October 2025

Hello everyone!  Important things are happening with the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, and Green Capes is again stepping up to the plate to do our part!  We are calling on all members, volunteers and supporters to help spread the word and raise funds for Dog Guides!

In this issue, an update on the Green Capes Challenge – how will you make a difference, tips for great calendar sales, highlights from recent events and much more!

The Green Capes Challenge: How Will YOU Make a Difference?

Wow – over 1,000 calendars have been ordered through the CSP in less than a month! That’s more than $20,000 in potential calendar sales!

The Green Capes Challenge is on, and now it’s your turn. We’re challenging YOU to make a difference – because every calendar sold helps Dog Guides provide Canadians with disabilities the independence, safety, and companionship of a Dog Guide.

We’re challenging YOU to step up for Dog Guides by choosing one of the following ways to get involved:

  • Join the Green Capes Team on the Dog Guides peer-to-peer platform by clicking the link below and clicking ‘Join Us’: https://events.dogguides.com/fundraisers/greencapessuperpups
  • Sell 2026 Green Capes Dog Guide Puppy Calendars  –  an adorable daily reminder of the incredible service dogs in training. 100% of the net proceeds of this calendar are donated to LFCDG.

Learn more and sign up here: https://csp.superpupcalendar.ca/

Want to join us in selling calendars? Here’s how it works:

Local CSP: If you can pick up calendars from a distribution point (Oshawa, Toronto, King City, Etobicoke, Oakville, Dundas, Guelph or Shakespeare) you can order calendars from us at no cost, sell them to friends, family, co-workers, in stores etc. for $20, and then you e-transfer the funds for the ones that you have sold! You simply return any unsold calendars to us, which makes this program easy, simple and absolutely risk-free!

Distance CSP: For those farther away, you first sell calendars for $20, collect the funds, then place one order for 10+ calendars by November 30 and e-transfer the funds to us. We will ship the calendars you have sold to you and then you can distribute them.

Together, we can help Dog Guides continue to make a difference.

photo description: a silly and playful yellow lab puppy wearing colourful glasses and holding a rubber ducky in her mouth, lays down on a pink background next to the 2026 Green Capes Dog Guide Puppy calendar. Text reads: Join the Green Capes Challenge, in support of Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.

Tips for Great Calendar Sales

Are you interested in selling calendars, but not sure who to approach, or what technique works best?

Green Capes would like to offer some tips and suggestions from our club members and dedicated volunteers on what has worked for them in the past. 

This month’s suggestion comes from Green Capes member Karen, who has submitted a well-crafted e-mail she sends to friends, family and past customers that has worked well for her when selling calendars.  Green Capes member Sharon has created and posted three sample templates, based on Karen’s e-mail, on the CSP website:

Sample 1 – best suited for CSP members

Sample 2 – best suited for Fosters, grads and supporters

In addition, Karen has also submitted a door poster, which she hangs on her door every year to help sell calendars, and discourage sales people knocking on her door at the same time!

Check out the samples and door poster here, select the one that works best for you, and be sure to let us know how it goes!

If you or anyone you know is interested in joining the Local or Distance CSP programs, just click the Local or Distance CSP links from the menu on this page to sign up!

If you have any ideas you would like to share with others, please send them to membership@greencapes.com, and they will be posted anonymously in upcoming newsletters.

Let’s help each other, and make this year our best ever for calendar sales!

Highlights from our recent fund raiser events

The event that was mentioned in the September newsletter for  Dawson Creek on September 19th and 20th had to be postponed, so in its place, a second event was held at the Mackenzie Center Mall in Mackenzie, B.C..  The event raised just over $1,200 in sales and donations.  Many thanks to the residents of Mackenzie and surrounding area for your generosity and support! 

On September 27th, Green Capes participated in the Fallin’ For Fun Festival at Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park, where our booth raised a total of $598 in sales and donations!

Green Capes member Janice reports that the “Fallin’ for Fun Festival was a fun and sunny day, indeed.  Organized and run by various Green Capes members, with additional support from volunteers and a team of 16 dogs (pups/Dog Guides/breeding female), we had an average of 5-6 volunteers and 5-6 dogs for each of the 3 shifts.  We’re so grateful for all the help!

Every bit helps and at least 2 people used the QR code on the spot to donate direct to Dog Guides!  We also spoke to many people who live in Oakville and were interested in fostering a dog Or volunteering at LFC Dog Guides.  All in all, it was a successful day!”

Below is a collage of multiple photos from the Fallin’ For Fun event, showing various Green Capes members, volunteers and dogs at the Green Capes booth.   

The image is a collage of multiple photos from the Fallin' For Fun event, showing various Green Capes members, volunteers and dogs at the Green Capes booth.

A big “Thank you!” to everyone for your generosity and support!

Upcoming events

October 3rd and 4th: event at the Canadian Tire store in Fort St. John, B.C.

October 23rd and 24th:  Event at the Canadian Tire store in Prince George, B.C.

Updates on the new school construction

As many of you know, the construction on the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guide’s new training facility has been paused while LFCDG raises $20 million dollars for the new facility.

Organizations like Green Capes are working hard to raise the funds needed to finish the construction on the building. Please join us in one of our fundraisers and together we can help Dog Guides provide Canadians with disabilities with life-changing Dog Guides for years to come!

Below is a collage showing various photos from the site.  Clockwise from the upper left is a photo of Turner in his Training gear, an image of the building and site, the core crew keeping positive with Halloween decorations and site posters saying “Building what matters to you”

An image collage showing various photos from the site and of Turner.  Clockwise from upper left:  Turner in Training, the building site, the core crew keeping positive with Halloween decorations  and site posters saying "Building what matters to you"

Try a free two-month trial, and join the GCLC Team!

Are you interested in helping Canadians with disabilities receive the gift of independence, safety and happiness a dog guide brings?

Then how about becoming a member of the Green Capes Lions Club, and helping us raise funds in support of the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides! 

Not sure if becoming a member is right for you?  No problem – you can join the club for free as a trial member for two months, and see what we are all about!

Did you know that there are fewer than 25 full-time members at Green Capes? Anyone is welcome to join, from anywhere in Canada! Most members are past or present puppy raisers, graduates and supporters, and we all work together to help make today’s puppies tomorrow’s Super Heroes!

Green Capes meets monthly via Zoom and currently conducts events in southern Ontario and northeast British Columbia.  Not only do we help raise funds in support of Dog Guides, we also work to spread knowledge and awareness about dog guides, and the benefits they bring to Canadians.

For a small annual fee of $97 (pro-rated, if applicable), plus a one-time Lion’s International setup fee of $50 for new memberships, full members are able to host and participate in fundraisers, lead or participate in various club committees and enjoy various fun and exciting members-only Club activities.  Full members also have a voice at our monthly and annual member’s meetings, and can vote on various motions that will help guide our future!  Members can even run for a position on the Club Executive, and help be a guiding light for the club and our future goals!

There is no better time to join, and a great opportunity to change the life of a person with a disability.  Join the Green Capes Lions Club today, and help make today’s puppies tomorrow’s Super Heroes!

If you are interested in joining, just reply to this message and our membership coordinator will get back to you as soon as possible.

Green Capes is looking for an Events Coordinator

Do you have a talent for event coordination, and looking for an outlet to express that talent?  The Green Capes Lions Club has the perfect opportunity for you!

We are looking for a new Events Coordinator to take over the planning, booking and coordination of fundraising activities in the Ontario region.  Most of our current fund-raising activities take place in the Fall and early Winter months, but we are also interested in expanding to include other times of the year.

As a member of GCLC, you would have the opportunity to introduce new venues, coordinate current events, and help us spread awareness of dog guides and the benefits they bring to Canadians with disabilities.

If you are interested, or would like more information on the Events Coordinator position, please reply to this newsletter, or send a message to membership@greencapes.com, and we will get back to you right away.

Send us your requests

We want to make our newsletter as informative as possible, and we would love to hear your comments or requests. Simply reply to this newsletter with your comments or requests, and we will update the newsletter accordingly.

Got a little newsperson buried deep down inside, just howling to be let off-leash? Got a few minutes to show off your writing talents? Join the newsletter team and help us spread the news.

Have a great Fall, and let’s all work together to make this the best fundraising season yet!

– The GCLC Team

Aug 2025

Aug 2025

In this issue, the latest news about the 2026 Green Capes Dog Guide Puppy Calendar, tips for great calendar sales, new sticker arrivals in the Green Capes Store, updates on the new school construction and much more!

July 2025

July 2025

Happy Canada Day! from the Green Capes Lions Club.

In this issue, the latest news about the 2026 Green Capes Dog Guide Puppy Calendar, highlights from the Motorcycle Ride for Dog Guides, updates on the new school construction and much more!

June 2025

June 2025

In this issue,  the Green Capes team raises $4270 for the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides, sponsorship of the Motorcycle Ride for Dog Guides, preparing for outdoor adventures with your four-legged friends, updates on the new school construction and much more!