LPCCI HISTORY
Everybody likes a good idea, but when a good idea becomes an
organized effort, great things begin to happen.
The Lions Project for Canine Companions for Independence (LPCCI)
started out that way - a good idea for Lions to help a fledgling
organization in its mission to help people with disabilities.
Many Lions and Lionesses offered their help to CCI before 1981, both
as individuals and through their clubs. The idea of district-wide
support of the program began when Dick Woolf, Cabinet Secretary to
the then District Governor Roger O’Donnell, invited CCI to send a
speaker to District 4-C7’s August 1981 Cabinet Meeting. Lion Don
Webb, who had been personally involved in supporting CCI and wanted
Lions to know about it, assisted in the presentation. The response
was enthusiastic.
After many demonstrations with these highly trained dogs by CCI and
Lion Don, Governor O’Donnell announced his decision to make CCI his
district project for the fiscal year 1981-1982.
In 1982, at the urging of the late Lion Ty Tyree, articles were
drawn up to establish a foundation similar in structure to the Lions
Eye Foundation, with a network of coordinating trustees in every
district, Life Members, Member Clubs, and other forms of support.
After much perseverance, that set of plans became a reality and Lion
Ty became the first president of the Lions Canine Companions
Foundation (soon to be re-named the Lions Project for Canine
Companions for Independence). Lion Ty also became the first Life
Member.
District 4-C7 Governor
John Robak continued the interest in CCI, making it his district
project also, eventually becoming the foundation’s second
president. The Council of Governors of Multiple District Four
(MD-4) sanctioned the foundation in 1983. From there, LPCCI grew to
what it is today.
During the 1990’s, as a result of its fundraising, LPCCI was honored
by CCI with the naming of the CCI Northwest Regional Center Board
Room and the Southwest Regional Center lobby area “The Lions Den”.
LPCCI is currently in the process of raising $100,000.00 to name the
newly opened CCI Northeast Regional Center Board Room “The Lions
Den”.
May 17, 2008, LPCCI celebrated its 25 years of supporting CCI with a
25th Anniversary Celebration Dinner at CCI’s Northwest Regional
Center presided over by LPCCI President Phil Olavarri and attended
by CCI CEO Corey Hudson and CCI National Board Member Jean Schulz.
During these 25 years, LPCCI raised over $2.5 million for CCI and
continues to donate over $100,000.00 each year.
Since its humble beginnings, LPCCI has grown in membership and
support from Lions Clubs in just two states to 32 states across the
nation. Currently LPCCI has 13 Area Directors and 63 Trustees
working to create awareness and provide support for CCI. Lions and
Lions Clubs contribute to LPCCI through Life Memberships, Club
Memberships, awards, sponsorships, fundraising, puppy raising, and
volunteering. Our goal is to have representation and support in all
50 states across the nation.
