Signature Events
Securities
If you have public company shares that have increased in value, there are several tax advantages to transferring the actual appreciated shares as a donation, now or in the future. Securities can include stocks, mutual funds, segregated funds, bonds, flow-through shares, and employee stock options. Consult your financial advisor to decide which investments make the most financial and philanthropic impact. Ask your broker to transfer your securities to Lions Foundation of Canada by completing the Gift of Publicly Traded Securities form and emailing it to the address provided on the top of the form.
Fellowship: Judge Brian Stevenson Diamond
The Judge Brian Stevenson Diamond Fellowship is endorsed by PIP Judge Brian Stevenson.
Recipients receive a certificate, a medallion and a letter from Judge Brian Stevenson. This recognition is one of the greatest honours that can be bestowed in Lionism in Canada and is a way to further honour someone who has already received another Judge Brian Stevenson Fellowship.
The recipient receives a silver Judge Brian Stevenson medallion with a synthetic diamond as well as a lapel pin and a personalized certificate.
The Judge Brian Stevenson Diamond Fellowship is for purchase for $1,000 by a Club, District, Multiple District, or an individual who wishes to honour someone. No personal purchases.
Fellowship: Lion Art Woods Golden Tree
This fellowship recognizes the commitment, dedication and 50 years of service of PID Art Woods. With Lion Art’s passion for the environment and LFCDG’s Memorial Forest, funds from this fellowship will be directed to a dedicated garden space at the new training school. Recipients receive a unique personalized plaque.
Fellowship: Progressive Judge Brian Stevenson
This fellowship is a way to further honour someone who has received a Judge Brian Stevenson Fellowship. It is one of the greatest honours that can be bestowed within Lionism in Canada. The recipient receives a gold bar pin to be worn on the white ribbon of the Judge Brian Stevenson medallion as well as a lapel pin with ruby and a personalized certificate.
Fellowship: Judge Brian Stevenson
To recognize outstanding Lions and other deserving recipients, PIP Judge Brian Stevenson has endorsed this fellowship. The recipient will receive a Judge Brian Stevenson medallion, lapel pin and signed certificate.
Progressive Life Membership
A way to further honour someone who is already a Life Member. The recipient will receive a lapel pin with a distinctive red stone and a certificate, along with a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides and a Progressive Life Membership lapel pin.
Life Membership
Available to Lions, Lioness, Leos and families, the Life Membership is a way to honour a fellow Lions member, a past President or a family member. Life Membership certificates are signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. The recipient also receives a Life Membership lapel pin. Life Membership banner patches are available to clubs when 100% of its members are Life Members.
100% Club Award
When all members of a Lion Club have received Life Memberships, a 100% Club yellow patch can be added onto the Club's banner.
Fellowship: Lions Foundation
An excellent way to give recognition to an “all round good lion or lioness”; someone who consistently provides excellent service to Lions or Lions Foundation of Canada and is outstanding in service to their community or to Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. The recipient of this Fellowship receives a personalized rosewood plaque and a Fellowship lapel pin.
Sponsor a Dog Guide Team
There are many opportunities to provide support to the Dog Guide program as a partner or sponsor. Sponsoring a Dog Guide will cover a portion of the $35,000 that it costs to raise and train a puppy and ultimately match with its handler. Your support will help the Dog Guide team be partners for as long as 10 years, with a life-time of follow-up.
Your sponsorship can be directed to the program of your choice.
Sponsor an Event
Fundraisers are an important way for us to raise money for Dog Guides programs and services. As a sponsor, you would be offsetting costs associated with running an event, whether it’s by donating with products or cash.
You can run your own event and donate the proceeds to Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.
Wish List
The Wish List is a unique way to make a contribution to Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. You can contribute an item or make a donation towards the purchase of an item.
Donate Reward Points
Reward points like AIR MILES can be redeemed for eVouchers to grocery stores which will assist with expenses for meals for clients while in training at the Oakville facility. Reward points can also be redeemed for gift certificates or items for a fundraising event.
Donate a Car
Both Charity Car and Donate a Car Canada accept vehicle donations for Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. You will receive a tax receipt for your donation.
Charity Car or
Donate a Car Canada: www.donatecar.ca
“Adopt” a Puppy
“Adopt” a future Dog Guide puppy and help them grow up to change someone’s life! You will help offset part of a puppy's regular veterinary expenses during their crucial first year. In return, you or the person of your choice will receive a certificate personalized with the recipient's name, announcing the symbolic adoption of a Dog Guide.
Cost: $100
Bequests
Leaving even a small portion of your estate to charity can result in a bigger contribution than you ever thought possible, while still supporting those you love. By leaving a bequest in your will, you can ensure the causes you care about are supported beyond your lifetime. Benefits also include some potentially significant tax savings. Take a look at the free resources and tools - including the bequest tax calculator - on the Will Power website to learn about ways to give, connect with financial advisors and discuss what is best for you.
Life Insurance
In this situation, Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides would be a beneficiary on a life insurance policy. A gift of life insurance allows you to make a large gift in the future by making smaller tax-receiptible premium payments now.
RRSPs or TFSAs
If you own an RRSP or Tax-Free Savings Account, you can choose to designate Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides as the beneficiary.
Charitable Trusts
A charitable trust allows you to retain the income of current investments while making a gift to Lions Foundation of Canada in the future.
Donor Advised Funds
A fund held at a Community Foundation or bank has become quite popular. You can have your own "foundation" without the administrative burden of a private foundation.
Charitable Gift Annuities
A gift annuity guarantees payments to Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides for your lifetime, some of which can be tax-free. The portion of the sum you contribute is a gift that will immediately support Dog Guide programs.
In Memorium
A loved one can be honoured with a donation to Lions Foundation of Canada. Donors can specify the program(s) they wish to support. An acknowledgement will be sent to a designated family member on the donor’s behalf. In memoriam cards are available upon request from Lions Foundation or online.
Endowment Fund
An endowment fund is an excellent way to make your gift last well into the future. For gifts of $10,000 or more, an endowment can be established in your name. The interest generated annually from the investment is used to support Dog Guide programs.
Celebrations
Choose to donate to Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides in recognition of a celebration, such as a birthday, wedding or anniversary. You can send an ecard for any occasion or we'll send a letter acknowledging your thoughtful gift.
Pet Memorial Wall
The Pet Memorial Wall is a lasting tribute that commemorates the life of your pet . The Pet Memorial Wall is located in Breslau, ON, on the grounds of the Dog Guides training center, where many of our puppies begin their lives.
Plaques are inscribed with the family and pet's name. Recognition takes place at an annual dedication ceremony on the second Saturday of June.
Email: info@dogguides.com
Cost: $150
Memorial Forest
Commemorate the life of a loved one by planting a tree. This living memorial will grow and flourish over the years. Our Memorial Forest is located at our facility in Breslau, ON. The name of the deceased will be inscribed on a plaque and placed at the base of a tree at the annual dedication service on the second Saturday of June. A certificate will be sent to a designated family member or friend on the donor’s behalf. Email: info@dogguides.com
Cost: $350
Your Donations at Work!
Akito & Mochi
When Akito was 7 years, he was a “bolter”. If he started to run away, his Dog Guide was trained to plant herself on the ground to keep him safe.
Having a Dog Guide in the home has been life-changing for their family, including Akito’s sister.
People used to give our family dirty looks. It’s an invisible disability. You don’t look at him and realize right away that Akito has Autism. Having a service dog has helped with people’s opinions in general.
Mochi provides Akito with emotional support, expanding what they are able to do as a family. Akito’s father Sean has seen the difference firsthand.
In Akito’s case, it’s hard to make friends. Mochi gives him confidence. People will come up and approach him because they’re interested in learning about his dog. That’s very important, because Autistic people want to be part of things, they’re just not always included.
Marielle lends a paw in the Courtroom
Sometimes we need someone to simply be there for us. Facility Support Dog Marielle has proven this to be true. The court room can be a very scary place, especially for a child. Thankfully, Marielle is there to lend a paw. She provides love and support to children who have been through traumatic experiences explains handler Kristal Leblanc.
It can be very isolating in the witness box. Family members or safe supporters are seated far back in the gallery. It can be intimidating to have to tell a room full of adults details of what has happened, especially in sexual assault cases.
Since graduating from the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, Marielle has worked on more than 75 trials. She is the first and only accredited facility support dog to be used in a New Brunswick courtroom. Her impact has been immeasurable.
I don’t know what we would do without her. There are things as professionals we can’t offer. We can’t go into the witness box and provide comfort and compassion. She just gives something that no other human could ever give.