple for loyalty
and integrity and Gold for sincerity, liberality, purity, and generosity.
Preservation of sight and hearing are two of the
major goals of Lions
Clubs International. Membership is open to men and women of legal
majority
and good reputation in the community, and is by invitation only.
The nature of the club organization makes it fun
to be a Lion! Historian
Dr. Walter B. Hoover writes that the organization was launched in
that
spirit of boisterous joviality with serious dedication which characterizes
their meetings even to this day.
