There are many projects conducted by a lions club that benifit different groups within a community. Some of those projects are shown on this page.
Youth Projects
Children of Courage
The Lions Children of Courage Awards Program is now one of the most rewarding projects conducted by Lions Clubs in our District.
The Children of Courage awards recognise a very special group of children and their families. There are many awards that recognise the achievements of young people, however children with ‘special needs’ were not catered for. These awards are especially designed to recognise the courage and bravery shown by these children every day.
Fire Poster Competition
The fire safety competition is one of lions most educational projects, it was devised by the Lions Club of Golden Valley Keperra in 1976 in conjunction with the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and is run in the Q Districts. The competition is organised by the Lions club who co-ordinates with their local schools and arranges for the Fire Brigade to conduct talks to the students.
This competition is open to students who are in grade four (4). Every year there is a different theme and the art work depicts what the student has learnt from the presentation given by the fire officers.
Peace Poster Contest – “Peace, Love and Understanding”
This is the theme of the 2014 – 2015 Peace Poster Contest. Lions Clubs can sponsor the program in their community for children in local schools or organised youth groups.
Students who will be 11, 12 or 13 years of age on November 15th 2014 are eligible to participate.
Through the contest students are encouraged to visually depict their interpretation of the contest’s theme. Each year a different theme incorporating Peace is chosen. Twenty four international finalists are selected to represent the work of more than 350,000 young participants from around 75 countries worldwide. Since 1988 more than 3.6 million children have participated.
Extracted from the Lions Australia website where you can find additional information
International Youth Camps
Lions Clubs International Youth Camps offer something unique in an exchange program. There are far too many Lions Youth Camps on offer around the world to list them individually here. Most camps are in July/August but a few are on offer in the northern hemisphere winter. Youth Camps are ideal for the University student as many fall in the Australian mid year holiday period.
Lions Youth Camps allow you to experience a truly international experience, with up to 15 different nationalities attending each one. The camps are usually of 7 to 14 days duration and home hosting is available either before or after camp to extend your trip to three weeks or more.
Camps are available in Europe, Scandinavia, UK, Japan, Brazil, Canada, USA and Malaysia.
More about International Youth Camps
One persons experience
Community Projects
Lions Clubs Eyeglass Recycling Programme
In just about any home, one can find a pair of eyeglasses that are no longer being used. That same pair of eyeglasses can change another person’s life. That’s why we started the Lions Recycle for Sight programme. Everyone can help.
Throughout the year, Lions, Leos and other volunteers collect used eyeglasses and deliver them to regional Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers (LERCs). LERC volunteers clean, sort by prescription strength and package the glasses. Recycled glasses are distributed to people in need in low and middle income communities where they will have the greatest impact.
Disabled Picnic Day
In 1981,the International Year for the Disabled started what was to become an annual event and remains so to the present day,The Lions Club of Ipswich planed a picnic day for the Disabled, at Queens Park, Ipswich. About 30 local organizations were invited by President Kev O’Brien, to take part in this picnic. The first day saw 350 Disabled in attendance.
Then on October 18th November 1982, all the disabled were invited to a Mini Rodeo at Doug Cross’s Mini Ranch at Karrabin. At that time an organization “Crossroads” (Queensland) which had it beginning in Ipswich at the Central Mission of the Uniting Church in December 1976, with aim of providing a Christian education and Fellowship for disabled people had grown to about 2000 Disabled People involving 30 branch’s throughout Queensland and the Ipswich Branch had about 120 Members. Some of the activities were Face Painting, Amusement Rides, Fancy Hat Competition, Food and The Best Cowgirl / Cowboy Calls.
Hearing Dogs
Lions Hearing Dogs is a not-for-profit organisation that provides hearing dogs and training in their use to hearing impaired people throughout Australia. Dogs and follow-up support are provided free of charge.
Nearly 500 dogs have been supplied Australia-wide since 1982.
The majority of our funding comes from Australian Lions clubs which, together with other donations and sponsorship, makes it possible for us to produce highly trained and effective hearing dogs.
Visit the Lions hearing dogs website
Our Own White Cane Dinner
Ipswich Lions provide transport to the Visually Impaired of Ipswich, to the annual White Cane Dinner,1975 the dinner was held at the “Gabba” greyhound racing track.
In later years it was decided that it was too much for the VIPs (Visually Impaired Persons) to travel to Brisbane so commenced running “our own white cane dinner” as an annual event.
Fundraising Projects
Catering
Ipswich Lions members can often be seen conducting a sausage sizzle or Bar-B-Que raising funds for community projects
Lions Christmas Cakes
The Lions Christmas Cake and Pudding program has been a major fund raising project of Lions Australia since 1965 and raised an estimated profit in excess of $50m. The profits from this project are donated back into the community in many ways but just to name a few. Sight first, Medical Research, Children’s Mobility Foundation, Eye Health Program, Hearing Dogs, Disaster Relief, Aged Care, Drug Awareness, Youth Programs.
You may rest assured that should you purchase a product from this program the profit generated will be put to good use in the community.
More about Lions christas cake programme
Lions Mints & Fudge
Lions mints and fudge are available at many locations throughout Australia.
If you require Lions mints or fudge please contact the Ipswich lions club.
More information available from Lions Australia Mint project