By Renee Wood
The Healesville Lions Club has plenty of the Lions Australia Christmas Cakes available for local residents wanting to support the tradition and cause.
The cakes are being sold through the Lions Den Opportunity store or others spots around town including the Bendigo Bank.
Shop Coordinator Elaine Dosser said the club raises around $8,000 each year through the Christmas Cake drive.
“It’s a big thing, the cakes themselves are a Lions Club recipe and this started many many years ago,” she said.
The proceeds go towards causes including blindness prevention and vision improvement projects, medical research, Children’s Mobility Foundation, hearing dogs, disaster relief, aged care, drug awareness and youth programs.
“It’s a tradition, so it’s more than a fundraiser. It’s a good recipe which has stood the test of time.”
The club also donates several cakes to Hicci and St Brigid’s Care Group for Christmas Hampers.
The fundraiser is just one of many the club is part of, with many running throughout the year.
Ms Dosser said more than $2 million dollars has been raised over the years since the club was established in 1961.
The Lion’s Den opportunity store is also a great retail outlet which helps to raise donations for the club that can be spread throughout the community.
The shop was established 34 years ago and the profits have gone to schools in Healesville, Badger Creek, Toolangi, Chum Creek, Catholic, Woori Yallock, Yarra Glen, and Fire
Brigades and trucks, SES and equipment.
The op shop is hoping more volunteers will come on board in the new year to help continue providing the vital service.
“We all become friends, the people within the shop even though we are getting older and we care for one another, and it’s a two way thing – it helps us and it helps the community.
“Everyone cares for one another and they come in and they’re part of a family – and you would go a long way to get that sort of friendships.”
