Lions Club of Winnipeg

In 1925, the Lions Club of Winnipeg adopted care of the blind after Helen Keller asked the Lions to become the Knights for the Blind. The following are some of the many activities over the next 84 years:

In 1931-32, a large lodge was built at Whitemouth for Boys Work. In 1935, Lions spent $6000.00 for machinery at the Blind Institute at Sherburn and Portage Ave. On April 1, 1941, the Lions Club f

or the Blind opened at 419 Cumberland Ave. In 1941, the Lions started the perennial Rose Day in aid of various community projects. Since April 1942, the club has been sponsoring the Jim Whitecross Air Cadet Squadron on an annual basis. Over 100 girls and boys aged 12-17 are provided with weekly activities and training. On August 25,1948, the Lions Residence for the Blind opened at Portage and Sherburn Ave. On May 8, 1959, the first glaucoma clinic in Canada was held with 170 cases detected and on Nov. 12, 1959 the Lions and ladies packaged 10,000 pairs of glasses that were sent to India and Pakistan. On Feb. 4, 1960 the Lion Newspaper Bingo gave the club $100,000.00 which was the largest single amount given to charity by any service club. On June 3, 1971, the South Tower was completed at Lions Manor. In 1973, the club donated $6000.00 to furnish 10 rooms at Camp Manitou. The year 1973 saw the first Lions Telethon that lasted for several very successful years. In 1975, the club donated $5000.00 towards a pool and change rooms at Camp Manitou. The Lions Club of Winnipeg Housing Centres opened its first seniors residence, Lions Manor, in 1966. There are now 4 buildings housing 704 residents and employs 229 staff. Facilities range from independent living to personal care. In 2020, while the club has not been able to meet since September due to Covid restrictions, we have continued to support many organizations in need of assistance, including Lions Foundation of Manitoba and Northwest Ontario, Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, Jim Whitecross Air Cadet Squadron, Lions Place and Lions Manor residents, 1 Just City and Agape Table. The Lions Club of Winnipeg will celebrate 100 years of service to the community with a dinner at the Hotel Fort Garry on Saturday, November 20, 2021.