'Not your grandfather's Lions Club': These N.L. volunteers keep 75 years of helpful traditions alive

If you've ever enjoyed a dance or a mean game of bingo at a small community centre, there's a good chance your local Lions Club was behind it.

For over 75 years, this network has been fundraising, organizing events and knocking on doors in the name of helping their communities. Longtime Portugal Cove-St. Philip's member Bradley Moss says the volunteers are a dedicated bunch. 

Moss says if he could drop everything to serve with the Lions Club full-time, he would. 

"It's a part-time job for me," said Moss in an interview with CBC News. "It's a labour of love."

Moss has been volunteering with the Lions for 21 years. This year, he's the district governor for all clubs east of Gander. There are 100 clubs scattered throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

There's no denying his passion for the service organization. Moss jokes that he could talk for 30 minutes straight, just listing all the needs the club meets in the province. 

It's a family affair for Moss, too. 

His family of five — including his wife Suzette and 10-year-old son, James — are involved in the club in one way or another. Sometimes it just takes a simple act, according to James. 

"At school, I get to sell ice creams every Tuesday and Thursday," he said. "It's really fun because, well, I just get to sell people ice creams and watch them be happy."

And sometimes, the club's acts of service are grand.

Boots on the ground 

Moss insists "this is not your grandfather's Lions Club."

Supported by donations collected across the province, the district governor is just back from a November mission in Guatemala, where he helped provide 615 patients with optometrical exams and free glasses. 

After 15 years of missions to Haiti, Guatemala and Nicaragua, the Lions Club served their 9,000th patient on their most recent trip. 

"You don't have to speak the same language to feel appreciation coming back," said Moss. "Whether that's a handshake, a smile, a hug. In a lot of cases you do get enormous appreciation from people who don't have any reasonable expectation of quality eye care or health care."

Just days after returning to Newfoundland and Labrador, Moss was ready to help people once again with the Tree of Warm Wishes project.

Winter hats, mittens, and other cold weather necessities are donated at schools and community buildings in Portugal Cove-St. Philip's, then the town's Lions Club donates those items to the Association for New Canadians.

Moss pins the need for that initiative on the high cost of living in the province, and the fact that many newcomers may have a "pinched" income.

Norah Daley, a Grade 4 student at Beachy Cove Elementary, happily placed some mittens on the tree, saying that everyone deserves to be warm during the holiday season. 

"Everyone should be equally treated with love and kindness," said Norah.

Volunteerism is a special thing, according to Moss. He says the club is always looking for new ideas, from passionate people young and old.

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