NA Lion’s Club all set for its 48th Anniversary

Oct 19, 2009 News

NEW AMSTERDAM, BERBICE – The New Amsterdam Lion’s Club is set to usher in its 48th Anniversary. The President, Lion Leila Clarke-Daniels, described the journey as rewarding.

The body was chartered on October 23, 1961, and was primarily a male club. The first set of women – seven were subsequently admitted between 1992 and 1993.

Lion Glenn Noter MJF handing over equipment to the Matron of the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Lion Edward Ted Loquan served as the first President in 1961. The first female President was Mary Lindie. She was elected to serve for the 1997/1998 fiscal year and was also the first woman in Berbice to hold the position of Zone and Region Chairman in the organisation.

Lion Clarke-Daniels spoke of the growing demand for help on a daily basis in today’s economic situation.

This, she said, makes the task of raising funds even more challenging. The proceeds are necessary in order for them to execute their ‘We Serve’ Motto.

Secretary Michelle Baird indicated that a week of activities has been identified in honour of the milestone. A Prayer Breakfast was held yesterday Sunday at the New Amsterdam Lion’s Den. Today Monday an eye clinic is scheduled at the den. For today only, eye testing and the cost of spectacles would total $500.

On Tuesday, there would be free blood pressure testing from 09:00 hours at Main and New Streets in New Amsterdam .

The activities continue on Wednesday with a luncheon for 100 senior citizens.

These persons are to be selected from across East Berbice /Corentyne. The curtain comes down on Friday with the Charter Night event. Dr. Faith Harding is expected to deliver the feature address at the function which would he held at the New Amsterdam Lion’s Den.

Ms. Baird indicated that the club over the past few months has intensified its charitable trust. In August, 18 students received uniforms and educational kits.

In September, the District Governor of Sixty ‘A’ who has responsibility for Trinidad and Tobago , Guyana and Suriname, Lion Glenn Noter MJF, paid courtesy calls on all of the Lion’s Clubs in the Berbice area.

The purpose of the trip was to assess the groups on their performance.

During the visit to the Ancient County, he made a stop at the New Amsterdam Town Council where he met with the Deputy Mayor Hyacinth James.

Lion, Glenn Noter MJF was also a part of the team to hand over some blood pressure kits to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Matron of the New Amsterdam Hospital, Annetta Lyken, in expressing gratitude, touched on the support the institution has been receiving from the New Amsterdam Lion’s Club over the years.

She noted that the donation would strengthen the resources of the hospital so that it could better serve the club since the medical outreach programmes are collaborative efforts between these two groups.

At the beginning of the new academic year, the New Amsterdam Lion’s Club embarked on a one-year school-feeding programme. The drive got started with St. Aloysius Primary in New Amsterdam and 60 students derived benefits. The venture would move on to Edinburgh Primary School in a few days. Each month a different institution would be targeted until all the schools within the New Amsterdam catchment area are covered.

The next stop would be at the All Saints Primary, followed by the New Amsterdam Primary, St. Therese’s, Trinity Street Primary and Overwinning. This drive is to be completed with a $360,000 price tag attached.

The New Amsterdam Lion’s Club operates under the principle that service has no boundaries.

There is also an ongoing Eye Clinic, a signature project, which has been in existence for almost two decades. This service is offered every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 09:00 to 15:00 hours at the Lion’s Den.

On those days, the range of service includes free eye tests, distribution of glasses, and repair of glasses, sharing of handouts and when necessary referrals are done. An average 60 people benefit from the eye clinic on a monthly basis. The organisation has an active membership of 21 and spans Mara to New Amsterdam including West Canje.