Lake Lenore School and its Breakfast for Learning Program were the beneficiaries of a grant from the Lions Club International Foundation. The Lake Lenore Lions Club applied to their international funding organization based on the merit of the Breakfast program and the local club’s contributions to the fund. The cheque was a $2500 value. 

Representatives of the Lake Lenore Lions were on hand to make a cheque presentation with the entire student body gathered. The kids got granola bars and the school and its principal, Ralph Viczko, received a big boost for the nutrition initiative. 

“A little while ago, one of our local Lions members approached me about their willingness to support a grant application for our Breakfast for Learning program,” Viczko said. “We said we’d definitely be on board for that; we’re always looking for ways to fund the program.”

That Lion was District Governor Beryl Bauer who explains that the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) backs projects large and small with a focus on diabetes, pediatrics, natural disasters, and health facilities. 

“Local clubs all over the world raise funds for the LCIF, and in turn the Foundation gives grants for various causes,” Bauer says. “One of the more recent ones was a major donation to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital.”

Applications for funds are project-based on merit. Clubs can also receive a percentage value back for donations to the Foundation and the grants can also be provided on a matching basis. In the case of the Breakfast for Learning donation, all the funds were provided from the Foundation through the grant process.

“Starting in the fall, two mornings a week, Tuesday and Thursday mornings, breakfast is served for all of our students,” Viczko explains. “There are lots and lots of busy families, so there’s not always time for breakfast. I know our kids who come here to practice early in the mornings certainly appreciate it.”

The breakfast is prepared by a local volunteer who comes in on the designated days.  Breakfast was provided on the morning of the presentation.

“This morning it was baked oatmeal for everyone, and what could be better than baked oatmeal on a -40 degree morning,” chuckled Viczko.

With the support of the LCIF, the Lake Lenore Lions are behind many charitable donations and activities that impact their community and those around them.