Monasterevin Lions Club
The Club has had a very successful 2008, in which they went out on their own and hosted a number of popular events.
This year was the club’s first year as Monasterevin Lions Club, as previous to this it was the Monasterevin / Portarlington Lions Club. The club broke into to two specific groups early in 2008 so this was a particularly memorable year for the Monasterevin group.
Dick Somers of the club told the Kildare Nationalist about the highlights of 2008 for the members. A recent highlight was when the club held its Christmas campaign and food appeal early last month, with the numbers of people contributing comparable to 2008. “It was quite good, it was in line with last year,” said Dick.
Each year, the club donates around €6,000 in total to local charities. Once again this year it donated money to the Monasterevin Senior Citizens group, Monasterevin Day Care Centre, Monasterevin Parish, St John’s Church of Ireland, the local Mercy Convent, and Sr Francisca in Portlaoise. The club raised the money through holding events such as the regular adult dancing classes in the Hazel Hotel.
One of the major events of the year was a charity walk which the club held in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation. Volunteers walked four miles on a round trip from the Hazel Hotel and back, and raised the funds through sponsor-ship cards. In total, €4,000 was raised for the charity.
The club also held a dinner dance and their first Monasterevin Person of the Year awards. “It was an extremely successful event,” said Dick. “It was very well supported.” The competition involved volunteers from a number of clubs and organisations in Monasterevin and helped shine a spotlight on those who contribute to their local community. “They all did terrific work,” said Dick.
The club hopes to make the awards a yearly event. The deserving winner of this year’s award was Sr Angela of the Mercy Convent.
Next up for Monasterevin Lions Club is the organisation of their annual trip to Trabolgan. This is a summer event that is organised by Lions Clubs all over the country and it gives members of local communities a chance to have a free fun holiday where they can relax. In the coming months the club members will choose this year’s lucky recipients of a place on the trip to the activity centre.
Meanwhile, the members will continue to meet on the second Tuesday of every month to plan the coming year’s events.