URGENT
Greetings to our Lions family, 

Lions have a long history with Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides starting with the vision to start the school back in the 1980’s. You have been instrumental in seeing the school grow from offering one program – Canine Vision – to providing 7 different training programs. Lions have been a constant partner in our mission and thanks to your generosity, Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides has changed thousands of lives – giving Canadians with disabilities the safety, independence, and partnership that only a Dog Guide can provide. 

Right now, the future of our new training school— and the life-changing work we do – is in jeopardy. 

We’ve had to pause construction on our new Dog Guide training school because of a $20 million shortfall. Without urgent action, construction could be halted permanently, and our capacity to operate our training program could be lost. 

This unexpected shortfall happened for several reasons: 

• A committed piece of financing did not come through in time as expected 

• The scope and size of the project expanded to meet the complex needs of a fully accessible, purpose-built facility 

• COVID-19 and economic uncertainty drove up construction and material costs 

This shortfall is putting our entire training program in jeopardy. If we cannot secure the remaining funds, we risk having to shut down our training program – and with it, our ability to match Dog Guides with Canadians who need them most. 

An urgent call to our community 

Today, we are launching the most urgent fundraising campaign in our history. We have $60 million committed toward our new national Dog Guide training school, but we must raise another $20 million to resume construction and continue operating. To get there, we’re asking everyone — government, major donors, corporate partners, Lions Clubs, and the public — to join us. 

We are calling on the public to raise $5 Million toward the shortfall, and we need help urgently to get building again, secure the future of our programs, and meet the growing demand from Canadians waiting for a life-changing Dog Guide. Every contribution, large or small, will bring us closer to opening the doors of this world-class facility, safeguarding our programs, and giving Canadians living with disabilities greater independence, safety, and support. 

 

How Can I Help? 

You have already given so much. Now we’re asking you for urgent help in a different way: 

• Make a donation if you are able: https://www.dogguides.com/donate/online-donations/ 

• Share our campaign with your Lions Club, friends, family and networks: www.dogguides.com 

• Start a peer-to-peer fundraiser or organize an event: https://events.dogguides.com/event/difference/home

• Post and re-share our updates on social media 

This is a make-or-break moment. Please don’t wait – we need your help today.  

If you have any questions, we recommend you first reach out to your District Governor, the Lions Campaign Leadership Committee (LCLC) or your Board representative. In addition, you can email Richard at rbanyard@dogguides.com. 

Together, we can protect the future of Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides and ensure the commitment to our mission can carry on. 

 

With gratitude, 

Bev Crandell, CEO 

Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guide