When a neighbour asked Don Ward to become a Lion, little did either man know it would be the beginning of 60 years of volunteer service.
An air force pilot stationed in P.E.I. in 1964, Ward joined the Lions Club in Saint Eleanors just outside of Summerside to help it build a clubhouse. As his military career took him across Canada, from Portage la Prairie to Ottawa to St. Albert, Ward remained a Lion, joining the local service club at each stop.
In 1984 when he relocated to Millarville to teach aeronautical engineering at SAIT, he joined the Foothills Lions Club, where he continues to be a member to this day.
The club recently held a special event to recognize Ward’s six decades of volunteer service and to celebrate his 88th birthday, albeit a couple of months early.
Ward said he didn’t want the recognition but joked that he’s not one to turn down a piece of cake.
The octogenarian said becoming a Lion has allowed him to meet a great many people across the country and to serve each community that’s he’s lived in.
“Every time I moved anywhere with the air force, I always went and joined the local Lions Club at that location. I think it's one of the best things you could do because as soon as you joined the Lions Club, you knew a lot of the local people, the doctors, the dentists and all those people because the odds were they were members,” he said.
Ward, who has no plans to slow down, said his favourite part of being a Lion is the interaction with community members at the various events and service projects the club undertakes.
“You meet so many good people,” he said. “I enjoy meeting the people and having fun with them. That's the part I really enjoy. If you don't have fun, why join? Being retired, I can go and do these things now a lot more.”
Ward has also volunteered for Foothills Search and Rescue for the past 30 years.
Foothills Lions Club secretary Larry Schielke called Ward, who has held every position with the club over the years, an inspiration to other members.
“We do a lot of barbecuing for schools and whatever else and guaranteed when we have a barbecue, Don is there,” said Schielke. “Any activity that the Lions put on, you're definitely going to see Don Ward there, supporting and helping out.”
Schielke said the Lions are proud to have Ward as a member and to be a role model for others in the club.
