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Lions raise $9000 for Dog Guides

June 1, 2013   ·   0 Comments

Dear editor:

Tottenham and District Lions Club Inc., assisted by Alliston Lions Club, hosted their twenty-first annual Lions Foundation of Canada Purina Walk for Dog Guides (LFCPWFDG) Sunday at the Tottenham Community Centre. 21 walkers registered and enjoyed the 5 km walk through the village of Tottenham. Initial assessment of the amount raised is about $9,000. The total raised at all Tottenham Walks is now over $215,000. The Tottenham event is one of  250 locations of similar Walks across Canada.

100% of funds raised go directly towards raising, training and providing Dog Guides at no cost to Canadians with disabilities. Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides mission is to provide safety, mobility and independence to Canadians with disabilities. The  Foundation does not receive any government funding and relies on donations and fundraising.

Canine Vision Dog Guides, for people who are the blind or visually impaired, Hearing Ear Dog Guides, for people who are blind or hard of hearing, Seizure Response Dog Guides, for people who have epilepsy, Special Skills Dog Guides, for people with a medical or physical disability, and Autism Assistance Dog Guides, for children 3–18 years of age with autism spectrum disoder, are programs of the Lions Foundation of Canada. A sixth program, Diabetic Alert Dog Guides, for people with diabetes, will be launched this year.

Since 1983, Lions Foundation of Canada has provided Dog Guides to more than 1,800 people of all ages with disabilities. It costs about $20,000 to train a dog guide team, including raising, training, transport (client to/from home to training school in Oakville) and veterinary fees. The client cannot pay for a dog. All expenses are paid from donations and fund-raisers such as the LFC Purina Walk for Dog Guides.

The walkers enjoyed refreshments donated by Procyon Wildlife Veterinary and Rehabilitation Services, Tim Horton’s, Tottenham & District Lions Club Inc. and Tottenham Foodland. Their dogs enjoyed refreshments from Tottenham PET VALU and Ralston Purina. Tottenham Lions and Alliston wish to thank all sponsors, as noted, and Orr & Associates Insurance Brokers, Tamsu Learning Centre,  Cynthia’s Grooming Salon, Pyne Hills Veterinary Hospital, Home Hardware, Affordable Optical, Tottenham Pharmasave,  The Barber Shop, Man of Yorke, Quik Cup Café, Seasons Floral Studio, The Cork and Vine, Fireplace STOP, Century 21 Heritage Group Ltd Broker Brian Lafazanos, Paws Swim Therapy, Curves for Women, Nescenti’s Esthetics Day Spa, Chilli N’ Ice, Taste of Freedom and Dairy Queen for their continued support.

The Shopping Spree Raffle draw prize winners were  drawn at noon. The winners listed here will be able to choose giftcards from a list of over 200 stores.

• 1st prize of $700: Christine Legree, Bradford.

• 2nd prize of $200: Brenda Walket, Beeton

• 3rd prize of $100: Mayor Mike MacEachern, Alliston

On behalf of the many clients across Canada, thanks to all participants, donors, walkers, sponsors and volunteers who helped to make the day a success. In particular, I thank the hard-working members of the organising committee who put in many hours over the months of preparation.

Les Stevens

Coordinator, LFC Purina Walk for Dog Guides

Committee,

Tottenham and District Lions

Club Inc.

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