November 21,2010/-KINGSTON, ON  “We serve” – that’s the motto that Lions Club members live by.  The Lions of District A3 have gone above and beyond in their service to support health care for our community.  At their Cabinet meeting yesterday, Past District Governor Bill Lewis announced a $193,000 gift to University Hospitals Kingston Foundation.

“We are very proud to support the redevelopment of Kingston hospitals, and proud that so many of our clubs in District A3 pulled together as a team to raise these funds.  We are very pleased too that a portion of the money will be used to purchase much needed eye care equipment.” 

The gift is the result of a year-long district fundraising campaign by the Lions District A3 combined with a $78,000 grant obtained by District A3 from the Lions Club International Foundation.  A portion of the grant will support the purchase of an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) unit to meet increased patient demand for care in the Ophthalmology Clinic at Hotel Dieu.

Senior leaders from Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital and Providence Care all attended the cheque presentation ceremony to express their thanks.

Elizabeth Bardon, Chief of Public Relations & Community Engagement at Hotel Dieu Hospital said, “Your hard work and commitment to improving our communities is a wonderful example and an inspiration to us all.  The Lions are renowned for their long-time interest in projects that support sight conservation. We at Hotel Dieu Hospital are honoured and grateful to know that our patients in the Ophthalmology clinics will benefit from your wonderful gift.”

Together We Can chair Ian Wilson thanked the Lions of District A3 and told the gathering about their recent honour from the southeastern Ontario chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. “We are so lucky to have you as our partners in philanthropy.  Lions clubs work so hard in their communities and District A3 is so deserving of the 2010 Outstanding Philanthropic Organization award from AFP.”

The Lions’ motto “We Serve” is a focal part of Lions Club programs, which include sight, hearing and speech conservation, diabetes awareness, youth outreach, international relations, and environmental issues.  The Lions have a particular interest in helping the people of the communities they live in, with Kingston being no exception, as this is the second district-wide fundraising initiative in support of Kingston’s hospitals. 

The $70-million Together We Can campaign is the largest and most important health care fundraising initiative in the history of Southeastern Ontario. Led by the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, the joint fundraising arm for Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital and Providence Care; the campaign will raise money for the redevelopment of our hospitals, the purchasing of equipment and the funding of medical research and staff education. To find out more, go online to www.kingstonhospitalsfoundation.ca.