West Hill - Highland Creek Lions Club
The West Hill - Highland Creek Lions Club is a fraternal community service organization under the charter of Lions Club International serving the West Hill and Highland Creek regions of Toronto, Canada.
History
On November 3, 1944 the club received its charter and officially became the "Lions Club of West Hill-Highland Creek" under the leadership of President Clifford Hodgkinson and with a membership of forty-three men.
The Lions Club held its first carnival in August of 1945. Thousands of dollars poured in at this annual event which enabled the club to finance its work in the community. The carnival ran successfully for seventeen years and in 1962 the club's chief source of income became a Monday night bingo tournament. The major objective of the club at this point in time was the establishment of a recreation center.
Eventually, a five acre piece of property suitable for a park and community center was found at the corner of Manse Road and Lawrence Avenue. Former owner Betha Chapman - a Heron descendant, was very interested in the Lions' plans and agreed to sell the property for a very modest price and made a personal donation as well.
The park was officially opened in September 1947 and the community center opened its doors in June of 1955. The Lions Club eventually deeded the parcel of land known as Heron Park to the then Scarborough Township who agreed to further develop the land, adding a swimming pool, tennis courts and roofing the ice rink.
The Lions supported and actively sponsored many projects when social assistance was not available to the public. These included supporting local hockey and baseball teams, bursaries to four local high schools, local senior groups, two local hospitals, Christmas baskets for the needy, support for kidney and diabetes associations, summer camp for underprivileged children, and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.
In 1987 the once all male club now allowed women into the organization. The West Hill-Highland Creek Lions Club was the very first fraternal club in Toronto to induct women and the fourth in all of Ontario.
In December 2001 The New Heron Park Community Center was officially opened and became the new home for the West Hill-Highland Creek Lions Club.
Current activities
The club is deeply involved with many organizations. Locally they support the four high schools, sponsor a baseball team and support two women's shelters and the West Hill Community Services. The Lions also support the CNIB, Canadian Diabetes, Lions C.N.E. Pee Wee baseball, summer camps for children with needs, and the Crohns & Colitis Foundation of Canada. A children's Christmas fun fair is held annually as well as two craft sales. The Lions are also involved in the annual Heritage Day celebrations.
In 2005 part of the land donated to the City was used to build a new community library. The Lions contribution to this was recognized in the opening ceremony by then city councillor Gay Cowbourne.
In 2007 the club began a new phase of community outreach by lending its support to new community initiatives and by sponsoring a community bonspiel.