Hello everyone! 2023 has been an absolutely outstanding year here at Green Capes, with so many first time achievements and new and exciting developments!
In this issue, we would like to take a moment to review some of the important highlights and events that have happened at Green Capes this year.
Have a wonderful and safe new year!
2024 is right around the corner! Green Capes would like to wish everyone a happy new year, and hope that everything you wish for comes true in 2024!
2024 Calendar breaks all sales records!
Since Green Capes began selling calendars back in 2018, the 2024 Calendar is the first calendar to virtually sell out! Due to an overwhelming increase in support from Lions clubs from across Canada and an outstanding performance by CSP and Distance CSP sellers, of the 10,095 calendars ordered, less than 200 calendars remain, resulting in over $100,000 in calendar sales! This is, by far, the most calendars sold and funds raised ever! An absolutely outstanding achievement, everyone!
New School Sales Program a huge success!
This year, Green Capes started a new School Sales Program, and partnered with the Bert Bowes Middle School in Fort St. John, B.C., and CaST – City as School Toronto. As part of their fund raising programs, the schools sold our 2024 calendars, with half of the proceeds from the sales going to the school and half to Green Capes – a win-win for both! Money from the sales goes to support the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, and to help local schools fund programs and services for their students!
“My name is Navenda Wright and I am A Risk Youth Junior Alternate Teacher at Bert Bowes Middle School in Fort St. John, BC.. We had the amazing pleasure of working with Daniel Smith and his colleagues. The Green Capes crew made it so easy for us to participate in this amazing fundraiser. We will definitely be working with Daniel again in the future and are very fortunate to have been able to give back to such a worthwhile cause.” – Mrs. Navenda Wright, Bert Bowes Middle School, Fort St. John, B.C..
Green Capes donates $250,000 towards the new dog guide school
In 2022, the Green Capes Lions Club committed to raising $250,000 to help The Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides build a new and improved training school in Oakville, Ontario. With the money that was raised from this year’s calendar sales, the Green Capes Lions Club is proud to announce that we have reached our $250,000 pledge commitment, and will be making the final payment to the LFCDG in early 2024. This money will be used to build the new entrance to the school, and will be the first thing visitors and clients to the school will see when they arrive.
Our annual donation to the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides
Since our start in 2018, the Green Capes lions Club has been using some of the funds we raise from calendar and merchandise sales to make an annual donation to the LFCDG, and this year was no exception. This year, GC donated $25,000 to the LFCDG nursery in Breslau, to help purchase new equipment and supplies that will be used to help give future generations of puppies the best possible chance to become tomorrow’s Superheroes! With the money donated, the school was able to purchase a new Puppy warmer incubator and oxygen concentrator, an Elite Grooming Tub, new washer and dryer and much more.
Thank you to our volunteers and supporters
There is no doubt that the Green Capes Lions Club would not be where it is today without the absolutely amazing support of our volunteers and supporters, and we would like to take a moment to thank everyone for all that you have done!
In addition, Green Capes would like to thank Icon Digital for their on-going support, and the Fashions 10/20/30 students of the Fort McMurray Composite High School .
Icon Digital has been a major supporter of wonderful charities such as the Geneva Centre for Autism, Right to Play, Campfire Circle and many more, including the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides through the printing of our Green Capes calendars and banners. Each year, Icon looks forward to seeing our calendar and meeting the new foster puppies that get to visit them. We are so grateful for the work they do for us!
We are also proud to partner with the Fashions 10/20/30 students from the Fort McMurray Composite High School. The students, under the direction of their Instructor, Mrs. Laureli Sluggett, have been working hard to help produce the custom made green capes that go with our new line of Superpup plush dogs. The students volunteer their time to cut, sew and assemble the capes, and in return, receive volunteer credits that are applied to their graduation requirements.
Thank you, one and all, for helping to make 2023 an outstanding year!
Green Capes launches its new and improved website
Everything changes and evolves with time, and the GCLC is no exception.
Earlier this year, GCLC launched a brand new website, with a more modernized look and new features, including improved accessibility and support for mobile and desktop viewing platforms. If you haven’t already seen the new site, check us out at www.greencapes.com, and send us your feedback. We’d love to hear from you!
New items available in the Green Capes Store and at events
Although the calendars have been Green Capes’ core product, we also have a number of other items available through our online store and at events.
Some of our best sellers are:
The Green Capes Superpup Team: A set of five plush dog toys, representing the five primary breeds the LFCDG use. Each dog is outfitted with a custom made green cape and tag. These super soft dogs are flying off the shelves, spreading joy and fun across Canada!
The GC Winter Toque: A 50% Merino/50% Acrylic medium rib knit Heather-Gray toque, with a Chestnut colored clipped leather GC logo. These toques are very soft, yet very warm – perfect for those cold Fall/Winter walks with our furry friends!
Customizable Keychains: Available in a number of different styles, and able to be customized, these keychains make a great keepsake!
New customizable fridge magnets: Available in a variety of designs, these fridge magnets can also be customized with your Superpup’s name, or anything else you wish.
New customizable ornaments: Like the fridge magnets and keychains, these ornaments are also customizable, and come in various designs.
We have also updated our line of Pet First Aid Kits with an expanded pet First Aid pamphlet and everything you need to take care of your special friend in case of emergency. Available in our easy to carry Mini First Aid Kit and more extensive Basic First Aid Kit, which is easily stowed in your car or home. A must have item!
Check out these and other items at the Green Capes online store at www.greencapes.com.
Highlights from recent events:
We had a very successful event on November 29th at the Brookfield Place, Toronto, near Union Station, with many fosters, pups and very helpful facility staff. The event brought in a one day total of approximately $1,400.00.
Below are some photos from the event:
The Durham team brought in just over $1000 at the Eddie Bauer event on November 30th. Great work everyone!
The second event at the PetValu store in Dawson Creek, B.C. was held on December 2nd and 3rd. “Thank-you!” to the residents of Dawson Creek for coming out and showing your support for the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides with a generous $1666 in merchandise sales and donations!
December 22, 2023 marked the last of the B.C. fund raiser events for 2023, and brought in $825 in merchandise sales and donations. Thank-you Mackenzie for all your support!
Additional events on December 6th at Atrium on Bay and December 16th, 17th, 23rd and 24th at Oakville Place were also held, but final figures from those events are not yet available. Stay tuned for updates on those events in the January newsletter!
Earlier fund raiser events this year included:
• October 1st – afternoon event at Bronte Harbour in Oakville
• October 2nd and 3rd at the Mackenzie Center Mall in Mackenzie, B.C., which brought in $2,225 in merchandise sales and donations.
• October 24th and 25th at the Canadian Tire Store in Prince George, B.C., which brought in $2,384 in merchandise sales and donations.
• November 4th and 5th at the Dawson Creek, B.C. PetValu store, which brought in $1,949 in merchandise sales and donations.
• “Plaid Friday” event in Mackenzie, B.C. on November 24th, which raised $1,057 in merchandise sales and donations.
Up-coming events:
The 2023 event year is now over, and the event planning for 2024 is about to start. At present, we have no planned events for the start of the year, but stay tuned for upcoming announcements of new events to come, and watch the Facebook groups for postings on how you can help. There will be many fun and exciting times to come!
Send us your requests
We want to make our newsletter as informative as possible, and we would love to get any comments or requests you may have! 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? Come join the newsletter team, and help us spread the news!
Come join the club:
EVEN A SUPERHERO NEEDS A HELPING PAW
If you have ever considered becoming a member, now is a great time! What an amazing way to start off the new year!
We need new people, new ideas and new energy. As a full member you would be able to participate in meetings and committees, lead events and guide our future!
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 give Canadians living with disabilities the joy, safety and independence a Dog Guide brings.
Green Capes meets monthly via Zoom, and currently conducts events in southern Ontario and northeast British Columbia.
If you are interested in joining, just reply to this message and our membership coordinator will get back to you asap.
Members pay an annual membership fee of $95 (pro-rated, if applicable), plus a one-time Lions International setup fee of $50.
Come join the fun, and help us make today’s puppies tomorrow’s Superheroes!
– The GCLC Team
