A official Lions Clubs International Eyeglass Recycling Center. Our goal is to provide used eyeglasses free of charge to people in  developing countries.

MISSION / VISION STATEMENT

   Calgary Correctional Center (CCC) Eyeglass Shop Recycling Program. To provide offenders  with an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to the global community through the "LIONS EYEGLASS RECYCLING "

    LIONS MISSION STATEMENT

  Of the Canadian Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center (CLERC)" To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through        community  involvement and International cooperation."

Inmates process a million eyeglasses

Offenders housed at the Calgary Correctional Centre processed their millionth pair of eyeglasses, destined for the visually impaired in East Africa. On September 26, 2002 officials calculated That one million donated eyeglasses had been received and prepared for shipping by the Centre’s Eyeglass shop.
A joint program of the Lions, Calgary Correctional and Operation Eyesight, the Eyeglass Shop has been in operation since 1996 and the first glasses were shipped in 1997. Eyeglass redistribution is only one facet of what Operation Eyesight does. Most importantly The organization seeks to prevent blindness in the developing world through health and education programs, and to restore sight through surgery and a variety of eye treatments. Members of Lions Clubs are credited with helping establish the Eyeglass Shop, and for donating the funds for purchasing supplies and equipment. In 2001, the Steering Committee of volunteers and correctional staff that oversee this program received Alberta Premier’s Award of Excellence for efficiency and cooperation. For further information contact the Lions representative Bernie Gribben PDG 37E.

First Quarterly Report for 2005-2006

EYEGLASSES COLLECTED

Glasses can be send by the following means Canada Post

             Clerc
             Box 1530 Stn T
             Calgary, Alberta
             T2H 3A3
             Phone (403) 640-1056

Courier / Transportation Company

            Calgary Correction Centre
            C/O Eyeglass Shop
            11808- 85 Street N.W.
            Calgary, Alberta
            T2M 4L9
            Contact Eyeglass Shop, 403-662-3710

When shipping with St. Georges Moving & Storage

            Send to:

            C/O St. Georges Moving

            6030 3rd Street SE

            Calgary, AB, T2H 1K2

            Attention: Connie Lorencz

            Contact United Van Lines.  They will be the new Gold Banner for the shipping of eyeglasses.  You can also call Bernie Gribben    at  403-640-1056 for more information.

 Make sure you check the website for updates and more information on the program:  http://www.clerc.ca/index.html

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   Lions Effective Speaking Contest  

For 2006, the Lions celebrate it's 60th year with this contest.  It was started in order to provide an opportunity for competitive effective speaking and to stimulate self-expression and independent thinking among students.  It is Canada's largest Effective Speaking Contest held in both English and French languages in the Multiple District "A".

The contest itself consist of three grade divisions within each of the English and French categories. 

                      Junior                           -Grade 6,7,8

                      Intermediate                -Grade 9,10

                      Senior                           -Grade 11,12

The contestant is to present his/her selected topic, partisan politics and religion excepted.  The speech must be their original composition.  In the Junior level, the speech is 3 to 5 minutes long, Intermediate and Senior between 5 and 7 minutes long.  The Intermediate and Seniors also are required to give an impromptu speech of at least 2 minutes but not exceeding 3 minutes.  The subjects are pre-selected from a group of concealed topics.  The contestant is given one addiction draw if he chooses not to take his first subject pick.  They are then given 15 minutes to prepare at which time pen and paper are removed and they are given an additional 5 minute study period.  They may refer to their notes without being deducted points but too frequent references to notes shall count against them.  Prop or aids shall not be used.

A panel of five qualified and impartial judges for each grade division within each language category shall decide the winners according to the marking scheme on the score sheet.  Judges' scoring are final and beyond question.  Contestants are judged according to Material((40%), Delivery(40%) and General Effect(20%).  The Impromptu Speech is to be judged in general according to the same division of points noted before.

Cash prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the Multiple District "A" Contest on the following basis:

                                                             Juniors                          Intermediate                      Seniors

First place winners                                $500                               $1000                                 $1000

Second Place winners                            $200                               $500                                   $500

Third Place winners                               n/a                                $200                                   $200

All other contestants                             $50                                 $50                                     $50

Each contestant also receives a certificate acknowledging his/her participation in the contest.  The winners also receive a trophy presented with a MD"A" trophy which he/she will keep for a year.  Winners are also invited to present their speeches at the annual convention., all costs paid for the contestant and parents. 

How do we make this happen?

The District Effective Speaking Chair, namely Lion Jake Newfeld of Valley East Lions Club(whity@cyberbeach.net), will solicit volunteer contributions from the Lions and Lioness clubs to offset the cost of the District Contest.  Any raised funds in excess of expenses shall be maintained by the District Effective Speaking Chair for the succeeding year's program. 

If you have never been to one of these contests, I encourage you to come and join us on April 1st, 2006 at the Valley East Den in order to hear these kids.  Come and encourage them and talk to your local school's teachers and principals in order to keep this contest going for many more years.  The money, the trophies these kids win is nothing compared to the sheer joy, the thrill of competition and the recognition given to them for trying out and participating.  Our kids are our future.  It is up to us to encourage them to participate in such contests in order to become responsible adults not afraid of taking their place in the community. 

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   Habitat for Humanity   

Habitat for Humanity is an independent, charitable, faith-based housing program dedicated to the elimination of poverty housing by building homes in partnership with families in need. We build simple, decent, and affordable houses and provide interest-free mortgages to families who would otherwise not be able to purchase their own home. The Habitat program is about home ownership and providing a long-term solution designed to break the poverty cycle.

The Habitat for Humanity movement was founded in 1976 in Americus, Georgia. The program developed from the concept of "partnership housing" where those in need of adequate shelter work side by side with volunteers from all walks of life to build simple, decent houses.

n 1984 Habitat's most famous volunteer, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, along with his wife, Rosalyn, participated in their first Habitat build project. Their personal involvement in Habitat brought the organization increased visibility and sparked interest in Habitat's work throughout North America and around the world.

In 1985 the movement spread to Canada with the formation of the first Canadian affiliate in Winkler, Manitoba. From these simple beginnings the Habitat for Humanity movement in Canada has grown to 69 affiliates in 10 provinces and two territories and has been successful in placing more than 980 families into new homes.

Habitat for Humanity now spans over 100 countries and is responsible for placing over 200,000 families into new homes around the world.

How fortunate we were here in the Sudbury area to have two of those homes built right here.  The first one was constructed on Dominion Drive in Val-Caron and the second right here in our village of Azilda.  Here are some of the ways you can get involved:

Volunteer at a Build
Use and learn construction skills in an unintimidating environment, while helping families in need.

Join an affiliate or chapter
Put your heart and hands into action through Habitat's Local Affiliates, Campus Chapters and Youth Programs.

Involve your company
Partner with Habitat as a business to help eliminate poverty housing.

Engage your church
Discover how places of worship can be partners in Habitat's work as members put their faith into action.

Shop at our ReStores
Shop for less, support Habitat's building programs, donate used materials and reduce the amount of substance being sent to landfills.

Make a donation
It's when you give that you're never quite the same.

Re-Stores

What can I expect to find?
You can expect things like: windows, doors, paint, hardware, lumber, tools, lighting fixtures and even the kitchen sink! Items are donated daily so each trip will bring you something new! For the do-it-yourselfer, the ReStore is the first place to visit for inexpensive renovations.

What materials can I donate?
You can donate reusable building materials such as the items listed above. Donations are accepted daily at any one of our 37 ReStores across the country, so instead of throwing your old tools and materials in the garbage, call your local ReStore to find out if your materials can be used somewhere else! If you are unable to fit larger items into your car or truck, the ReStore will arrange a time to come and pick the items up directly from your home free of charge.

Retailers and manufacturers can donate end-of-line, scratch-and-dent, discontinued inventory, paint mis-tint and customer returns to their closest ReStore and avoid the cost of returning them to the manufacturer.

We are fortunate to have one right here in Sudbury.  In case you don't know:

Dan Croft - Manager
450 Notre Dame Avenue, Unit 9
Sudbury, ON   P3C 5K8
Tel:  (705) 669-0624
Fax: (705) 669-1689
Email: restore.sudbury@personainternet.com

If you have any questions or want to know how you can help Habitat for Humanity Canada, please feel free to contact them anytime.

Habitat for Humanity Canada
40 Albert Street
Waterloo, ON N2L 3S2

Phone: 519-885-4565
Toll free: 1-800-667-5137
Fax: 519-885-5225
Email: habitat@habitat.ca

Let's see if you remember this article in the Sudbury Star a few years back.  Some of you may even recognize our former webmaster.

Canada Dog Guide Programs             

Lion Foundation of Canada is a federally incorporated charitable foundation founded by the Lions Clubs of Canada.  Its mission is to provide service to physically challenged Canadians in the areas of mobility, safety and independence and to assist other charitable endeavours as appropriate.

Lions Foundation of Canada was incorporated on February 20, 1983 and provides Dog Guides to Canadians through three on going programs...Canine Vision Canada, Hearing Ear Dogs of Canada and Special Skills Dogs of Canada.  The Foundation's 10 member board is made up of representatives from all of Canada's provinces and territories.

The Foundation operates two facilities in Ontario.  The Oakville facility serves as head office for the Foundation and training facility for Dog Guides and their handlers.  Our new Breslau property provides breeding and training facilities.

Since 1983, the lives of over 640 men, women and children from the age of 8 to 84, have been enriched by the services of specially trained Dog Guides from Lions Foundation of Canada.

These Dog Guide "handlers" from as far east as St John's, Newfoundland, and as far west as Victoria BC., have experienced the enrichment of their lives through new found freedom and independence and the companionship of a devoted Dog Guide partner.

Lions Foundation of Canada invites you to become an active supporter and participant in this hands-on humanitarian service for our less fortunate friends and neighbors. Please enjoy our site.

Dog Guide Training Programs

Lions Foundation of Canada is the only Dog Guide school of its kind in North America. In addition to training Dog Guides for people who are blind or visually impaired, the Foundation is unique in that it also trains Dog Guides to meet the needs of Canadians with hearing and other medically and physically limiting disabilities. All programs are offered at no charge to the client, but future care and maintenance become the responsibility of the Dog Guide recipient.

Dog Guide Training is completed over a period of six to eight months at the Breslau and Oakville facilities.  Once a Dog Guide is fully trained, the dog is matched with a client who stays at the training school in Oakville for 10 to 26 days, depending on the program.  Trainers work on e on one with clients and dogs to produce qualified Dog Guide Teams.

Our three Dog Guide programs are quite specific to the needs of our three main client categories:

• Canine Vision Canada Dog Guides for the legally blind. Canadians who are blind or visually impaired must find safe methods of mobility. On the streets, the blind must deal with cars, people, obstacles such as hydro poles and curbs and other stumbling blocks. Blind, or visually impaired people must keep track of where they are in their environment at all times.
• Special Skills Dogs of Canada for the physically disabled.

Special Skills Dogs work with clients who are physically or medically disabled with mobility concerns.

Basic Skills:

• Operate light switches
• Open and close doors (interior, exterior)
• Open fridge door, dryer door, drawers
• Retrieve items on floor
• Assist with client transfers from chair to bed
• Assist with roll over in bed
• Go for, or bark for help and/or activate an alert system (Life Line).

These dogs can assist seizure clients by getting help by barking, or activating an alert system. A Special Skills Dog provides independence, dignity, and confidence to the handler

• Hearing Ear Dogs of Canada for the hearing impaired.

Hearing Ear Dogs alert deaf and hard of hearing people to important sound signals and bring an independence and new confidence to their silent lives.

Basic Skills:

• Makes physical contact with handler on hearing specific or unusual noises.
• Leads handler to source of noise.
• Responds to telephone ring, door bell ring or knock, voice calls, baby crying, kettle boiling, and other household sounds.
• Can respond to hand signals and limited signing.

Training programs are both generic, to meet the general needs of clients, but are also specific to the needs of the individual client to whom the Dog Guide is assigned. In the final stage of training the client and the dog train together and live together at the Oakville training facility for up to 26 days to ensure bonding and a team approach to work and on-going care.

We estimate that there are 250,000 qualified candidates for a Dog Guide that will make their handlers' lives safer, more independent, and more enriched. We are only serving one tenth of a percent of these people.

When you consider that the working life of a Dog Guide is only 10 years, the supply is not even keeping up with the growth in demand.

The answer to this problem is funding. The Foundation, a non-profit organization provides Dog Guides to client, free of any charges. The cost of training and development is funded entirely by private donations. No Government funding is provided.

The Lions Foundation of Canada Breeding Kenner in Breslau, Ontario and generous donations by breeders provide quality puppies for development of future Dog Guides.

The Foster Puppy Program is very important to the early development and training of Dog Guides.  Selected Ontario volunteers provide homes for puppies where for the next 10 to 14 months, they learn proper house manners and are socialized and exposed to many different situations.  The Foundation covers routine medical and veterinary expenses and Ralston Purina Canada Inc. provides food.

Please visit our sponsor and donor pages and consider joining this worthwhile enterprise to give even more deserving Canadians a chance to enjoy a safer and more independent life.

If you know anyone in need of one of these kinds of helpful canines, please visit the site for more information.

Youth Exchange Information

© The International Association of Lions Clubs 2005 All Rights Reserved

What is CSFII?

Campaign SightFirst II is a coordinated, global fund-raising effort involving all 1.4 million Lions in 46,000 clubs to raise US$150 million for the SightFirst program. It is conducted by Lions Clubs International Foundation, the grant-making arm of the International Association of Lions Clubs.

In a comprehensive, worldwide feasibility study in 2004 an overwhelming number of Lions said that they wanted SightFirst to continue and would participate in a fund raising effort to make that a reality. Eighty-four percent of Lions questioned responded positively to the proposed campaign.

CSFII was endorsed by the Board of Directors in July 2004 and was launched at the 2005 International Convention in Hong Kong. The campaign will be conducted on a three-year timetable with intensive fund raising at the local level scheduled for 2006-2008.

Because SightFirst is an extraordinary initiative of all Lions and because other important Lions programs must continue, CSFII seeks funds over and above the existing support for LCIF and local Lions projects.

The Years of Campaign SightFirst II

2005-2006
The Year of Education and Preparation
CSFII Launched at the International Convention in Hong Kong
Model Clubs begin intensive fund raising. All Clubs conduct one additional fund-raising event for CSFII.

2006-2007
The Year of Inspiration and Motivation
Prepared Clubs begin intensive fund-raising efforts

2007-2008
The Year of Participation and Celebration
All remaining Clubs begin intensive fund raising.
CSFII concludes at the International Convention in Bangkok

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Lions Worldwide Induction Day

Year Round Growth Programs