Lions lending a helping hand

Bob Rasmus clearly remembers one of the best projects he ever worked on as a volunteer.

A number of years ago, Rasmus met a mother with a severely autistic child who told him her son was the joy of her life. He knew he had to help her.

The mom told Rasmus that her seven-year-old son was getting too heavy to lift out of bed and carry into the bathroom. She had recently acquired a hoist system to help her lift her child, but it had to be installed in what Rasmus knew would amount to a $15,000 renovation.At the time, Rasmus was a builder who owned his own business.

He was also a member of the Lynn Valley Lions Club. He reached out to his suppliers and sub-trades, who agreed to help with the renovation. He then approached his Lions club, who agreed to pay for materials. A work party was organized and many of the professionals on site, including an electrician and a carpenter, donated their time. Thanks to their joint effort, the job was completed and a local family received some much-needed help.

"She was really thrilled," says Rasmus of the mom.

Now retired, Rasmus is still a member of the Lions club and is currently a zone chairman overseeing eight different clubs from Deep Cove to Pemberton.

In the 24 years he has been a member of the Lions, he has participated in many of the service club's projects, including building picnic shelters, putting on Easter egg hunts, building accessible trails, and managing subsidized housing projects. The five Lions clubs across the North Shore raise about $250,000 a year, says Rasmus, adding, "that money goes back into the community at various levels."

Lions do a lot of cook shacks at various events to raise money, and the Lynn Valley club is know for their annual Lynn Valley Day event, which is coming up in May.

When Rasmus first started volunteering with the Lions, he was the father of two young kids, owned his own business, and still found time to coach Little League and be a Scout leader. He got up at 4 a.m. every day to be at work by 5."Then my day went from there," he says. Rasmus says he gets a real level of satisfaction from doing things for other people. He joined the Lions so he could contribute to the community.

"I made my living out of the community and I felt that it was good for me to put back into that community."

The Lions is a service club with more than a million members around the world, explains Rasmus. The group organizes and participates in a diverse range of programs and fundraising efforts, including collecting eye glasses for eye care in third world countries.

Those interested in volunteering for the Lions must be 18 years old, but there is also a Leos program for young people who want to get involved.

Rasmus is quick to point out there is no upper age limit for Lions volunteers.

"You go till you drop," he says with a laugh.

On April 12, the club is hosting a zone rally event that is open to the public. It will feature guest speakers, entertainment and raffles. Tickets are $50, which includes dinner. Email [email protected] for more information.

This story originally appeared in the North Shore News Volunteer Week special section.