CELEBRATE LIONS INTERNATIONAL WEEK IN SASKATCHEWAN

The Province is designating January 31st to February 6th, 2005 as Lions International Week in Saskatchewan.

"The Lions Club International is one of the world's largest service club organizations and we want to celebrate the great contribution the club's volunteers make here in the province," Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Joan Beatty said. "Our communities and the individuals in them, particularly our youth, have significantly benefited from the efforts and dedication of Lions Club volunteers."

Lions clubs aid the blind and visually impaired, and make a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world. Lions Club International, founded in 1917, has 1.4 million members in more than 180 countries.

"Volunteers are an essential part of our communities and economy," Beatty said. "These dedicated Lions members volunteer their time to humanitarian causes, serving those in need whether in their own community or half-way around the world."

Lions Club International pledged $5 million to Tsunami victims in South Asia for long-term construction of homes, schools and child welfare centres for orphans. Thousands of Lion members in the affected areas responded immediately to the needs of people effected by the disaster, helping organize relief and ensuring that people got vital relief supplies.

By conducting service projects and raising funds, Lions strive to help those in need. Lion Club members give their time, skills and resources to raise funds for charitable giving.

Individual clubs sponsor free eye screening programs using mobile eye clinics. Lions collect and recycle eyeglasses for distribution in developing countries and treat millions to prevent blindness. Other projects include drug abuse prevention awareness in high schools, diabetes awareness, and other programs specific to individual clubs.

Lions youth outreach programs challenge young people to learn, achieve and serve by focusing on volunteerism and other opportunities for healthy development. Each year, thousands of young people, ages 15-21, learn about other cultures while staying with Lions host families in countries around the world.

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For More Information, Contact:

Janet Peters Culture, Youth and Recreation Regina Phone: (306) 787-4967	Ron Belke Co-chair, Saskatchewan Lions Centennial Committee Saskatoon Phone: (306) 373-1911
John Boersma Co-chair, Saskatchewan Lions Centennial Committee Saskatoon Phone: (306) 652-1022