THE Leo Club of Castries, a programme of the Lions Club of Castries last Friday celebrated the 33rd anniversary of their charter as a club. The Club was chartered on April 7, 1984.
April is also significant for the Leo Programme as Lions International has designated this month as Leo Awareness Month as an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of engaging young people in the community through youth programmes such as Leo clubs. Getting youth actively involved in community service can help them develop the skills needed to achieve their dreams and make a positive impact.
Like their Lion counterparts, the Leos of Castries have been active in the community, providing young people with an opportunity to enrich lives by engaging in activities including:
• Breast cancer awareness campaign
• Diabetes awareness education and prevention
• Lions Reading Action Programme
• Sponsoring educational opportunities for needy children
• Visiting children and the elderly in hospitals and homes
• Raising funds for youth, educational and community projects
• Environmental Preservation and Awareness
• Assisting in times of natural disaster
• Feeding the homeless and providing food hampers to shut-ins
Their anniversary programme unfolded on Saturday, April 1 with a breakfast feeding of the elderly and homeless at the St. Lucy’s Home and Cornerstone Halfway House followed by a motivational talk by the General Manager of The Landings Resort.
Other activities include a fundraising movie night on the Freewinds last Sunday and a fun day in the south on April 22 when they will join with the Hewanorra Plains Leo Club of Vieux Fort.
Leo Advisor Lion Nial Beaton, on congratulating them on their anniversary, said that “achieving such a milestone in an era when organizations are finding it difficult to attract young people to serve is a feat.”
As an integral part of the Lions International network, Leos also have their own network of more than 5,700 Leo Clubs in approximately 140 nations and have been growing stronger for the past 60 years.
The objective of the Leo movement is “To provide the youth of the world with an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively, as responsible members of the local, national and international community”.
The Motto is:
Leadership -– Develop skills as a project organizer, time manager and team leader.
Experience –- Learn how teamwork, cooperation and collaboration can bring exciting changes to your community and the world.
Opportunity – Make friends and feel the rewards of community service.
If you are between the ages of 18 and 30 and looking to help people and have fun, then you have found the right club. Attend meetings on the first Saturday of the month at the Lion’s Den, Sans Souci, Castries from 3:00 p.m. We are always looking for new members.
The LEO Club is a great experience that you’ll never forget!