Donald Teuma-Castelletti
SHAWVILLE June 1, 2018
Shawville Lions and Lionettes teamed up on Friday, filling up the Valu-mart parking lot as they returned to hold their annual barbeque and bake sale.
Fully benefitting the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), the annual collaboration saw hungry customers loading up on tons of homemade baked goods, with some returning for a hamburger or hot dog in the afternoon.
“We’ve had this barbeque for years, well over 20 years,” said Lions member and event organizer Kerry Sharpe. “The Lions Club has always had a focus on helping children.”

Sharpe explained that their barbeque began back when CHEO began their telethon, and has continued through the years to raise thousands in donations to the hospital.
While the Lions man the grill on one side of the tent, the Lionettes occupy the far side, filling a few tables with a wide variety of baked goods, including brownies and rhubarb squares.
Though the Lionettes have used the bake sale to fundraise for a few different causes over the years, this year they returned to donating the proceeds to CHEO, as they know it continues to benefit members of their community, too.
Customers were happy to have their choice of tons of homemade goodies, a fact the ladies were proud to highlight with their customers.
As well, the group were proud to say that their fundraiser would continue through most any harsh weather that mother nature may throw their way.
“Unless it’s a hurricane, we stay. Last year or the year before, a few guys had to hold down the posts [of the tent], it rained so hard,” said Sharpe. “We try not to give in easy.”