McVicar Highlights Lions Clubs’ Role in Supporting CNIB’s Vision and Dog Guide Programs

The Annual Lions Club Potato Sale is coming up Saturday, October 5th at their regular location on 18th Street North, Brandon. This to raise funds for the numerous local projects across the city, but also for larger organizations on a national level.

"Potatoes sales is one of many fund-raising projects which helps us donate tens of thousands of dollars to dozens of organizations every year," says Wheat City Lions Club member, Brian McVicar."

He adds one of the most significant initiatives they support is with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB).

"One of the biggest supporters was Helen Keller, the Helen Keller," shares McVicar. "This amazing lady spoke at one of the first Lions meetings and was a major force in the Lions Club. The Lions have committed to being one of the eyesight donors for the blind for many, many years."

McVicar explains not only do they collect eyeglasses for the visually impaired, but they also financially support the training for the Dog Guide Program.

"They're going through a major rebuild out in Ontario," he explains. "It's a world renown dog training facility and it's requiring $50 million dollars to rebuild that facility for dog guide training. The need for seeing eye dogs is immense and once that rebuild is complete, they will be able to train over 200 dogs a year which is pretty substantial. It takes a lot to train those amazing dogs!"

The dog training school began in the 1980's with Canine Vision Canada in Oakville, Ontario. It is the largest dog training school in Canada serving 7 different programs: hearing, vision, service, diabetic alert, autism assistance, seizure response and facility support.

Canine Vision Canada has launched a $50 million campaign, The Difference Campaign, aimed at building a new 89,000-square-foot national Dog Guide training school. This initiative will expand their capacity to train and match more Dog Guides with people from across Canada. At the time of writing this they have collected just over $41 million.

With the plans and permits approved, the site is being prepared to start construction, with the opening planned for early 2026.

McVicar notes by folks supporting the Lions Clubs in their communities, they are supporting the CNIB and the building of this new Dog Guide training school.

Please listen to more with Brian McVicar below!

The upcoming Annual Lions Club Potato Sale takes place this coming Saturday October 5th, starting at 9am on 18th Street North across from Kelleher Ford, Brandon.

"We have had thousands of people come from far and wide around Brandon for well over 2 decades to purchase quality Russet potatoes donated by our long time Carberry potato supplier Mark Keller," adds McVicar. "Because of this and the volunteer work of our Lions Club and assistance in bagging from Brandon Correctional Centre we are able to sell 50 lb bags at a very reasonable price."