Brighton youth have once again stepped up to help people with disabilities who are in need of a dog guide.
The Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides is described as a national charity with a mission to empower Canadians with disabilities to navigate their world with confidence and independence by providing dog guides at no cost to qualified applicants.
The foundation has canine vision, autism assistance, hearing, service, seizure response, and diabetic alert dog guides, in addition to facility support dogs – these guides are for professional agencies helping people in traumatic situations, with dogs trained to provide on-scene support for the most vulnerable in times of heightened need.
Meanwhile, it costs about $35,000 to breed, train and place each dog, and the foundation receives no government funding.
In other words, the foundation relies on fundraisers, donors and supporters like the Brighton Leos, which is a youth division of the Lions.
Representative and Lion Janet Marissen tells us more.
“Every year, they come up with ideas of ways to raise funds,” adds Marissen, who goes on to tell us about one of the more well-known and popular Leo fundraisers.
Over the years, local youth have repeatedly volunteered their time, wrapping and selling hundreds of these holiday-inspired cat and dog gifts annually.
Marissen was one of a number of representatives who recently made the trek to East Northumberland Secondary School (ENSS) in Brighton to celebrate the Leos’ efforts – and pick up a special gift in the form of a $10,000 cheque.
Leo president and Grade 11 student Gwen West says the $10,000 donation is in support of the foundation’s “Difference” campaign and tells us why youth continue to be inspired to help out.
And they’re all dog lovers.
Marissen tells us these monies raised are going to go a long way for a special cause.
Fundraising efforts are ongoing to help build the new $50-million dog guide training school, with more information on the campaign available online.
As reported earlier, the Leos had previously pledged to raise $5,000 to help out, making the ENSS chapter one of only two Leo clubs across the nation offering this level of support.
The ENSS Leos chapter was initially formed back in 2012.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
