By : Meredith Mackeen.

This year, the Knowlton Lions Club is celebrating 70 years of service to the community. Under the logo “We Serve. Nous servons,” the Club plays a central role in community life in Brome Lake, Brome and West Bolton, raising funds to support community initiatives, organizing events like the annual Christmas parade in December and running programs designed to help people in need.

 Lions Club garage mega-sale coming May 30.

The Creation of Lions Park

Likely the Club’s best-known achievement was the creation of Lions Park in the 1960s with its tennis courts, sports fields and playground. The land and park have since been turned over to the town, but its name is a constant reminder of the Club’s commitment to community that is still going strong today.

Supporting Local Organizations

The Club helps support a long list of community organizations including the Brome Missisquoi Perkins Hospital, Knowlton Academy, Ecole St-Edouard, Pettes Library, and Brome Lake Historical Society. The Club also funds scholarships for French- and English-speaking students at Massey Vanier and Adult Education.

Lions Club organizes several high-profile activities. The annual garage sale fund-raiser, in its 22nd year, will be held May 30 at the Brome Fairgrounds. It is a great event not to be missed, says Lions Club member Margo Pfeiff.

Furniture, glassware, artistic objects and other treasures will be donated and sold. This year, garden and other plants will be accepted as well.

The club also distributes Christmas meal baskets including gift certificates for books or toys in collaboration with the food bank. It delivers poinsettia plants to individuals referred by friends and neighbours. Valentines Day is celebrated by sending cards to residents at seniors homes. Club members volunteer for the BMP fundraising brunch at Auberge West Brome each year.

Sports and Community Events

The Club supports sports activities and young athletes in the community. Other activities include the Remembrance Day breakfast in November where people donate what they can and eat all they wish. And then there is the ever-popular cake and ice cream served up during Canada Day celebration.

All these activities are possible thanks to generous donations, all of which are returned to non-profit groups in the community. Proceeds from the garage sale cover administrative costs and activities coordinated by the Lions Internation such as training guide dogs and aiding in times of emergency including Canadian forest fires.

Join the Club

The club welcomes new members who would like to volunteer. Contact the Club at Lions.Knowlton@gmail.com and follow the Club on Facebook.