New records set by Timmins-area Lions Club’s holiday efforts

Timmins-area Lions Club very busy this year Schumacher Lions Club has been busy for the last few days delivering food & grocery vouchers to households needing support this Christmas.

Two records were set in Timmins on Saturday – but one is a record that the Schumacher Lions Club’s volunteers wish was never broken.

This year saw the Stan Fowler Christmas Fund set records for funds raised and for the number of grocery vouchers delivered.

“So far, we’re at 503 vouchers that are out for delivery and counting,” said John McCauley, the chair of the Christmas fund, in a news release Saturday.

“I still have people calling in today and still looking for a voucher. We’ll try to help as many as we can, but time is running out.”

This year the Lions Club raised more than $102,450 smashing last year’s record of $93,000.

“The total raised to date is $102,465.26,” said McCauley.

“We’ve never (before) even come close to giving out 500 vouchers.”

Volunteers said the totals were this high because there are more families than ever needing help in the region.

“If we didn’t have to give out a single voucher, I’d be the happiest guy in the world because then you know people are being taken care of and they don’t require this,” said McCauley.

“Unfortunately, we’re living in a society where it’s just not feasible and the struggle is real. It’s not just a few. It’s becoming more and more every year.”

A local radio station held a radiothon to support the fund this year and Mikey’s General Sales donated a generator, for which ballots were entered when donors contributed $50 or more to the fund.

“Then there was the generosity of local businesses and individuals,” said the club.

“When delivery day arrived, the Lions were joined by friends and family to get the job done.”

McCauley said he was “blown away” by the amount of people helping – adding more than 30 people were giving out vouchers on Saturday.

“If we missed you today, we left a door hanger, a yellow card, and we’ll be here Monday 1 - 5 p.m.,” he said.

“If you can’t make it then, give us a call. The phone number is on the door knocker. We’ll do our best to get you that voucher.”

The vouchers can’t be applied to alcohol or tobacco and are valid at any grocery store in Timmins except Walmart, which opted out a few years ago. The Lions also noted that no change is provided so the groceries must be purchased in a single visit and individuals must show ID to redeem the voucher.

In a brief interview on Monday, McCauley said many think it is just people on social assistance but it is not anymore.

"People say, well, it's just people on welfare," he said.

"(But) no, it's working families too.”

In addition to its regular holiday efforts, the Schumacher Lions Club has a new partner in its mission to help feed people in the Timmins area this Christmas.

Daniel Speigelman of Englehart works in the produce sector and delivers fruits and vegetables to grocery stores all over northern Ontario and for more than 30 years he’s been developing a ‘food box’ for families in need. This year, he added the Schumacher Lions Club to his roster and Monday, more than 40 households are receiving a variety of food items to celebrate this holiday season.

Timmins MPP George Pirie was also on hand helping with efforts on Monday.

He called was being deliver by volunteers a beautiful "cornucopia of food."

"There's a lot of families in need at Christmas time," said Pirie.

"I can imagine the smiles that, the little kids are going to have and they get this when they get this food, because it's a marvelous look at this."

Volunteers and club members said as long as there is a need in the community, they will do their best to live up to the club’s motto, “We serve.”

“We’ll do our part as long as we’re all kicking to try and make life a little easier on people,” said McCauley.

“Especially at Christmas and especially with children.”