Hospice Niagara has been a staple service in Niagara for over 30 years. Hospice palliative care aims to relieve suffering, provide comfort and improve quality of life for people living with a life-limiting illness as well as their caregivers, family and friends. They provide care, compassion and dignity throughout a person’s illness and at end of life. They also support people in grief, after a death. The Port Dalhousie Lions Club is proud to be able to donate $1,000 to support this important organization in Niagara.

The unhoused population of St. Catharines has unfortunately grown, and the need to provide temporary shelters, food programs, clothing, and mental health and addition supports continues to grow with it. Start Me Up Niagara is on the front lines of that work in Niagara, providing programs and shelter to support this vulnerable population when they need it most. Every year, Start Me Up Niagara runs a special fundraising program with the Coldest Night of the Year walk. This year, the Port Dalhousie Lions Club is proud to be a supporting sponsor with our donation of $2,000 to support this important cause. If you would like to get involved or register to walk as an individual or team, please visit https://cnoy.org and register today.

Camp Dorset is a unique resort that provides camp experiences to patients who require dialysis treatments while they are away and their families. Located in Dorset, Ontario, this incredible camp is supported by Ontario’s Lions Clubs. The medical centre at Camp Dorset is the hub of their services, and unfortunately over time, it has fallen in need of replacement. In 2023, the District A2 Governor Lion Tom McLarty has made it his mission to help support the important drive to rebuild the medical centre. The Port Dalhousie Lions Club is proud to provide a donation for this important cause of $500

In Niagara, the Salvation Army helps provide supports in housing, food security, and social services. The Port Dalhousie Lions Club has supported their Christmas drive with a donation of $500.

The Niagara Peninsula Children’s Foundation raises funds and supports organizations across Niagara who’s purpose is to improve the lives of children with special needs. The Port Dalhousie Lions Club has provided a donation of $1000 to support this important cause.

The Port Dalhousie Lions Club works actively to support our local neighbours throughout the year. Every year we take the opportunity to support the local churches in Port Dalhousie who provide other much needed supports and programs for our local residents. The Lions Club has provided a donation of $500 each to both Star of the Sea Catholic Church and St. John’s Anglican Church in Port Dalhousie.

Project Smile Niagara are a group of Niagara women who make quilts for children with life threatening diseases. Their beautiful handiwork is shown below, and these quilts are made with love and provided at no cost to children who need a “hug” while they fight their health battle. The Port Dalhousie Lions Club is thrilled to be able to support this important cause with a $500 donation.

Niagara Sexual Assault Centre is a non-profit organization that responds to the needs of survivors of sexual violence and through public education increases understanding and awareness of sexual assault related issues. Unfortunately, their services are critical in Niagara, and the Port Dalhousie Lions Club is happy to be able to provide a $500 donation to support their important programs.

Every year in October, almost 200 men and male identifying allies join together to Walk A Mile In Her Shoes in support of Gillian’s Place. This year, our member Lion Tim once again represented our club in our support, strapping on high heels and walking with the Stiletto Stallions. The Port Dalhousie Lions Club was proud to donate $2,000 to support Gillian’s Place and the important work they do supporting the victims of gender based and intimate partner violence in our community. Overall, Lion Tim’s team was able to raise almost $5,000 for this cause, and Gillian’s Place raised $120,000 through this event. (You might also recognize some of our Spaghetti Night volunteers who walked alongside Lion Tim and Marty Mako at the Pen Centre!)

One of our members brought the needs of Lennon Ferri to the attention of the Port Dalhousie Lions Club. Lennon is a soon-to-be-five-year-old was born with Werdnig-Hoffmann’s spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare form of motor neuron disease. There are four types of SMA and Werdnig-Hoffmann disease, also known as SMA1, is the most severe form of the disorder with muscle weakness evident at birth or within the first few months of life. To help to accommodate Lennon’s needs, her grandmother started a fundraiser to purchase a wheelchair accessible van. The Port Dalhousie Lions Club were thrilled to be able to donate $2,000 to this great cause, and Lennon is now able to get around in her new wheelchair accessible vehicle! You can learn more about Lennon and this initiative at: https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news/st-catharines-grandma-raising-awareness-for-grandchild-with-rare-disease/article_0ecfbfc7-bfc3-5d6f-ab70-13c3e318f55c.html