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for the supply of Braille machines and tobuild schools for the blind. The organisationrecycles spectacles for distribution tovisually impaired people, and raises fundsfor the Special Olympics, amongst manyother similar projects to preserve sight andprevent blindness.Sheila has devoted herself deeply to“Lionism” and all the many “Lionistic”activities that the Lions Club PretoriaJakaranda gets involved in, and there areliterally hundreds of them. Jakaranda Lionsraise funds for Braille machines and thetraining of guide dogs, and they provide toys,clothing and wholesome food for abusedand disadvantaged children in homes in theregion. One of Sheila’s favourite projects wasthe Jakaranda Lions’ involvement with PaulJungnickel Home, a home for 150 disabledadults. The Lions raised funds to providemattresses, linen, blankets and clothes forthe residents. Then the Lions organised adisco entertainment evening, with bow tiesfor the men and jewellery and make-upfor the women. This was accompanied by awholesome dinner served by the Lions.An important event for all Lions clubsworldwide is World Service Day held on aday in October. Each club takes on a specialproject for a community. Jakaranda Lionslast year hosted a splendid Hawaiian eveningfor the residents of Paul Jungnickel Home,which was a tremendous success.Lions activities provides an outlet for eachindividual Lion’s own personal passion.Sheila for instance is “into old people”It has madesuch a difference forme to help make adifference.”and spends a lot of time helping peoplein the old age homes. Lion Gerry is a verycreative person, and utilises her skills inthat direction by providing craft classes tosenior citizens and unmarried mothers asgroup therapy. Lion Annamarie’s passionis children, and she provides major inputstowards all projects involving the youth,be it Christmas parties, care and support tochildren’s homes or fulfilling terminally illchildren’s dreams in association with theReach for a Dream Foundation.There are just so many events that theseLions are involved with: Care bags withemergency toiletries and comfort items forchildren undergoing chemotherapy in cancerwards, maintaining a “post box” betweenparents and children to convey writtenmessages and small treats for children whoseparents are hospitalised; collecting anddistributing toys donated by motorcycle clubsduring the annual Christmas Toy Run; actingas drivers for the blind navigators in theannual Blind Navigators’ Rally and organisingraffles and providing catering services toraise funds for Lions projects.Jakaranda Lions have also funded the trainingof a rescue dog, which will sniff out live victimsof disasters. Lions raise funds to provide manualand electric wheelchairs to the disabled; theyalso repair wheelchairs. They plant trees onArbour Day to sustain the environment.The biggest fund raising event on the LionsClub Pretoria Jakaranda’s calendar is theirannual Christmas Craft Market, held early inDecember. This is where most of their fundsfor the year’s projects are raised.The Lions regularly assist competitors on theannual Blind Navigators Rally.For Sheila, there’s nothing betterthan kids’ smiling faces.After handing out new school clothes, Sheila getsa hug from one of the kids at Jakaranda House.Jakaranda Lions have channelledover US$10 000 to KZN and CapeTown for disaster relief work aftertheir recent floods.Raising funds for the Lions ClubInternational Foundation (LCIF) is anotherfundamental activity for all Lions Clubs.The Foundation continually channelsmoney, food and essential supplies to relieforganisations in disaster areas all over theworld. Most recently the LCIF providedUS$500 000 to relief efforts following theChina earthquake. The Guandong andShenzhen Lions collectively raised US$700000, with Hong Kong providing US$160 000to quake relief. Closer to home, the old agehome in Laingsburg was rebuilt from thesefunds after the disastrous floods some tenyears back, and Lions have also channelled inexcess of US$10 000 for disaster relief work toKZN and Cape Town respectively after theirrecent floods.The Melvin Jones Fellowship is thebackbone of LCIF, providing 70 percent ofthe foundation’s revenue. In recognition ofhumanitarian work, an MJF is awarded topeople for whom a donation of US$1 000was made to LCIF by others (such as a Lionsclub), or to those who donate such an amountthemselves to LCIF. Melvin Jones Fellowsreceive an attractive lapel pin, a plaque anda congratulatory letter. And seven JakarandaLions are Fellows! Lions and non-Lions canalso be recognised for their humanitarianservices by being placed on the LCIF honoursroll. No less than eleven Jakaranda Lions areon that roll. Quite a feat for this little club!Sheila’s health is not what it was 9 yearsago, but she’s still passionate about herLionism and is able to coordinate activitieswith, and delegate responsibilities to herwonderful fellow Lions. Her three biggestwishes are to recruit more young Lionsmembers; to recruit more sponsors to helpwith costs, and to recruit more donors anddonations – whether it is money, toys, beds,blankets or food – anything that can bepassed onto someone to make their life a littlebetter. Sheila was honoured as Jakaranda’sLion of the Year in 2006.For more info on the Lions Club PretoriaJakaranda, visit their website at www.lionsmd410.org.za/410b/pretoriajakaranda.htm, or contact:President: Alna Jackson 082 773 1005PRO: Rykie Czanik 082 923 9468www.scania.com N o 3/2009 • SCANIA REVOLUTIONS 19