Our History

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!