Vernon Lions Club

Activities and Events

Volunteer Opportunities

Our members engage in a variety of volunteer activities, such as:

Ducks for Dogs Raffle: This event supports the B.C and Alberta Guide Dogs and our focus is on autistic children ages 3-10 in the Vernon Area
Annual Golf Tourney supports Camp Winfield in Lake Country which provides overnight camps, online camps, and family camps. Camp Winfield focuses on creating experiences that instill confidence in children and adults, emphasizing abilities rather than disabilities. Their programs accommodate campers, from children, up to age 49, with developmental challenges, anxiety disorders, Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, and epilepsy/seizure disorders, .
Vision Screening: We conduct vision screenings at elementary schools in the Greater Vernon area, including Coldstream, Armstrong, Enderby, Lumby, and Falkland.
Used Eyeglass Collection: We collect used eyeglasses at all vision centres and optometrists in the Vernon area. These glasses are sorted, cleaned, and refurbished by CLERC in Calgary before being sent to third-world countries to assist children and adults who cannot afford proper eye care.

Fundraising Activities

Our members participate in many fundraising activities, during the year, including but not limited to:

Our Ducks for Dogs Race is a raffle and fun duck race in Polson Park, usually in July each year and the funds raised through ticket sales go to help fund a service dog for an autistic child in the Vernon area. In the last two years we have seen two dogs provided to autistic children, and this year we hope to see as many as two additional dogs placed with families.
We encourage all golfers to join in the fun at the Vernon Lions Annual Golf Tourney for a fun day at the course and participate in our Silent and Live Auction events during the evening after enjoying a great dinner and great camaraderie with like minded people. Camp Winfield is our fund recipient.
Charity Poker Tournaments The Vernon Lions Club holds three events a year and the funds raised for the last two years have been donated to the City of Vernon for the Barrier Free Change Room Facilities at Lakeview Peanut Pool and Park. This year it is our intention to provide an adjustable bed to assist caregivers and family members with changing into, and out of, bathing attire so that people with disabilities can use the pool too!

VDG Lion Steve Sweeney Visitation

On March 6, 2025 the Vernon Lions Club hosted Vice District Governor Lion Steve Sweeney and his wife, Zone Chairman, Lion Shelley Sweeney at our regular meeting.

Lion Steve gave a little of his background as a Vancouver Police Officer, where he put in 30 years of Service. He also told a funny story of his move to Delta. As he arrived at his new home with a loaded truck there were many people out on the street in chairs and around the neighbourhood. Was this a reception for him and his family? No, he found out that his new home was on a parade route and all the people were there for the parade. Well, he had another truck coming so they unloaded as fast as they could and when they went to get a second load he was proud to lead the procession through the neighbourhood, waving at all the people on his way out to get a second load. What a welcome to your new home.

VDG Lion Steve congratulated the Vernon Lions on all of the projects and events that they are involved with in the community and the good work they do for the community.

VDG Lion Steve was also proud to present several awards to the Vernon Lions Club, the first being to Lion Trudy Parke, Past President for 2023-2024, who graciously accepted on behalf of the Vernon Lions, the Club Excellence award for all their good deeds, activities, and projects during that year.

VDG Lion Steve also presented three Lions with their Long Service Awards, Lion Ken Cain – 25 years, Lion Ron Mare – 30 years, and Lion Mike Herrling – 45 years.

Congratulations to our Long Serving Lions and Thank you to Lions, VDG Steve and Zone Chairperson Shelley for a wonderful evening. We hope to see you again soon!

If you are interested in joining Lions or want to see what we are about, please click on the link below at vernonlionsclub.cato find out more about Vernon Lions in the community, or look for us on Facebook at facebook.com/vernonlionsclub1945/

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VDG Lion Steve Sweeney Presenting awards to Vernon Lions

Lion Ken Cain - 25 Years of Service

Lion Ron Mare - 30 Years of Service

Lion Mike Herrling - 45 Years of Service

Lion Trudy Parke - President 23-24 Club Excellence Award

2025 Winter Carnival Parade

Winter Carnival Parade Float

The Vernon Lions Club - Vernon, BC had so much fun making the float and being in the Vernon Winter Carnival 80's parade. Our float included our three main events, Poker, The Golf Tournament for Camp Winfield and Ducks for Dogs. Big shout out to Allan Louis for another awesome design. A huge thank you to Greg Sluggett and Rona for the donation of wood for the float! Super job everyone!

A special thanks to Westwood Electric for their support for the trailer and the construction space. It was great to be a part of the Winter Carnival Parade and share the laughter with fellow Lions and the public.

If you are interested in joining Lions or want to see what we are about, please click on the link below at [vernonlionsclub.ca] to find out more about Vernon Lions in the community, or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Vernonlionsclub1945

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Our Construction Team

Ready To Roll

Look Out For Our Lion!

Keeping with the Theme - 80's KISS

Okanagan T1D Donation

Okanagan T1D Hub - T1D Stands for Type 1 Diabetes

On February 7th 2025 Vernon Lions Club presented Debbie Sparling from the T1D Hub with a cheque for $800.00 to assist funding for activities for their clients and families. Presenting the cheque is Lion Trudy Parke in the Centre, and Lion Shauna Lyon on the right.

Also included in the Acceptance of the cheque is Carrie Lemay and her diabetic alert service dog from the Lions Foundation of Canada. Carrie provided a brief presentation on how Freckles works with her and her diabetes and as it happened Carrie had an episode of low blood sugar during the talk. We got to see a live example of how Freckles reacts with knowing when Carrie is about to have an episode and assists with telling her that she needs to have some juice or other food that will bring her levels back up. Later Carrie told us a story of another episode where Freckles actually saved her life when she had an episode at home and had passed out from the low blood sugar level.

Debbie Sparling told us about the T1D Group as a group of passionate people who create and host community events for T1D families and kids throughout the year in the Okanagan. When a child is diagnosed in the North Okanagan- we deliver a gift basket of things they might need and fun things and info about our community. If we are given consent that we can contact them - we text or call them to see what support they need.

“We hold educational diabetes fairs, park days, bowling evenings, summer camps, mental health sessions, sledding afternoons and general everyday check-ins to make sure everyone is ok! We have babysitting evenings so parents can have time to themselves without worrying about their children.
We are available for other gatherings of someone needs support.
We have done this for almost 4 years and our T1D community family is doing much better because of it.” Said Debbie Sparling

For more information on the T1D Hub please contact Debbie at 250-503-4836. Find the Okanagan T1D hub on Facebook- search for “Vernon & Area T1 Families”

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Vernonlionsclub1945

Vernon Lions Eyeglass Recycling Program

Eyeglass Collection

During the year 2024 Vernon Lions Club provided assistance in the total amount of several thousand dollars to clients in the community that required vision screening or eyeglasses. These clients were adults and children that required assistance but could not afford the cost of the exams or glasses. The Vernon Lions Club works closely with local optometrists, Child and Family Services, and other local groups to try to provide assistance where desperately needed.

As part of our mandate to assist with Vision, the Vernon Lions Club is also involved in recycling used eyeglasses for the Canadian Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centre (CLERC). Eyeglasses that are recyclable can be dropped off at most optometrist or vision centres in Vernon.

More information on Eyeglass Recycling can be found on their website clerc.ca/

What Happens To Them

Last year Vernon Lions Club recycled over 6600 pairs of eyeglasses to CLERC.

Vernon Collection Locations can be found at vernonlionsclub.ca at the bottom of the home page

More information on Eyeglass Recycling can be found on their website clerc.ca/

Upcoming Golf Tourney May, 2026

May, 2026 ---- Save The Date------ Get registered early!

Hey everyone…it’s that time of the year again and VERNON LIONS CLUB is getting ready to ROAR with its 8th annual Charity Golf Tournament and Auction, with all proceeds going to help fund EASTER SEALS CAMP WINFIELD.

This year’s event will be held at the beautiful VERNON GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB in May 2026.

With amazing community support, last year we were able to raise almost $20,000 for CAMP WINFIELD. This is a beautiful facility in Lake Country designed to ensure the specific needs of children and adults in our community with varied abilities are met. It is fully inclusive and accessible, so any individual with a disability can participate in any activity. There are rope courses, big swings, talent shows, swimming, campfires, arts & crafts and so many smiles. None of this comes cheap, so once again we depend on the participation and generosity of our community to help us meet our funding goals. Let’s send as many individuals as possible to Camp!

There are a number of ways to support this event…field a team and enjoy a fun day of golf with all kinds of course shenanigans…dinner, prizes and both a silent and live auction are part of the day's festivities.

Only $200.00 per golfer or $800.oo per team. You will be able to reserve, and pay online at:

golf.vernonlionsclub.com but please keep in mind that payment must occur at the time of registration.

Spots will not be held.

A limited amount of tickets for Dinner & Auction will also be available

Consider one of many sponsorship opportunities…information available on the website.

For over 77 years Easter Seals has been providing families with both children and adults with varied abilities with the resources they need to thrive in our communities. The support of the community is crucial to continue funding these programs and that is why the VERNON LIONS CLUB is asking for your help now. Please feel free to reach out to our Golf Committee:

Lion Dave Conner - Major Sponsors and Marketing daveconner459@gmail.com

Lion Simon Dufresne - Team Registrations and Activities simondufresne15@gmail.com

Lion Michele Materi-Baker; michelemateri@gmail.com (250) 307-2024

OR … any Vernon Lion you find roaring about town!

About Vernon Lions Club

Poker Night in Vernon

We strive to build a strong sense of community by providing opportunities for social connection and personal growth.

Vernon Poker Night

On October 25, 2025 Vernon Lions Club will be hosting it 10th poker tournament at the Army, Navy, Air Force Club in Vernon BC. People travel from as far away as Kamloops for this event, it is becoming so popular. This is a charity event raising funds for the The Kalamalka Starfish Packpack Society. This organization provides designated elementary school children with food for meals for two days over the weekend. We sill alos be donating to the Vernon Foodbank Society and the Salvation Army Food Bank.

Vernon Lions Club would like to thank all the participants, volunteer dealers and Lions, without whose help we would not be able to present these events.

If you are interested in playing in one of our tournaments our next event is October 25, 2025 More information can be found on our website vernonlionsclub.ca

If you are interested in joining Lions or want to see what we are about, please see the About Us page on our website, or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Vernonlionsclub1945

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Our Team

You too could be a winner like our two players Champion Karen Penaluna and Co-winner Mersad Khatani

Pictured also is Tournament Director Lion Ron Mare

We have a guaranteed prize pool of $800.00. We play the top 8 players and also a special prize of $100.00 for the high hand of the night.

You can register to play on our poker page on the website.

Vernon Vision Screening

In October and November of 2025, the Vernon Lions Club will be attending at 14 local and three private schools. Kindergarten, Grade 3, and Grade 6 students will be screened with parents being advised if a child should be referred to a local eye practitioner or optometrist for further screening and possibly needing eyeglasses.

This is an annual zone project of which the Vernon Lions Club is a part. All the volunteers have expressed how great they felt and how satisfying it was to be able to assist with this worthwhile project. Click on the link below for more information on this Lions International Project.

Click on the link here. [Lions Vision Screening Video](https://youtu.be/NU6yjUOnzro)

If you are interested in joining Lions go to our home page ans scroll down to our Membership Chairperson's link.

You can find out more on our Facebook Page as well. www.facebook.com/Vernonlionsclub1945/

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Remembrance Day, November 11, 2024

On Remembrance Day November 11, 2024 Vernon Lions attended at the Vernon Memorial and placed a wreath in remembrance of those who gave their lives in service to our country. Members of the Vernon Lions Club also attended at the service at Kal Tire Place and at the Okanagan Indian Band Memorial Remembrance Day services as well. Many of our past members were also members of the armed forces and we are proud to remember them as well.

Thank You For Your Service to all our fallen members!

2025 FROSTival Celebration

Look for our Station at the 2025 FROSTival Celebration. The Vernon Lions Club will be attending at the FROSTival event in downtown Vernon and our volunteers will be providing hot chocolate for a donation to the attending public. Thank you to all who came to our booth Last year. . The Club raised over $800.00 which will go to worthy causes for people with disabilities in the Vernon Area. Vernon Lions thank the promoters of the FROSTival event for inviting us to join in the fun and festivities. If you are interested in joining the Vernon Lions Club please contact liontrudyparke@gmail.com.

More information on the Vernon Lions Club in your community can be found at vernonlionsclub.ca

Camp Winfield Donation

On June 22, 2024 The Vernon Lions Club proudly presented our cheque in the amount of Nineteen Thousand, Eight Hundred, and Fifty Two Dollars and 13 cents ($19,852.13) to Mike Herrling representing Camp Winfield, the Easter Seal Society camp for people with disabilities in the Okanagan area. Camp Winfield is located in Lake Country. The proceeds are from the Vernon Lions Club 6th Annual Charity Golf Tourney held in May 2024. Our next event will be on May 31, 2025 at the Vernon Golf and Country Club. Visit us at golf.vernonlionsclub.com for more information. Registration is opening soon!!

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Activities and Events

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