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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, February 26, 2016 | 8 Lions Club strong after 80 years in Oakville by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff For 80 years, the Oakville Lions Club has dedicated itself to serving the community. From its humble beginnings providing Christmas gifts for the youngsters of Stephens Survey School in 1935 to the tens of thousands of dollars it has raised over the years to support Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH), Oakville wouldn't be the town it is today without its help. Jim Robinson, a member for nearly 50 years, told the Oakville Beaver, you can see Lionism everywhere you look in Oakville. Lionism everywhere you look in Oakville His most memorable moments are the small acts of kindness the club has performed over the years, from buying a Scouts Canada uniform for a boy who couldn't afford it to helping a single, older woman pay for tree removal on her property because the cost was beyond her means. For Robinson, and other members, Lionism is very much a part of his identity. The Oakville Lions Club motto, "We Serve," is something club members live by. "I came from a family that helped build Oakville. I have a real attachment to the town," said Robinson, who was born and raised in Oakville, but now lives in Burlington. Oakville Leo Club (a youth organization of the Oakville Lions Club whose members range in age from 13-18 years) prepared and served a Saturday morning breakfast, for approximately 90 people at Kerr Street Mission, as seen in this Oakville Beaver file photo. Pictured, from left: Ana Cumurovic, Julia Mogus, Helena Koniar, Emma Mogus, Alexia Sumler and Seih Kim. | Oakville Beaver file photo "Anything I can do to help it along and make it better, I will do it." Robinson was among the many members who gathered at the Oakville Convention Centre on Wyecroft Road for a gala late in 2015 to celebrate the club's 80th anniversary. A large part of marking the milestone was reflecting on its past, present and future. More than 170 guests turned out for the event, including past international president Judge Brian Stevenson, then Oakville MP elect John Oliver, Labour Minister and Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn and Oakville Hospital Foundation CEO Tina Triano. Flynn noted Oakville is a better community because of the Oakville Lions Club's efforts. The Lions also received personal messages from Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Oakville Mayor Rob Burton congratulating the club on its 80th anniversary celebrations. "Know your efforts continue to play a vital role in making our province a more compassionate and caring place," wrote Wynne. Although the original Oakville Lions Club was the 25th club to be formed in Canada and included Robinson's father, C.J. Robinson as a member, it surrendered its charter around 1930 because of the Great Depression. The group reformed on Dec. 6, 1935 when 25 men gathered at the Gibson House (later The Halton Inn) to charter the club again. Since then, it has become a fixture in the community. Jeffrey Gross, the current president and a local businessman, looks back at the club's past in awe. "Not many clubs, organizations or businesses can lay claim to have been in operation for as long as we have," he said. see Young on p.10 WINTER SALE Save % 24 YEARS of Business Excellence We Match rnment The Gove senior discounts · bonded & insured · family owned & operated opera the hS pay t! n 1-877-662-4440 www.customdirectwindows.com Stoney Creek Over 20,000 sq ft manufacturing facility! we Create, print and distribute direct mail across Ontario from 12 cents apiece. FREE TEMPLATE DESIGNS TOP QUALITY PRINTING RELIABLE LOCAL DISTRIBUTION w o e ti N a c o locally owned and manufactured in hamilton L 352 Dosco Drive Rebate r Energy Sta ViSit our Showroom today buy direct from the factory and SaVe big Call 1-855-687-5925 or visit simpofly.com Use code `METRO10' for an additional 10% OFF your first order Promo code expires December 31, 2016.