Give our kids a chance - Lions Australia

Shopping bonanza
The Ulverstone Lions Club on the north-west
coast of Tasmania knows a bit about
merchandising.
For six years it has been running a highly
successful community shop that in the 2010
calendar year alone generated $43,000 for local
projects and Lions activities in Australia.
Not far from the main business district, the
shop has a volunteer staff of about 44, consisting
of Lions, Lions Ladies and friends.
Under the management of Chairman Rob
Johnstone and Secretary/Treasurer Neil Rawson,
it opens five days a week and gains its stock
(light furnishings, books, ornaments, glasses,
children’s toys and kitchen utensils) from visits to
garage sales for unsold goods, plus donations
from the general public.
Past major contributions have included
$11,000 to Lions Haiti Appeal, $6900 for
playground equipment, $4000 for local circus
organisation Slipstream, $3000 for a special bed
Making it happen in Tungamah
Simon and Vicki Crawford are young parents
in Tungamah, Victoria, who in 2004 were
presented with their second child, Montana, a
little sister for Illa.
Everything was wonderful until
Montana was diagnosed with
Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy,
a truly awful illness that affects
the nervous system. This disease
will gradually destroy her
nervous system and Montana will
die, probably about age 10.
In 2006, Montana’s little
brother Cadel was born, named
after Cadel Evans (dad Simon
was a top class cyclist before his
family situation forced him to
retire). Incredibly, Cadel has the
same disease. It has since been
established that both parents
carry a rare gene.
Montana attends the Cobram
Special School where I am a teacher. My Lions
Club of Tungamah and District, with assistance
from many other clubs in the district, has been
raising funds to assist the Crawford family for
some time. At their first attempt, Lions and the
local community raised over $25,000 in a day,
June - July 2011
for Motor Neurone sufferers, $2500 for the
Salvation Army for under-privileged people and
$1500 for fire victims.
With 45 members, Ulverstone is one of the
biggest clubs in Tasmania and has twice hosted
the T1 Convention (it is also committed to hosting
an outstanding effort in a town of just 330.
Looking ahead, Lions have set up a trust to use
this money to provide for the children.
Your foundation, the Australian Lions
Gae and Elvio, Robyn and Les with Simon and Vicki and Illa, Cadel and Montana.
Foundation, has also provided grants for lifters
and change tables. This helps, but more help is
needed. Inevitably the trust money is dwindling
with the continuing need for wheelchairs, travel
and medical expenses and more.
Last year N5 PDG Elvio Munzone and Lion Gae
the convention in 2012).
It helps run a Christmas parade while
providing a float and selling Christmas trees. An
annual golf day is well supported and a great
public relations exercise.
– Neil Rawson, Publicity Officer
visited V6 and spent time with my family. Elvio
and I served as District Governors in the same
year and had formed a lasting friendship. Over a
glass of red we discussed the Crawfords’
difficulties, and in particular Cadel’s need
for a new wheelchair costing almost
$7,000. Elvio immediately acted. He called
two other PDGs from our year – CC Phil
Lawler from N2 and PDG Bob Moore from
N4 – and asked them to help. PCC Phil
promoted the idea through N2 clubs, and
PDG Bob did likewise in N4 and Elvio in N5.
Donations began to arrive, with Bondi and
Lugarno clubs each donating $2000.
Griffith donated $1000 and Manly and
other clubs kicked in generously and,
together with a sizeable donation from the
V6 Foundation, the $7000 was raised.
The Crawfords and Tungamah Lions are
extremely grateful for the help given their
family, particularly as it was largely driven
by a total stranger to our town. Our sincere
and heartfelt thanks go to PDG Elvio and every
club that donated toward this worthy cause.
Without a Lions club in our town, this would not
have happened!
– PDG Les Harrison, V6
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