Recent donation to Leader Dogs was huge
By Barb Pert Templeton
When you live in a small town making a mark, statewide, nationally or even internationally, may seem like a pipe dream but the Algonac Lions Club has captured top honors in all three.
The dedicated members of the group, who are all volunteers, recently presented a $16,300 check to the Leader Dogs for the Blind. Turns out the donation placed them among the top 10 Lion’s Club donors in the world.
Algonac Marketing Director and Social Media Chairman Dwayne Hrynyk confirmed that milestone is not a typo, top 10 in the world status was something recently shared with the group by a representative from Leader Dogs for the Blind,
“She even said we may be in line to be one of the top five donors, yes, in the world, after this year’s donation is completed,” Hrynyk said. “And there are 13,000 Lions Clubs in the United States and many more in cities and towns around the world.”
A Jan. 3 meeting at the Lions Hall had Leader Dog Director of Lions Engagement, Beth Slade and Leader Dog client, Jeff Hawkins, presented with a ceremonial check for $16,300.00.
“What the Leader Dogs do is so important, they do what they can do for those in need,” Hrynyk said.
The Algonac Lions Club was one of the top 10 donors in the world to the Leader Dogs for the Blind this year. Pictured here are Leader Dog Director of Lions Engagement Beth Slade, Algonac Lions President Gary Miodowski and Leader Dog client Jeff Hawkins.
The Algonac Lions Club is a longtime supporters of the Leader Dog Organization, hosting special raffles each year earmarked for the group. In the past, the Lions would always raffle off a boat but when the prices got crazy high and COVID-19 prompted issues in the supply chain to just get a vessel, the group switched gears.
Three years ago, they raffled off a golf cart and then last year they decided an ATV 4-Wheeler might just be the most appealing prize.
“Not everyone likes boating but everyone loves an ATV and can use it somewhere in their life,” Hrynyk said.
After paying for the ATV prize, the remainder of the money collected via raffle tickets is presented to the Leaders Dogs. Tickets are $5 each or six for $20.
Selling the tickets has become a year long effort on the part of the Lions Club membership.
As they attend different events across the area, such as hosting a booth at the Fire and Ice Festival in Marine City or the Polar Plunge in New Baltimore, tickets are always available to the public.
“They can also purchase them 24 hours a day using our Venmo account,” Hrynyk said.
Keeping busy year round
Beyond the Leader Dog fundraiser, the Lions Club hands out donations in the community on a nearly weekly basis and they’ve managed to donate some $100,000 just here locally this year.
Families in need, be it due to a fire in their home or an unexpected illness, reach out to the club and are assisted via monetary donations. The club also gives out five scholarships each year to local high school graduates.
Events hosted by the Lions pack the calendar throughout the year. They hosted a holiday dinner for 120 seniors in the community in November and passed out 127 $25 gift cards to local seniors this past December. They also helped fulfill a wish list for a local church’s giving tree.
An ATV 4-Wheeler is the raffle prize for the Algonac Lion’s Club Leader Dog Fundraiser for this fiscal year which runs from July 1st until June 30. A drawing to pick the winner of the motor vehicle will be held during the annual Pickeral Tournament in July.
The Pickeral Tournament in July, Steak Dinner in August and Shrimp Dinner on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving are other annual fundraisers for the club.
“And all that money goes right back out, we don’t want to keep it we want to give it back out,” Hrynyk said.
Free community events hosted annually include an Easter breakfast and egg hunt that welcomed 450 people last year and a trick or treating day that’s equally popular in October.
He also notes that all of the events hosted by the Lions are open to everyone as is membership in the club. Interested applicants simply have to have a sponsor in the club who will nominate them for membership. Dues are just $23 a year.
“This is a 100% volunteer organization and what we say is ‘come when you want or when you can and do what you want when you can,’ Hrynyk said.
The Lions also rent out their hall and it’s booked just about every weekend year-round. Everything from wakes, to bridal showers to baseball banquets pack the calendar.
To find out more about the Algonac Lions Club visit their Facebook page at ‘Algonac Lions Club.’ Or call the Lions Hall at (810)512-8020.
