Lions Club launches fundraising program

The Georgetown Lions Club is now participating in a new Lions fundraising program-- the Lions Gateway Club. The project is geared to provide savings to people, generate more customers for participating businesses, introduce Lionism to younger people and be a fundraising opportunity for community groups and organizations. The Lions Gateway Club program started three years ago in the Ottawa area, as the brainchild of Roy Brown, a member of the Cumberland Lions Club. The program revolves around a Lions Gateway Club card which can be purchased for $20 which then makes the person eligible for various discounts and specials at participating businesses. The card is good for one year from the date of purchase. The businesses do not pay to participate but they do sign an agreement offering a certain discount or special to Lions Gateway Club card-holders. In return, they get a hoped-for increase in business. Since the sale of the card is to be a fundraising opportunity for local groups and organizations, it will provide businesses with some relief from the constant requests they receive for donations to community groups and organizations. They can now point to the sticker that indicates participation in the Lions Gateway Club program as evidence of their support for the community. All participating businesses are also listed on the program's web site, which is free advertising for them. Those using the Lions Gateway Club card also benefit from the specials or discounts which are provided to card-holders by the participating businesses. This could include as much as a 15 per cent discount on services and/or being eligible for a special. The program also makes young people more aware of Lionism. It is expected that youth groups and teams will be among those who sell the program's cards under the auspices, and with training from, the local Lions Club. Organizations and groups that take on the sale of the cards can earn up to $10 per card. The rest of the funds go to the local Lions Club with five percent going to pay for costs related to the program such as printing, web site and promotion costs. Virtually all of the funds raised by the sale of Lions Gateway Club cards will end up staying in the community where the local Lions Club is participating. The card can be used at any participating business anywhere, despite where it was purchased. All participating businesses will have a Lions Club sticker on the door and on the cash register to identify them as a program participant. At least 63 businesses in Georgetown are now signed up to accept Lions Gateway Club cards, which the Georgetown Lions Club is now providing at a cost of $20. The Georgetown Lions are the sponsoring club for the entire GTA and are now looking to expand the program by soliciting the help of other Lions clubs in the District. As of two weeks ago the Chinguacousy Lions Club, in Brampton, agreed to participate and is now signing up local businesses in their area To find out how you as an individual, as a business, or as a community group can participate and help raise funds, contact one of the following Georgetown Lions: Donna Brown (416523-3230), Tom Colton (905-873-8707), Georgette Dorcich (905-875-0999) or Glenn Emmerson (905-702-3904). Check out the Lions Gateway web site at www.lionsgatewayclub.ca

Patrick Roy gets Gateway card information from Georgette Dorcich of the Georgetown Lions Club during last weekend's Community Open House at the Georgetown Market Place.