After six months of hard work, the Logan Village Lions Club have donated over $18,000 to local clubs and charities.
In December, the club was able to donate their fundraised funds to over 18 local community organisations such as Defenders for Hope, Accord Outreach Logan, Kids 4 Kids, Rekon Youth Foundation, 5Fold, On The Edge Trust Beenleigh, 4 Voices and more.
Logan Village Lions Club president Phil Notaro said it’s great to be able to provide some relief to these organisations.
“The Lions are a service club, meaning we assist and serve the community whenever we can,” he said.
“It’s great to be able to provide some financial relief and assistance to many organisations that in turn do so much good work in our community, assisting young people and the vulnerable, those in our community that most need it.”
Mr Notaro said club members put in over six months of hard work to fundraise for the cause.
“The Lion’s main way of raising funds is our famous sausage sizzle,” he said.
“We have regular sizzles at various locations such as Bunnings, and local shopping centres. We also provide catering services for a number of community, school and private events.”
“We are self-sufficient with barbecues, a mobile cold room and generator and we specialise in deep fried food such as chips and tenders.”
But, the club really brought out the big guns, or big cakes, at Christmas time.
“We run a yearly Christmas raffle from August to December and our annual gold day in November,” Mr Notaro said.
“We also run our yearly Christmas wrapping at Beenleigh Marketplace and the sale of our delicious Lions Christmas Cakes, this is our main fundraising focus.
“Every cent we raise goes back into our community through donations to various organisations and charities.”
Local charity organisation, 4Voices received a donation from the Lions Club in December.
Founder of 4Voices, Jo Westh said the donation has been put towards helping people in awful predicaments on the streets of Logan.
“Donations need to help people access the basics of food, clothing, shelter,” she said.
“The housing crisis is greater than we have ever seen – try finding a home of a woman who has escaped domestic violence with her eight children, or a 70-year-old woman who has intellectual impairment and has no means to support herself and no mental health support, or a kiwi couple who do not qualify for benefits but are too ill to work and therefore are forced to live in their car.”
“If we operate as a community, one that supports each other without judgment we will improve people’s lives.”
REKON Youth Foundation also received a generous donation from the club. A spokesperson from REKON said every donation is received with a heart of gratitude.
“It’s always a blessing when local clubs can support the work in the community by not-for-profit orgs.”
“Donations given to REKON are being used to purchase food to feed the young people that attend our after-school community connection program called, Fusion.”
“Thank you to the members that have contributed to the ongoing community services that exist in Logan City, to serve those that need help and support.”
Ms Westh said there is not enough collaboration in our society.
“There are many people who are struggling in Logan with all sorts of social issues,” she said.
“We are on the streets daily and see people who don’t ask for help out of embarrassment, fear, sometimes shame.”
“Thank you Lions Club, for all that you do in bringing the community together to help solve these local issues.”
Last year, Logan Village Lions Club participated in the Variety Bash where they raised over $12,500 for disadvantaged children. They’ve also invested in the Mini Farm Project at Loganlea and donated to the Lismore Lions Flood appeal.
The Lions Club are on the lookout for new sponsorships and donations for their Variety Bash Car as well as local fundraising opportunities.
