Lions Foundation of Canada / Dog Guides
| Visit the Foundation Website | Visit the Memorial Forest Website |
District A15 LFC Chairperson Lion Allanah Kelly -> mailto:lfc.obfuscated.a15lions@org
[Letter from Lion Deb Cserhalmi]
Hello Fellow Lions,
My name is Deb Cserhalmi and I am on the fundraising team for the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides (LFCDG). As many of you know the construction of the new building has been put on hold until we raise $5 million dollars. An agreement with the bank was changed recently and the loan will not be coming in until later in the project. Originally it was to kick in once the building was 50% completed, which it is now, but now the money will be delayed until later in the project.
So a new idea is in the works. We are asking each club in their district to donate at least $250 to The Difference campaign. So far we have almost 50% of clubs in A15 that have donated. I sincerely appreciate all clubs that have given. The colour of the plaque depends on the percentage of clubs in the district that have donated: 25% bronze, 50% silver, and 75% gold. I know we can reach the gold because we are A15, the best District in Canada!
The staff at Dog Guides are working hard to look every nook and cranny to find more funding. They are approaching foundations, governments, individuals, and so forth. If you wish to support the cause as an individual, please consider donating to our club’s fundraising page at Floradale Friends of DogGuides Difference Campaign
This is an urgent appeal. We have sold the old school and will need to vacate by July 2026. A three month delay will make it a tough turn around. The thought of having to shutter the doors breaks my heart. LFCDG has been called the crown jewel of the Canadian Lions association. They have changed so many lives over the years. It's my personal passion and I have met so many selfless people over the years. Imagine fostering a puppy for a year only to give it back because it has a greater purpose in life. Those who receive these wonderful gifts may never realize the heartache, yet pride puppy raisers have watched the puppies, now dogs, leave with their new partners.
If you have any questions or ideas on how to raise more funds (or if you know a millionaire or celebrity) don't hesitate to contact me.
For those clubs who have pledged money over instalments it would be greatly appreciated if you could get the funds in sooner if possible.
If the bank sees cash flowing in it may help. Please direct your donation to The Difference campaign.
If paying by credit card please use this link On-line Donations.
By cheque make the cheque payable to
152 Wilson Street,
Oakville, ON L6K 0G6
Please make sure it is directed to The Difference Campaign either in a letter or on the cheque.
Thank you for all you have done and all you will continue to do to support Dog Guides.
Here are a couple of links to provide more information:
Fall 2022 Grad Ceremony Video
It was a special evening, as we celebrated more than 40 Graduates at our Fall Virtual 2022 Graduation, with matches in every one of our 7 programs. For anyone who was not able to attend, or who would like to watch it again, you can find it here: Graduation Video
We will be holding our next Graduation in December as we continue to match clients and dogs, empowering them to live their lives on their terms, with a Dog Guide at their side! Look out for the date and time of the December graduation ceremony in the coming months.
Thank you to everyone who made this celebration a reality, including our fosters, sitters, instructors, staff, volunteers, donors and sponsors. Your efforts and support allow us to unleash both a dog’s and a client’s potential, leading the way to a more accessible world for us all.
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Canine Vision |
Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides 152 Wilson Street |
LFC 2020 Spring Report - Lion Deb Cserhalmi
I hope all is going well for our A-15 family in these strange times. As you can well imagine this has affected the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.
The training school has been closed down, except for vet services and some office staff. All the dogs who were in for training went back to their foster families or puppy sitters. The trainers contact the foster families once a week to offer advice and training tips. It's a busy season for the vet clinic. Blood tests are being done and heart worm and flea and tick meds given out. The breeding program is on hold but puppies are still being picked up once they are old enough.
As of now, the new facility is being put on hold. Sandy Turney has been let go. The property has been purchased but the current building has not yet been sold. New building plans are being looked into.
The major fundraiser, the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides, has been cancelled for the spring. In its place will be a virtual walk. Details will follow.
With all the uncertainty and disruptions, donations have fallen. No classes mean no teams to sponsor. The dog walk raises over one million dollars a year. Lions clubs are unable to fundraise in person. Dog Guides does have money in reserve and will probably be able to get some funding from the government program to run day to day. Once this is over and classes restart, money will be tight, so please keep LFC in mind once fundraising begins again.
Take care Lions
Lion Deb Cserhalmi
District A-15 Chair, Lions Foundation of Canada -> mailto:lfc.obfuscated.a15lions@org
www.dogguides.com
District A15 Resources
- Thinking About Hosting a Dog Walk?
- Sponsorship Opportunities
- Speaker Contacts for LFC
- Lions Clubs Programs & How You Can Help
- LFC Fundraising Initiatives (Awards & Fellowships)
Dog Guide Success Stories
LFC Resources
- Autism Assistance Dogs Application Form
- Canine Vision Canada Application Form
- Hearing Ear Dog Guide Application Form
- Seizure Response Dogs Application Form
- Special Skills Dogs Application Form
- Diabetic Alert Dog Guide Application Form
- Dog Guide Wish List
