By Margo Pfeiff, Knowlton Lions Club
Chartered in 1956, the Knowlton Lions Club became a part of the world’s largest service club – Lions International. Their motto is “We Serve”. A club of volunteer men and women, the club primarily serves the Town of Brome Lake, West Bolton and Brome Village. As of March 2021 it has been involved in community service for 65 years!
The best known contribution was the creation of Lions Park. The club purchased the land in the early ‘60s and has added tennis courts, fields for baseball and soccer, and a playground. The park has since been turned over to the town for maintenance and development. Other major projects include helping refurbish Douglass Beach, the Coldbrook walking path and building the original bridge between the two elementary schools. Many donations over the years to the BMP hospital include a 2021 gift of $20,000 for equipment to assist sight- related examinations as vision-related projects are one of the club’s mandates.
The club has also helped with educational needs at Knowlton Academy, École Saint-Édouard, as well as both secondary schools at Massey-Vanier and the Adult Education sector. Another important ongoing undertaking is providing smoke detectors for children’s bedrooms. Donations include many community groups and sporting activities such as the Salamander Summer Camp, soccer and ski programs and, more recently, the youth rowing club. Every December Christmas food baskets are prepared for those who need a helping hand, and the annual Lions Club Santa Claus parade is a December tradition that has been delighting the community for 60 years! To welcome the summer season the club supports La Fête Nationale and on Canada Day the Club gives out ice cream and cake.
There have been too many fundraising events, great memories and success stories to mention and with ongoing support they will continue into the future. If you are interested in learning more about the club or perhaps becoming a member, contact the Club at: Lions.Knowlton@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page at Club Lions de Knowlton Lions Club.