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Ancaster Lions and the Soroptimist donate to McMaster Children’s Hospital SIDAF and the Ancaster Lions donate to McMaster Children’s Hospital
A very heartwarming presentation by the Ancaster Lions Club and the Soroptimist International of Dundas-Ancaster-Flamborough was made to Fiona Campbell of the Technology Access Clinic, McMaster Children’s Hospital.
The money donated is to assist with the outright purchase of speech generating software for a lady named Jennifer in Hamilton who is unable to speak due to a rare, degenerative condition called Central Nervous System Vasculitus; Jen has lost her ability to speak and she also uses a wheelchair, as she can no longer walk. This software is her only means of communication with the outside world and in particular with her daughter who is also challenged with developmental delay.
Fiona made a wonderful presentation, which included a short video of the lady who now has the software to keep instead of it just being leased annually. In the video it shows Jennifer typing out a message of thanks to us all and in turn her computer then spoke the words for her.
The lease on this expensive equipment expires in February, but the Provincial Government (Ministry of Health) offers an 89% subsidy on its renewal through a program called the Assisted Devices Program (ADP). That leaves a one-year lease renewal is $573.31, or alternatively the equipment could be purchased for $1,368.93. Jennifer cannot provide this money herself, because she is unable to work, and her husband is her full-time caregiver.
The Ancaster Lions Club and Soroptimist International of Dundas-Ancaster-Flamborough shared the cost of the purchase price.
Ancaster Lions and SoroptimistLions Clubs Donate towards King George School Daily Snack Program
One in five children in Hamilton, Ontario lives in poverty. Too often these children go to school Hungry and are not provided with a packed lunch. Schools have identified that the effects of hunger increases behavioral difficulties, social and behavioral difficulties, higher rate of absences from school and a decreased in academic success.
Although King George School runs a breakfast program, most of the 310 students are hungry again by mid day and the school applied for a government grant to provide a daily snack program. Unfortunately this was turned down when the government change the rules, obviously believing that the money would be better spent on other projects.
Whilst looking for a local cause to donate money too, we came across King George School trying very unsuccessfully to raise money for their daily snack program. Due to the amount of money required we realized that our Club would be unable to raise all of the money without help from other local Lion Clubs. We arranged for the school to give us a presentation at one of our Lions area meetings which proved to be very informative as well as moving and it gave all of the Lion Clubs present something to think about and discuss at their next local meeting. This resulted in six local Lions Clubs donating just under $11,000.00 towards the daily snack program at King George School in Hamilton on Tuesday Night (May 19, 2009) at Copetown Lions Club.
Ancaster Lions present cheque to past and present Principals of King George School.
