For 65 years a group of dedicated volunteers has been serving the community in and around Shediac, N.B., but that will all come to an end at the end of the month. The Shediac Lions Club announced on Facebook last week it would be “ceasing all activities” at the end of June. Club president Marc Cormier, who has been a Lion for nearly 25 years, said there are only seven members and the club just isn’t growing. “At some point, you have to make a decision,” said Cormier. “It’s become more and more difficult to recruit new members to help with different projects.” The Shediac Lions Club began in the fall of 1961 when a group of businesspeople got together to try and help people in the community. Cormier said the first major accomplishment of the group was purchasing an ambulance in 1964. “At the time it was actually manned by volunteers from the Shediac Lions Club,” said Cormier. Since then, the volunteers with the Lions have held countless fundraising events and have supported local schools and organizations. Cormier said the Shediac Lions were donating in the vicinity of $40,000 a year for a school breakfast program. “There’s a lot of things that have been done by the Shediac Lions Club in the Shediac area. It’s the passing of an era,” said Cormier. Remaining funds to be donated In a statement to CTV News, Shediac Mayor Patricia Bourque-Chevarie said it’s a great loss for the community and the impact will be felt directly by the organizations and associations that work diligently to improve the lives of the town’s residents. “Over the years, the Club has contributed to numerous projects, including a recent $10,000 donation to the Shediac Fire Department to help fund a rescue boat,” said Bourque-Chevarie. “The Town of Shediac is sincerely grateful to the Lions Club for its longstanding support and valuable contributions to our community.” The Lions will be donating the balance of the funds in their accounts, roughly $85,000, to the town. Cormier said the money will be put toward a new recreational centre that is in the planning stages. “We like the idea that that money would go the Shediac population at large,” said Cormier. Bourque-Chevarie said the town is committed to ensuring all funds donated by the club will be used for the benefit of residents throughout the Shediac area. “In a manner that honours the spirit of generosity, service, and community leadership that has long defined the Shediac Lions Club,” said Bourque-Chevarie. ‘Definitely a loss for us’ Perhaps no organization will feel the loss more than the local food bank. Vestiaire St-Joseph executive director Heather Richards said they will miss them a lot and it’s unfortunate for the community. “It’s also unfortunate for the Vestiaire St-Joseph because for many years, they’ve been strong volunteers,” said Richards. “They help with our Christmas box program. They run the barbeque at the Cruise for Shediac car show and the funds come to the Vestiaire. They did the barbeque at our golf tournament in September which is our major fundraiser.” Richards said the Lions have also made financial contributions to pay for equipment, food and vehicle insurance. “They’re a group that we could always count on if we needed something last minute. We could contact them. Always knew they were game to come and do our fundraisers for us, and they also did other things on the side for the greater community so it’s definitely a loss for us,” said Richards. Joining a new club Cormier’s career as a Lion is not over. He and a few others will be joining a Lions Club in Moncton. The Humphrey Lewisville Sunny Brae Lions Club‘s outgoing president Andy Arseneau said they’re looking forward to having new members join them. “We’ve met them years before and they’re noted for being great workers, great people and we’re especially happy to have Marc onboard. We’re happy, we’re pleased and we’re looking forward to these new members,” said Arseneau. Incoming president Maurice Boucher said there’s always a sadness when a Lions club closes. “Shediac has done an awful lot for the community in the Shediac area. With these new members joining our facility we’re going to go ahead and use them and also we’re going to go ahead and provide service to their area as part of our club as well,” said Boucher. Cormier said it has always been a part of him to give back. “I come from a family where helping in the community is important,” he said. “My parents have always been very much involved so I grew up thinking that was normal.” The club will officially cease to exist on June 30. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
