Under the motto “Come Together,” the National Convention of Lions Clubs Switzerland took place at the end of last week, bringing 700 Lions, Leos, and guests from all over Switzerland to St. Gallen. The theme of inclusion was implemented on many levels by involving people with disabilities in various areas of the event. For example, they helped with guest reception or service, sang in a mixed choir, or demonstrated their sporting talents at a handball game.
The Lions Club St. Gallen had set up a fundraising event as part of the National Convention to collect donations for the Special Olympics Switzerland Foundation. Everyone’s expectations were far exceeded: OC President Sandro Stöckli was able to present Simon Ammann, the President of Special Olympics Switzerland, with a check for 105,000 Swiss francs! The four-time Olympic ski jumping champion, who was able to present the foundation at the Lions Night, is deeply impressed by this extremely generous donation and says: “We thank the Lions Club St. Gallen and all donors from the bottom of our hearts for this extraordinarily generous donation. Feeling how many people support our vision of an inclusive world motivates and encourages us to continue building sports programs for children, young people and adults with disabilities and to make Swiss sport more inclusive.”
You can find a film about the handball game here and more information about the Lions Club Switzerland in the following link.
Image credit: Foto Lautenschlager
