Roar along, it’s a birthday bash

By Glen Atwell
THE entire Pakenham community is invited to an important birthday party on Sunday.
The Pakenham Lions Club will celebrate its 30th birthday at the Pakenham Bowls Club.
Starting at midday, the birthday bash will feature door prizes, raffles and plenty of information and activities to help spread the Lions’ message.
The day will be headlined by the induction of the club’s two newest members, Umberto and Tina Tiberi.
Pakenham Lions president Min Cooper said the club had continued to improve the Pakenham community in a variety of ways.
“We are a small Lions Club, with only seven active members and two affiliate members, but we are still doing our best to keep helping Pakenham,” she said.
Ms Cooper said the club was starting a membership drive after the birthday celebration.
“We have turned 30 years old, so we are aiming for 30 members by next year,” she said.
Much of the Pakenham Lions Club work lies in fundraising, and Ms Cooper and her members work hard collecting and donating money to various charities.
“We think Pakenham is a special place and believe if we all help out, we can keep it that way,” she said.
The club puts 90 per cent of the money it collects into local charities and fundraisers. The other 10 per cent is sent to an international disaster relief fund set up by Lions International.
After five and a half years with the Lions, Ms Cooper has a number of ‘to do’ items on the Lions Club agenda.
“We are starting a big recycling campaign very soon,” she said.
“Did you know that the ringpulls from soft drink cans are full of titanium and can be recycled into artificial limbs and sent to those in need?” Ms Cooper asked.
Ms Cooper also pointed out that 330,000 recycled corks generate enough money to buy a new wheelchair.
“It all adds up and it all helps,” she said.
The Pakenham Lions Club holds regular meetings and welcomes anyone interested in creating new friendships and helping out in the local community.
For more information, phone Min Cooper on 5942 6335.