Hello everyone! “Happy Canada Day!” to everyone 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!
Latest news about the 2026 Calendar
Our 2026 Green Capes Dog Guide calendar has officially gone to print!
A big thank you to our printing partner Icon for providing their expertise and support to make sure our calendars look as amazing as they do!
Little Linus, a 12-week-old lab/golden cross, went for a tour of Icon’s facility, posed for some photos with the staff, and approved the first run of the calendar himself.
Stay tuned for the unveiling of the 2026 Green Capes Dog Guide Puppy Calendar cover, coming next month!
Highlights from the Ride for Dog Guides
Green Capes was proud to be the presenting sponsor of this year’s Motorcycle Ride for Dog Guides, presented by the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides!
The 3-hour scenic motorcycle ride, which took place on June 21st,raised over $32,000, with 60 riders participating in the event, including one rider from Turner Construction, who has been a great supporter!
The Ride was very special this year as it will be the last one from the present location, and as the major sponsor, Green Capes got lots of coverage.
Green Capes member Tammy Burton gave an amazing talk to the riders before they left. Her focus was on the similarity of dog guides and motorcycle riders, with her key points being:
1. Both are highly trained tools for independence.
2. Each requires trust and understanding.
3. They often draw attention.
4. Gear and preparation matter.
“She had the audience enthralled! I wish I had videoed it but I was too busy listening”, noted one Green Capes member in attendance.
Another Green Capes Member commented “how exciting it was to see the bikes pull into the stop at Mohawk.”
The poker card game this year was a big success, and the BBQ lunch at the conclusion of the ride was excellent.
A huge “Thank you!” to everyone who attended the event, to those who so generously donated, and a special “Thank you!” to Travis, the staff from Dog Guides, and to the Green Capes Members who contributed to making the event such an amazing success!
Below is a collage of multiple photographs featuring Green Capes members, riders and dogs at the Ride for Dog Guides event. Several people are wearing bright orange “Ride for Dog Guides” T-shirts with “Sponsored by Green Capes” on the back. Riders and Green Capes members are shown interacting with each other, cuddling puppies wearing their green future Dog Guides vests, and selling merchandise. Drinks and cookies were being given to riders at the first stop on the motorcycle ride and the 2025 Green Capes Dog Guide Puppy calendar was being given away to riders at the final Breslau stop.
Major progress on the new school construction
Work on the new school facility is progressing at an incredible rate, and what a better way to describe it than “Wow! What an incredible facility!”.
So much has been done in just the past two weeks, including work on some of the exterior features.
Below are the latest images from the site.
In the center: Turner Team at the Walk for Dog Guides – such huge supporters.
clockwise from top left: Turner sign on the exterior wall with an image of a yellow lab puppy in an oversized red jacket , huge plan of the building for workers reference, East view mid-June with the Brickwork in progress, West view of the building, East view at the end of June with the Brickwork complete, view from the front and the crew leaving after a hot day at work.
Upcoming events
August 15/16 – First fund raiser event for 2025 in British Columbia, at the Mackenzie Center Mall in Mackenzie, B.C..
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 fund raisers, 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 asap.
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 Summer, and “Happy Canada Day!”
– The GCLC Team
