Submitted by:
Teri Martin |

On March 2, 2016, the Swan Valley Lions Clubs were commended in a Manitoba Legislative Assembly Member’s Statement by Minister Rob Kostyshyn for their dedication, service and community leadership.

Pictured above are: Minister Kostyshyn with Lions Wayne Markel,
Alex Haluschak, Ken Sutherland, Bert Jones, Al Karton and Bert Jenner
Click picture for a larger version.

The Member’s Statement reads as follows:

Through hundreds of volunteer hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars raised over the years, the Lions Clubs of Swan River, Minitonas and Bowsman have become role models for community service. These three clubs have put their heads together on a variety of projects and have accomplished great things.

One of their success stories is the recycling program they run in 11 communities. They employ seven people to sort and sell the recycling. To date, this has generated 2.4 million dollars that has been reinvested back into the community through other Lions projects. And material that would otherwise end up in landfills is repurposed. The paper, for example, gets turned into insulation for homes. It’s a story of how environmental protection, social justice and good jobs can go hand in hand with the right leadership.

The right leadership can also strengthen our health care. In 2011, together with the Swan Valley Health Facilities Foundation, the Swan Valley Lions Clubs raised nearly $400,000 to purchase cataract surgery equipment. This equipment is helping to restore sight for hundreds of Manitobans, and they’re getting the care they need closer to home.

Thanks to the dedication of their members, the Lions of Swan River, Minitonas and Bowsman are making progress on the things that matter to their families and their communities. Members of the Legislature, please join me in commending their service.