Exeter Lions Club, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation have worked together for three decades on charity auction event, having raised $1.2 million for community
The Conservation Dinner has raised more than $1.2 million for projects in local communities and it would never have been possible without the support of the Exeter Lions Club, according to the Conservation Dinner Committee.
The Conservation Dinner is Thursday, April 16, 2020. This year’s charitable auction marks the 30th consecutive year that the Exeter Lions Club has been the major co-partner, with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, on the event. Net proceeds are split evenly between community conservation projects of the Conservation Foundation and community conservation projects of the Exeter Lions Club. The Lions Club first joined the Foundation as co-partner in 1991.
Dave Frayne is Chair of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF). He is also this year’s Chair of the Conservation Dinner Committee. He says the community fundraising event would never have lasted 30 years if it were not for the tireless work and dedication of the Lions Club:
“The Conservation Dinner partnership with the Exeter Lions Club is really one of a kind. It would be incredible to see this kind of partnership last five or ten or 15 years, but 30 years – that’s really special. Local communities and local people, including youth, benefit from this event. It’s donors, guests, and volunteers who make it happen and the Exeter Lions Club volunteers are at the forefront each and every year. I would like to commend the Lions for their community spirit and their years of service to this cause. The Dinner has been a lot of hard work from everyone involved but it’s also been a lot of fun working with the Lions Club members. The Lions Club volunteers work all year on this event and when the week of the Conservation Dinner comes they really kick it into high gear and it’s really amazing to see them at work. I would like to thank President Craig, the current Lions members, and all the past Lions members who have been part of this successful event for the past 30 years.”
– Dave Frayne, Chair of the Conservation Dinner Committee (2020) and Chair of Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF)
Craig Glavin is President of the Exeter Lions Club. He said working with the Conservation Foundation, and other community volunteers, has been enjoyable and has benefitted the community. Lions President Craig thanks all the current and past Lions members who have helped the Conservation Dinner raise more than $1.2 million for projects in local communities:
“I would like to personally thank all the Exeter Lions Club members, past and present. Exeter Lions Club members have spent thousands of hours organizing a great community event in support of needed community projects such as parks and trails and education, recreation, and job opportunities for young people. We enjoy working with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and the other community volunteers on the Dinner Committee. The volunteers should be very proud of what they have accomplished over the past three decades and I look forward to another successful evening in 2020. I would also like to thank our neighbouring Lions Clubs that also support the work of this community event.”
– Craig Glavin, President, Exeter Lions Club
Exeter Lions Club members have served as Conservation Dinner chairpersons over the years including:
- Tom Hartai and Mac MacDougall (1992)
- Peter Raymond (1994)
- George Godbolt (1996; 1998; 2000; 2002)
- Rob Reid (2005)
- Bob Gehan (2008; 2009; 2011)
- Bob Laye (2013)
- Paul Anstett (2015; 2016)
- Jim Beckett and Larry Taylor (2018; 2019).
Projects made possible by the auction event include community parks and conservation areas; fishing derby, nature day camps, and Owl Prowl events; accessible nature trails in Bayfield, Clinton, Parkhill, Lucan, Arkona, Exeter, and Varna; busing for students to experience outdoor nature education; a $1,000 student environmental bursary benefitting students in local communities; a summer job in conservation for a senior secondary school student; turtle monitoring and events in Port Franks and Ailsa Craig; aquatic habitat studies in Old Ausable Channel, Grand Bend; and other community projects.
The annual charitable event features live and silent auctions of art and other distinctive items including travel packages and sports and entertainment memorabilia. The Dinner includes special raffles, general raffles, appetizers, wine tasting, a wonderful meal, and a chance to visit with neighbours. The Dinner Committee thanks all the donors and sponsors, patrons and guests, and volunteers who make the event a success. The committee also thanks all the creative people who have been feature artists over the years in media ranging from paintings to ice sculptures to metal art to culinary arts.
The Conservation Dinner takes place at South Huron Recreation Centre at 94 Victoria Street East in Exeter. Tickets are $85 each. Patrons receive a charitable gift receipt, for income tax purposes, for a portion of that amount. To buy a ticket or to donate, visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation office east of Exeter at 71108 Morrison Line (south of Highway 83) or phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or email info@abca.ca. Find out more at abca.ca and conservationdinner.com.