The new Lions Club of Otaki received its Charter on Friday 19 September at a special event held at Tatum Park. A total of 86 guests including Mayor Ross Church and Mayoress Vicki McCarthy and representatives of Lion organisations stretching from Whangarei to Ashburton were entertained by the Otaki primary school Kapa Haka group. The school will be one of the first recipients of a fundraising drive by the new club to support the Duffy Books in Homes Scheme.
A total of 28 new Lions were inducted into the Lions family by District Governor, Keith Kenderdine, with Don Howden as the inaugural Club President.
“At Otaki Lions, we have made a conscious decision that, in the short to medium term, our energy will be focussed on our local community in areas where we see genuine need with an emphasis on family, children and youth,” said President Don Howden.
Anyone interested in knowing more about the new Lions Club can telephone Don Howden at 364 8871 or Christine Newman at 364 5268, the Club’s Membership Chair, or visit the Club’s website “lionsclubs.org.nz”, then search Otaki.