The Tygerberg Hills Lions Club recently marked a remarkable milestone – celebrating 25 years of dedicated service to communities in need. The club, which was chartered at the Parow Golf Course, has built a strong legacy of compassion, community involvement, and unwavering commitment to those in need, Janine Joubert, a member of the club, says.
Over the years, she says, the club has reached out to various groups, including the elderly and youth, through numerous initiatives. Feeding schemes have been a cornerstone of their work, supplying food and ingredients to struggling families. During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the Tygerberg Hills Lions distributed food to other Lions Clubs to help ensure communities across the region were supported. Weekly sandwich deliveries to Khayelitsha were another significant effort, though these had to be paused due to safety concerns, says Joubert.
She says the club’s dedication to vision care has also been notable, with many spectacles provided to schoolchildren over the years. A group of local volunteers knitted jerseys and beanies, which the club distributed to families in need. For many years, starter school packs have been provided to preschool graduates, helping young learners take their first steps into formal schooling with the essentials they need, says Joubert.
Fundraising has played a vital role in making these projects possible. The club has raised money through quiz night and the annual sale of Christmas cakes.
Among the club’s proudest connections to its history are Alan van Wulven and his wife, Jeannie, the only two remaining charter members. Alan, a local businessman and the club’s first president, and his wife have made service a way of life. Their commitment to giving back continues to inspire members and the broader community, says Joubert.
At the recent celebration event, Gary van Zyl and wife Charmaine of Welgelegen were recognised with the prestigious Louis Volks Humanitarian Award for their exceptional contributions to community service.
Locally, the club sponsors the Brackenfell Leo Club, a group of enthusiastic young volunteers aged 12 to 18, and looking ahead, says Joubert, the club is eager to support initiatives such as the Little Walk for Warriors, which raises awareness and funds for children undergoing cancer treatment.
For 25 years, the Tygerberg Hills Lions Club have stood as a beacon of service, and the next chapter promises to be just as inspiring, says Joubert.
The club continues to meet monthly at the Ramasabi Guest House in Panorama. Community members who are interested in learning more about the club or becoming involved can contact Jeannie at 083 305 0424.
