About Us
Markham Lions are a dedicated group of men and women who, over the years, have voluntarily raised over 1.5 million dollars to support a variety of community projects for the benefit of all.
The Lions motto "We Serve" is exemplified by the many projects relating to sight and hearing; such as our support for "Seeing-Eye" dogs and "Hearing-Ear" dogs along with Vision & Hearing Screening of kindergarten students in Markham schools.
The Charter night was on November 30, 1943, at St. Andrews United Church with 39 Lions present and 162 guests. The first president, John Cattanach and the first slate of officers were installed. Membership grew in the 1970's and 1980's to over 80 members and today in 2012, membership stands at 50 members.
Originally named the Markham-Unionville Lions Club until 1977 when Markham sponsored the Unionville Lions Club as a separate club.
Our first service project was sponsoring the High School Air Cadet Corps and this continues today with our sponsorship of the public speaking contestants from the Air Cadet Corps of Markham.
Over the year, major projects have included purchasing equipment for the Markham Stouffville Hospital, the Markham Centennial Pool, Thomson Court Senior Apartments, Markhaven Seniors Home, Morgan Park Pool, Markham Museum, Participation House, York Regional Police Station Community Room, and the Lions Foundation of Canada Sir James Dunn Dog Guide Training Centre in Oakville.
A strong sense of Community spirit and comradeship is prevalent among the Lions with everyone working to make each project a success.
Fund Raisers
The Markham Lions for many years have raised funds for Markham through several events. These funds are then given to citizens or organizations in Markham to support their activities. This is a list of the major fund raising events sponsored by the Markham Lions:
► Markham Lions Food Booth at Markham Fair: Every Lion in the organization, their spouses, children and sometimes grandchildren are involved in this major event. Occurring in the weekend before Thanksgiving weekend, this activity entails feeding the 40,000 + visitors to the Markham Fair over a four day period. The menu consists of hamburgers, Lionburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and soft drinks. This is a hectic activity that is very organized and well managed after over 60 years of operation.
► Markham Museum Food Booth
► Heritage Day and Applefest
► Cruise Draw Tickets
► Markham Lions Spring Plant Sale and Delivery: Beginning in early April, the Markham Lions members begin their house to house sale of 11 different bedding plants such as petunias and impatience as well as 6 different hanging flower baskets. These plants are then delivered in late May for planting. The reception by the public has been exceptional and is one of the major means of gaining exposure to the Markham citizens for the work that we do in the community.
► Victoria Day and Canada Day Fireworks Sales: Every Victoria Day weekend and Canada Day weekend, the Markham Lions sell a wide assortment of fireworks at the Markham Village Community Centre parking lot.
► Turkey Roll
Service Activities
The motto of every Lion is simply "We Serve". The Markham Lions are dedicated to serving our Markham community and the larger community throughout the world. Through various fund raising events and projects, the Markham Lions are able to provide funds to worthy projects as well as provide services in a non-monetary way. The following lists many of the Markham Lions service activities and major projects.
► Eye-sight Projects: This program allows people to donate their used eyeglasses so that people in developing countries can be fitted with a pair of eyeglasses. For drop off locations, please go to: Eye-Glass Recycling Collection Stations (as of April 20, 2023)
- Lions Vision Screening for Markham kindergarten children every year.
- Collect used eye-glasses for Third-World countries
- Support Lions CNIB Camp Joseph
- Major contributor to Lions International SightFirst projects to eradicate blindness throughout the world.
- Transport eyes to Eye Bank
- Support ophthalmology research, glaucoma research and diabetes awareness
► Markham Museum:
- Founding Member Organization
- Sponsored local archival project
- Markham Lions Club memorabilia room
- Heritage day & Applefest participant
- Provided major assistance in relocation of heritage church to Museum grounds
- Constructed band shell & outdoor shelter
- Provide parking attendants and cashiers for special days
► Markham Stouffville Hospital
- Contributed over $185,000 to the hospital
- Purchased Hearing Centre equipment
- Purchased colonoscopes
- Organize annual Hip Hip Hooray BBQ
- Participate in annual Hospital Gala
- Display & promote organ donor program
► Youth Activities
- Lions Effective Speaking Program
- Lions Vision Screening for kindergarten children
- Hearing Screening at local schools
- Lions Quest Life Skills Programs in schools
- Lions Peace Poster contest
- Support Girl Guides
- Support Youth Sports (i.e., sponsor minor hockey team etc.)
- Support youth educational tours
- Air Cadets-Community Service award
- Scholarships-Markham District and Brother Andre High Schools
► York Regional Police
- Furnished & equipped Police Station Community Room
- Furnished & decorated Police Station Victims ' Room
- Support York Region Community Safety Village
► Seniors Residences
- Major contributor to Markhaven new building project ( $50,000 )
- Annual support er of Markhaven's Grandma's Run fundraiser
- Contributed to mini-bus for Markhaven
- Contributed to the Covered Entrance Way at Thomson Court Sr. Apts.
- Installed cable TV at Thomson Court
► Other Community Service Projects
- Spearheaded rebuilding of Morgan Park outdoor swimming pool
- Purchase d major equipment for Markham Centennial indoor pool
- Purchased car for C.N.I.B.
- Purchased a van for Participation House
- Markham Fair- constructed Welcome Booth
- Town of Markham -sponsored Accessibility Directory
- Town of Markham -Maintain Mount Joy Park
- Canadian Diabetes Association- Support Camp Huronda
- Support Evergreen Hospice
- Annual Lawn Bowling trophy
- Float in annual Santa Claus parade
- Assist with Salvation Army Christmas Kettles
- Community BBQs for schools & seniors
- Assist needy individuals & families
- Established Lions Friendship Arch
► Canvass for Salvation Army
► Support Canadian Lung Association Tulip Sale
► Adopted Mount Joy Park
► Support Markham individuals in need
Lions Clubs International Projects
Social Activities
► Dinner Meetings: third Thursday of each month, September through June
► Spouses Appreciation Nights
► Charter Anniversary Celebrations
► Card Nights
► Conventions
► Christmas Reception
► July 1st Family Picnic
► Annual Golf Tournament
► Dinner Theatre Night