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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2016-01-27, Page 22 News Record • Wednesday, January 27, 2016 Lions and Victim Services and bears... oh my! Valerie Gillies Clinton News Record Victim Services of Huron County's Coordinator of Ser- vice Kim Statia was invited as a special guest to the Jan- uary 21 meeting of the Londesborough & District Lions club at the Londesbor- ough Hall. Statia gave a brief talk as to what the Victim Services of Huron County do and was presented with the stuffed animals that had been gathered by the Londesborough Lions. The Londesborough United Church Women's group caters the meal at the monthly meetings, except for the Christmas meeting, which the Lions and the spouses prepare themselves. Following the meal, Lions Past President Ralph deWeerd explained to Statia that the Mitchell Lions Club had challenged the Londes- borough Lions Club in 2015 to gather as many stuffed bears as the number of years that the club had been in existence and to donate them for use by Victim Ser- vices of Huron County. The Londesborough & District Lions Club was in their 38th year. The stuffed toys were collected at the 2015 Christ- mas meeting on December 17, as everyone in attend- ance was to bring a teddy bear as a donation to the meeting. They came very close to reaching that goal. Statia was given the oppor- tunity to explain what Victim Valerie Gillies Photos Clinton News Record The Londesborough Lions were challenged to collect as many bears as the years their club has existed to donate to Victim Services of Huron County. They came very close and made the donation on January 21. Services of Huron County is and does. The organization is made of up volunteers who undergo 40-50 hours of spe- cialized training to enable them to respond to people in need in times of crisis. Statia stated, "I am astounded by how much the volunteers do." They respond to calls that come into emergency services, meeting people in the midst of tragic circumstances. The volun- teers sit with the victims as they wait for family members to arrive or to connect with the services needed. The emergency could be an acci- dent, a fire or any of a number of situations where people who are victims and their The teddy bears donated to Victim Services of Huron County by the Londesborough District Lions filled three bags. The huggable stuffies will be given to children to help them cope as Victim Services volunteers respond to Huron County residents experiencing a crisis. Londesborough Lion Luke Bolinger (left) helps hold bags as Lions Past President Ralph deWeerd (right) and Victim Services Coordinator of Services Kim Statia pack the bears for their trip to the office for future distribution. families need immediate help to cope and find the services they need. The volunteers stay with the victims and their families for as long as they are needed, freeing up emer- gency responders to answer further calls. When young children are among those in crisis, they are given a stuffed animal to hold and keep, to help them through the trauma. Statia concluded by enthusiastically relating, "It is such a blessing to be a part of ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! DEADLINES Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows: ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm Clinton e Nws Record . li.rst•onn 'wr roccir i.cnm POSTMEDIA OFFICE HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm CLOSED TUESDAYS 53 Albert St, S Clinton PH! 519-4132-a443 Victim Services." The stuffed animals were presented to Statia by Lions President Ron Kassies and Past President Ralph deWeerds to be given to chil- dren by volunteer responders of Victim Services of Huron County. As the toys were being packed for transport, it was made known that one of the bears had been made by the mother of a Londesbor- ough Lions member. He requested that his mother, who has been making bears for family members and for donations, give her 119th bear to the Victim Services collec- tion. She honoured his request. The Londesborough & Dis- trict Lions invite all to attend upcoming events at the Londesborough Hall. On Feb- ruary 9 will be Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper from 5-7 p.m. February 13 will be the Pan- cake Breakfast that is part of the Snowarama fundraiser. Well, Well, Well... ,r Are you a HEALTH & WELLNESS PROFESSIONAL? Want to increase your business? CONTACT YOUR SALES REP TODAY Dawn Johnston r Clinton News Record 519-482-3443 djohnston@postmedia.com Nancy deGans Seaforth Huron Expositor 519-527-0240 ndegans@postmedia.com We are working on a SPECIAL FEATURE for Health & Wellness Professionals