Page 90 - Linkline Yearbook 2017

The 2017 centenary of the organisation has been framed
by the motto ‘Where there’s a need, there’s a lion’ and they are working towards the Centennial Service Challenge of serving 100 million people by 31 December, 2017. “We are planning several special projects for our centenary year, including a major programme of support for the breeding and training of Guide and Assistance dogs, and a ‘Better Ireland Challenge’ which enables every organisation in the country to participate in a programme designed to make Ireland a ‘better place to live, work and play.’ He was present at the planting in March of this year of three red Irish oaks in Newbridge County Kildare. The three oak trees were selected by tree expert Paddy Gleeson, who informed the gathering that they will grow for 300 years, mature for 300 hundred years, live a further 300 years and make a great contribution to the reduction of carbon emissions.
The tree planting ceremony was held in the Linear Park
in Newbridge, recently, and was completed with the
kind and generous assistance of Newbridge Tidy Towns Association. Lion President Paula Keegan said: "There
were several reasons for planting the trees, amongst them that all Lions clubs internationally had to complete an environmental project for the Centenary of Lions Club International which takes place in 2017. So it was considered a great opportunity to do something tangible for the community and honour our founder members."
When the club was being established In Ireland, Lions events were spearheaded by an event known as ‘Eric’s Party’ in Dublin, which was started in 1962 by Lions member Eric Webb to provide a meal and entertainment for homeless people. Recently in excess of 500 people have regularly attended the event, which has been actively supported by President Michael D. Higgins.
The motto of ‘we serve’ means that serving the general public is at the core of the Lions activities.
Internationally, one of the main projects of the Irish organisation is to assist refugees in Lebanon. In Lebanon the objective is to construct a Lions ‘safe centre’ to enable children to be able to play in a secure and safe environment. The zone would consist of 5-10 tents or prefabs where children can learn, be creative and gain assistance from primary care providers. Another project is the possible contribution of €250,000 to a school in the Bekaa Valley in southern Lebanon to assist in the education of the many thousands of children who are not being catered for by the threadbare Lebanese educational system. The projects were evaluated by a Lions study visit to the country in Autumn 2015.
“Our clubs undertake hundreds of community support projects at local level while Lions Clubs internationally also make a substantial contribution to international projects such as eyesight care in Africa, refugee services and
disaster relief,” Mr Allen added. He also explained that the fundamental principle of the organisation, that every cent collected goes directly to projects and causes, was one of the main reasons for the enduring success of the Lions.
The Irish Lions Club district is knows as District 105, and it has clubs throughout the country. A full list of the clubs is available at the Irish Lions Club International website
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Paul Allen
90 The CharTered InsTITuTe of LogIsTICs & TransporT
LIONS CLUB