With the support of Lions Club members, our dedicated “Knights of the Blind,” CNIB Lake Joe is smashing barriers to help more people who are blind or low vision get to camp.
CNIB Lake Joe’s two minibuses are aging, unreliable, and expensive to maintain. One bus was out of service for two years as parts were not available. Without transportation, many people impacted by sight loss are unable to access the life-changing programs offered at CNIB Lake Joe. In the words of Peter Best, a Lion who organizes a bus for guests travelling from southwestern Ontario every year, "If they can’t get there, they can’t benefit."
Responding to the need, Lions are helping to raise $160,000 for a new minibus that will provide safe, accessible, reliable, and comfortable transportation for campers. Once $80,000 has been raised, an application will be made to the Lions Club International Foundation for a matching grant.
The Kitchener Pioneer Lions Club donated the first $1,000 to kick start the campaign. Past President Chris Duncan called on his fellow Lions to contribute to this campaign and to help spread the word. “I’m super excited about stirring up competition with other Lions Clubs to match or beat my donation.”
Lion Jerry Rebidoux, District Governor for District A12 has heeded this call, making the CNIB Lake Joe Minibus campaign this year’s District Project. Annually District Governors have the privilege to choose a humanitarian project, or benefactor that resonates with them and their District, and they work together raising awareness and funds to support that endeavour.
Jerry hopes by choosing to highlight the Minibus campaign as this year’s project for his District, it’s an opportunity to empathize with the unique challenges CNIB Lake Joe campers face simply trying to navigate their way to camp. “Everyone should have an opportunity to experience Lake Joe; therefore, we must be committed to addressing any and all hurdles standing in their way of physically getting to camp.”
Jerry, together with the A12 Leadership team, are now on a mission encouraging all to “get on board” and support this year’s project.
One camper explains why CNIB Lake Joe is so important to her, saying, “CNIB Lake Joe feels like home. It’s the only place where I don’t have to explain myself or my disability. It’s the only place where I have been encouraged to try new things I never thought I would be able to do. CNIB Lake Joe is the place that has made me begin to believe that I can dream.”
Sadly, many people with sight loss miss out on transformative experiences at CNIB Lake Joe because they simply can’t get to camp. But thankfully, as Knights of the Blind, the Lions’ roar “We Serve” is being heard and is changing that!
Visit cnib.ca/LakeJoeMinibus for full details and to donate. While only donations from Lions can be matched by the Lions Club International Foundation, all gifts are deeply appreciated and will help us reach our goal as quickly as possible.
For more information on ways CNIB Lake Joe partners with local Lions Clubs, please contact Sherri Helsdingen, Manager, Community Engagement at Sherri.Helsdingen@cnib.ca or at 705-241-2907.