Story of the Week: Four-Legged Lions’ Mascot Earns His Keep at Fundraisers

 

May 18, 2012

 

by lionsclubsorg

Fundraising can be a chore for many of our clubs. But when you make an effort to keep the fun in your fundraisers, everyone benefits. This is the secret to success of the Lake Saint Louis Lions Club in Missouri. With the assistance of the club’s mascot, a 1-year old Golden Pyrenees puppy, their fundraisers have happily gone to the dogs.

Winston Niles Rumfoord dons a homemade lion costume before hitting the town. The dog’s owner, Lion John Ratcliff, says Winston helps the club collect four times as much money.

“He engages the public,” Ratcliff said. “He makes it more fun. He makes it more fun for me because I’m basically providing entertainment.”
Ratcliff rescued the dog when he was just six weeks old. Winston didn’t require any special training for the task, which includes wearing a mane Ratcliff made by cutting up a giant stuffed animal.
“We get such a reaction from everybody, the kids especially,” Ratcliff says. “Everybody falls in love with him; he’s a sweet dog.”