Donald
Teuma-Castelletti
QUYON Feb. 13, 2018
A club in Quyon decided to celebrate Shrove Tuesday a little differently this year, deciding to donate their profits to a young woman they know will need the money more than anyone else right now.
The Quyon Lions Club held their annual community feast at the Quyon Legion on Feb. 13, and decided that they were going to make the evening benefit Sabryna Mongeon, a Gatineau woman who had portions of all four limbs amputated following a car accident in Luskville early Christmas morning.
“We decided to [donate to her cause] a long time ago, shortly after it happened,” said Rolly Bernier, the main organizer of the Lions’ Shrove Tuesday meal. “Basically once we figure out our costs, the rest is going to her.”
Mongeon had hit a hydro pole in the accident and was electrocuted after exiting her vehicle. Frozen, hurt and stranded for hours until she was found by a snowplow driver, doctors determined they had to amputate portions of each limb because of the damage. Due to the costs associated with rehabilitation and prosthetics, her older sister started a crowd fundraising effort online to assist the family.
Previously, the group has donated the money to the Riverfront Revitalization Committee, which is another reason this year was different for the Lions. Instead of hosting the dinner at the community centre, which is currently torn down and being rebuilt, the group held it at the Quyon Legion.
“The Legion has been great for donating the hall for our use,” said Bernier, who added that the groups have had an awesome relationship, as the Lions had been permitted to hold their Christmas party and other events at the hall already.
Despite the change in location, it seemed no one had difficulty finding the Lions at the hall, as the parking lot was full and plates were fuller. Sausages, salads and beans were served up alongside the loads of pancakes being prepared onsite.
The Lions were so busy upstairs slaving away over their griddles that it took more than an egg beater to keep the pancake mix flowing. Ray Johnston was the lucky Lion tasked with a bit of unconventional mixing, pouring the mix and water into a pail before starting up the paint mixer for a quicker stir.
While the group wasn’t sure exactly how many people they could expect out this year with the change in location, there was one group they could count on – their wives.
“The cooperation that the Lions get from their wives, who are mostly Lionnettes, has been great for our efforts,” added Bernier.
