Santa Paws in Hyde Park
2025 Chairs: Lions Larry McLeish and Ray Venancio
Event Treasurer: Lion Micheal Smith
Committee Members: Lion Ray Venancio, Lion Gerard Leyten, Lion Karen Prince, Lion Michael Smith, Lion Rob Harbottle, Lion President Terri Gomes, Lion Richard Joy, Leo President Layla O’Connor, Hyde Park BIA Executive Director Donna Szpakowski, HPBIA Programs, Marketing & Events Lead Ellen McGran, HPBIA Kate Storen, NWLRC Associate Director Amani Radhaa, Gateway Church Director of Operations Matt Koopman, Tom Delaney GM Oxford Dodge, and Corrine Rahman Councilor Ward 7
Santa Seating Area: Lion Mike Muld
Lions Club President: Lion Terri Gomes
Leo Club President: Leo Layla O’Connor
Membership Chair: Lion JoEllen McLeish-Wright
Club Secretary: Lion Pam Harbottle
Club Treasurer: Lion Michael Smith
CEO/General Manager: Donna Szpakowski
Programs, Marketing & Events Lead : Ellen McGran
Marketing Assistant: Kate Storen
The Hyde Park Lions Club in partnership with The Hyde Park BIA are excited to present “Santa Paws” in Hyde Park on November 22nd, 2025.
This event will have several ways for your family to help raise some much-needed resources for the London Food Bank and the Northwest London Resource Centre in a safe and coordinated way. There will be volunteer Elves for collection of food, winter clothing, and toys for the Hyde Park area in a time when the need has been at its most.
In the past year, The Hyde Park & District Lions have made donations to such worthwhile charities as:
- Northwest London Resource Centre
- London Food Bank
- Mission Services
- Eyes Right
- St. Joseph’s Hospice
- Western University Food Bank
- Camp Dorset
- PEPP Family Support Group
- Diabetes Canada
- Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dog Program
– Hyde Park Lions Treasurer Michael Smith
Every planning and working member of the Hyde Park Santa Claus Parade are volunteer
MEDIA CONTACTS
Lion Rob Harbottle, rharbott@uwo.ca or
Matt Koopman, Director of Operations, Gateway Church; mkoopman.gateway@gmail.com