December brought a flurry of activities for the Vergennes Lions. One program enjoying its ninth season is the Toys for Christmas Program that annually provides new toys, gifts and even bicycles for hundreds of children. Vergennes Lion Club member Susan Hayes heads up the project and shares that this labor of love is the result of incredible generosity and partnerships within the community. “ This would be impossible without the help, time and sponsorship of so many people,” Hayes shared, “ and first we have to thank Addison County Therapy for hosting the event and an incredible amount of toys donated by WowToyz. To Mary Kate, Mary, Jamison and Michael at Addison County Therapy and to the leaders and staff of WowToyz, we are so grateful.” In addition, collection barrels are placed around the community and generous patrons load up the bins with new toys. This year Shear Cuts, Ferrisburgh Bake Shop, One Credit Union, Kinney Drugs, and Gaines Insurance, The Dollar Store and Addison County Therapy served as collection points. Another huge component of the project is the fleet of new and refurbished bikes donated each year by Green Mountain Foster Bikes, owned and operated by Tim & Paula Mathewson. This year twenty lucky winners of the bike raffle went home with wheels and a safety helmet to enjoy for years to come. 

An army of Vergennes Lions donate hours of service time to collect, sort, shop, set up, and help bring the event to life. Special thanks to Lion Gary Russell, Lion Harry Curth, Lion Lorraine Goddette, Lion Amy Stagg, Lion Jennifer Krause, Lions Peter & Janet Halpin, Lion Joyce Jewell, Lion Kathy Dorman and LEOS Kaiya and Kelsey. Special thanks to Lion Karen Taylor and Cristy Fortune whose year round crafting of hats, scarves, blankets and mittens allow hundreds of children to be outfitted for the winter and wearing a gift made with love. There is a magic in this season of the year where giving is and seeing joy and smiles on children’s faces is front and center. This year 452 children received Christmas toys and gifts from this program and no family member was turned away. 

In fact, during the same days that Toys for Christmas was open, at the Commodore Club, Vergennes Lions and Vergennes Rotary also offered a selection of gifts where children could shop for their parents and then wrap them up with the help of Vergennes LEO elves. Thirty-five children came and shopped free of charge for a gift to give their parents, guardians or grandparents. Led by Lion Debbie Brace and Lion Lisa Denton, the program brings smiles and holiday joy. 

Another activity focused on warmth for the holidays involved making blankets to give. Lion Kathy Dorman brought together Lions Jody Bushey, Amy Stagg and Tammy Grant with LEOS Kelsey and Kaiya to create over twenty fleece blankets. 

Rounding out a very busy month, the Vergennes LEOS honored members achieving 50 or 100 hours of service and helped a 96 year old woman pack and load the contents of her apartment as she got ready to fly to California to live with her daughter. Lastly, the group spent twenty hours reading to kindergarteners in local schools. A busy year of service.

Lion Peter Mathewson donated five new bikes and fifteen refurbished bikes to help Toys for Christmas spread joy to the children of the area. 

Lions Debbie Brace and Lisa Denton with LEO wrapping elves Kaiya and Kelsey at the Kids Shop for Parents event. 

Lion Kathy Dorman and Lion Amy Stagg display some of the many fleece blankets made. 

LEO Quincy receives her 100 hour service pin from LEO Scout.