The Heart of Service Beats On

Arishya Aggarwal was concluding her talk at the 2023 Lions District 5M13 convention when a voice called from the back of the room: “Why aren’t you already a Lion?”.

The young community leader laughed along with everyone else, but inside something shifted. “I stood there, holding the microphone and felt something click into place,” she said.

That one moment sparked what would become a movement to revive the Portage la Prairie Lions Club in Manitoba, Canada.

A community cornerstone

For more than 87 years, the Portage la Prairie Lions Club has been a steadfast pillar of the community. Its name and spirit are woven into the town’s fabric from the Lions Prairie View Elementary School to its sponsorship of local sports teams, vision-screening programs and events that bring residents together year after year.

“This club was one of two 85-plus year charters in our district,” said Past District Governor Cheryl McKitrick, a Lion for 48 years. “For decades, they were well known for donating money to worthy causes, organizing food drives, helping at senior homes and supporting community building projects.”

While many communities rely on Lions clubs to provide these types of services, the need in Portage la Prairie is particularly great.

“Our city has a high poverty rate,” said Portage la Prairie Mayor Sharilyn Knox. “And the Lions focus on the needs of the citizens, such as ensuring food security with food drives and assisting seniors with shoveling snow and mowing lawns.”

Today, the club remains dedicated to carrying forward its proud legacy of service, but dwindling resources have taken their toll. By 2024, membership had fallen to six — four short of the 10 required to maintain a charter — placing the club’s future in jeopardy.

Along comes Aggarwal

Aggarwal — a driven Canadian leader known for her civic engagement and community revitalization work — was honored by the Lions’ invitation to speak at the 2023 District 5M13 convention. Though unfamiliar with the organization, the opportunity sparked her curiosity.

Her family had moved to Portage la Prairie when she was a child. Growing up, she witnessed the community’s strong tradition of volunteerism, but didn’t realize how much her local Lions club contributed to that spirit until she found herself surrounded by Lions at the convention.

When she learned the club was at risk of closure, it stirred something inside her. She couldn’t stand by and watch decades of dedication and valuable service fade away. With unwavering determination, she pledged to inject new energy into the club and carry its legacy forward.

A fresh start in motion

Aggarwal’s first step was to commit fully by joining the club. At just 21, she was inducted as the youngest member in District 5M13, a milestone that marked both personal pride and the start of a larger mission. From there, the club turned to their district’s leadership team for guidance.

“We didn’t want to lose 87 years of community service,” Club President Rob Martin explained. “So we reached out to the district for help.”

District leaders were quick to step in, exploring how they could best support the club.

“We discovered the Club Rebuild Program,” said District Governor Kevin Stebeleski. “It provides up to two years to recruit new members and restore club vitality without losing the original charter.” The program bought the club time, but Aggarwal and the other Portage la Prairie Lions knew they needed to get to work — and fast.

The club’s growth strategy was simple: show up where they were needed. By focusing on meaningful, visible service in their community, they hoped others who shared the same spirit of giving would see their work, recognize its impact and be inspired to join them. The more service they could do the more visible they’d become.

District leaders rolled up their sleeves and worked right alongside the club.

“We did a lot of promotions and campaigns to get new members,” said McKitrick. “I spoke at some events as well to encourage people to become Lions.”

The power of ten

On October 14, 2025, the club hit its first major milestone in its revival efforts by welcoming its 10th member — Jack Charles — and securing its charter. Jack was a Lion many years ago but stepped away when life became busy. Seeing the club’s renewed spirit inspired him to return.

“I’m proud to say they have grown to 10 active members and are once again serving their community with renewed energy and purpose,” said Stebeleski. “This effort demonstrates the power of teamwork within our district — when clubs face challenges, we step up, work together and help each other continue the Lion mission.”

But this is just the club’s first major step in reviving the historic club. To continue their growth, they know they must find a way to be relevant today.

“Lions must evolve with the world,” Aggarwal said. “We asked ourselves simple but important questions: What does our community need right now? How can our Lions fill those gaps with compassion and practicality? Those needs will change — and we’ll adapt.”

Coming home to service 

Over the past two years, the Portage la Prairie Lions have not only worked to rebuild their club — they’ve rediscovered who they are.

And for Aggarwal, that journey has been deeply personal. In becoming a Lion, she says she didn’t simply join an organization; she came home to who she’d always been.