Last financial year, the Lions Club of Richmond donated over $300,000 (money and goods) to a diverse range of organisations to assist many thousands of people. What a year!
This incredible outcome has only been possible due to
- The 40 members and volunteers who contribute – it is estimated – some 1,500 hours a month to the operation of the OP Shop and associated activities.
- The wonderful people who continue to donate items to the Op Shop.
- The customers who keep coming back (some 300 each time we are open)
- and a very big thanks and an acknowledgement to our President and Op Shop Manager Di Goldsworthy who has maintained this role for 10 years.
The Club has three main projects
Firstly Youth
The Lions Club of Richmond Youth Engagement Small Grants Scheme (administered by the Wyatt Trust) received $40,000. The small grants distributed assisted hundreds of students (as well schools and parents).
More information on this Scheme can be found on our website.
Secondly, Medical – The Club donated
$10,000 to the Mary Potter Foundation.
$10,000 to Riding for the Disabled.
$60,000 to the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute for 6 x $10,000 post-graduate research scholarships (2 a year for 3 years).
Thirdly, Lions Foundations
$40,000 donated to Lions Assistance Dogs for a new car
$39,000 for the purchase of sheep pellets for farmers on Eyre Peninsula
$10,000 to Lions Disaster Appeal
Small Donations
In addition to these three main projects small grants of between $500 and $1,500 were made to some 40 organisations. Examples include West Beach Surf Lifesaving Club (a new surf ski), Flinders Foundation Neonatal Unit, and Beyond Blue.
Donation of Goods
In addition to these money donations, a range of organisations were given goods. (Some $30,000 worth across the year.
One example is the Sister Janet Mead Adelaide Day Centre for the Homeless. Clothing, furniture, kitchen cooking items, blankets, sleeping bags (many thousands of dollars worth). A team of women hand-knit rectangles, which are then sewn together and also donated to the Day Centre.
Catherine House was given 7 hand made quilts.
Other Activities
In addition to the above the Club also collects
- Mobile phones for DV Safe Phone Scheme
- Reading glasses for the Lions
- Medical items such as crutches, walkers, shower chairs, etc which are sent to an African Hospital
- Aluminium ring pulls from cans for another charity
The Environment
The Club endeavours to minimise waste and reduce the impact on the environment by collecting each year, and redirecting from landfill:
- 4 tonnes of e-waste
- Over 30 tonnes of metal
- 21 tonnes of paper, cardboard
- Up to 4 tonnes of clothing