Volume 86, Issue 6 December 2008 Governor’s Message Dear Fellow Lions, Here we are five months into this Lions Year, nearing halfway in this Lions Year. We have accomplished many things already with a great number of opportunities still in front of us. At the end of this month we will select a winner from among the Peace Poster entries. We have completed two rounds of Region Meetings and our Fall Conference. Planning is underway for our Governors Ball and the State Convention. Lions are busy in our communities performing service and being Everyday Heroes in the lives that they touch. The Holiday Season is upon us. Consider Ebenezer Scrooge. An individual who lived his life never looking beyond his own interests. Never seeing the need that existed in the world that surrounded him. A person so self centered that he had locked everyone out of his life including his own family. Then one Holiday season he was visited by three spirits. These spirits opened his eyes so that he could see the need, his heart so that he would help address the need, and his soul so that he could receive the gift that comes back to us when we give. How is your Holiday Spirit? I expect that you are all the post-visit version of Ebenezer. Keep looking outward into your communities. Look out to see what need exist and then look inward to see if you can address those needs. You never know how much good you can accomplish until you start to try. Yours in Lionism, Lion Doug
Transcript
Volume 86, Issue 6 December 2008 Governor’s Message
Dear Fellow Lions, Here we are five months into this Lions Year, nearing halfway in this Lions Year. We have accomplished many things already with a great number of opportunities still in front of us. At the end of this month we will select a winner from among the Peace Poster entries. We have completed two rounds of Region Meetings and our Fall Conference. Planning is underway for our Governors Ball and the State Convention. Lions are busy in our communities performing service and being Everyday Heroes in the lives that they touch. The Holiday Season is upon us. Consider Ebenezer Scrooge. An individual who lived his life never looking beyond his own interests. Never seeing the need that existed in the world that surrounded him. A person so self centered that he had locked everyone out of his life including his own family. Then one Holiday season he was visited by three spirits. These spirits opened his eyes so that he could see the need, his heart so that he would help address the need, and his soul so that he could receive the gift that comes back to us when we give. How is your Holiday Spirit? I expect that you are all the post-visit version of Ebenezer. Keep looking outward into your communities. Look out to see what need exist and then look inward to see if you can address those needs. You never know how much good you can accomplish until you start to try.
Yours in Lionism,
Lion Doug
Page 2 of 20
Governors Schedule Achievement, Traveling Leo, Membership Reports Various Lions Club Activities Reports 15th Annual Battlefield Run for Sight 2008-2009 Environmental Photo Contest Global Membership Team (GMT) 2008 Fall Conference Report & Pictures Projects Without Signage Helen Keller Christmas Story Sight & Hearing Van News Lions Serving in San Miguel, Mexico
DDeecceemmbbeerr 22000088 6th – Visit to Burkeville Lodge for the Visually Impaired 24th – Oasis Homeless Food Bank – Governor Volunteers
JJaannuuaarryy 22000099 7th – Cradock Lions Club – Official Visit 8th – York Lions Club – Official Visit 9th – 10th – State Convention Pre-Planning Session To be continued in January issue…….
November report 2008-2009
Club Name # visits Points Qualified for patch
Chesapeake Host 1 37.50 Churchland 2 54.50 Craddock 2 60.00 Hampton Roads 1 30.00 James City 2 82.00 Kempsville 4 49.50 Lancaster Cnty 3 83.00 Little Creek 1 31.50 Middlesex Cnty 1 27.50 Norview 1 37.50 Newport News 1 30.00 Oceanside 2 60.00 Poquoson 5 99.00 Princess Anne 2 75.00 Richmond Cty 1 55.00 Southside 10 247.50 Thalia 6 210.00 Yes VA Bch Town Cntr 1 26.00 Western Branch 4 110.50 Woodstock 2 75.00 York 5 110.00
Please edit the following in your District Directory:
The Williamsburg Host Lions Club President, Lion Sam Mickelberg has e-mail. His address is: [email protected]
Please DELETE the Hampton Roads Club (page 22)
Please ADD the following: Williamsburg New Town Lions Club Chartered July 22, 2008 Sponsored by Williamsburg Center Street Grill Center Street & Court Street Williamsburg, VA 2nd & 4th Wednesday - Noon - No Social
President Coleman Ragsdale 4811 Courthouse St Williamsburg, VA 23188 757-254-1965 [email protected] Secretary Nicole Jerry 101 Millview Circle Williamsburg, VA 23185 757-345-0571 [email protected]
Submit changes to the directory to District 24-D Secretary
George Papadakis Lion Frederick Jackson Hampton Mercury Lions Club Charles Felix Lion Frank Wheless Northampton Lions Club York Doerr James City County Lions Club Earl Kleiser James City County Lions Club Thomas Petty Lion McCue Conway Lancaster County Lions Club Charles Brockley Lion Anna Getz Crossroads Lions club Mark McLawhorn DG Douglas Mueller DAC Center Lions Club Sara McLawhorn Lion Darlene Mueller DAC Center Lions Club Robert Stevens Lion Henry Odom Suffolk Lions Club John Wagner Lion James Healy Thalia Lions Club Brend Dengs Williamsburg Newtown Lions Club Doris Elliott Williamsburg Lions Club Kirsten Elliott Williamsburg Newtown Lions Club Jeffrey Frucht Williamsburg Newtown Lions Club J. Mansisdor Williamsburg Newtown Lions Club Beth Villenave Williamsburg Newtown Lions Club Dawn Clark Lion Diane Clark Windsor Lions Club
Transfers: Drops: from Hampton Roads Lion Club to Hampton Phoebus Lions Club
Oyster Point Mariner Lions Club Richard Brandt
Lion Mary Parker Lion Patricia Parker Lion Samantha Smith Lion Ronald Weade
Jodi Weygand Williamsburg Newtown Lions Club
Randy Casey-Rutl Chris Obie Corina Paulsen Charlene Sullivan York Lions Club John Berryman Jeffrey Lorenzen
Deceased: Charles Cleaver, Jr. - Middlesex County Lions Club
Thank you for many years of service to Lionism
Dear Fellow Lions: Once again it is time to plan to celebrate and honor our Past District Governors and the time is very near!! This year’s ball will be February, 14, 2009 at the Holiday Inn Patriot, 3032 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, Virginia. Room reservations must be made prior to February 4, 2009. Special room rates are $69.00 which includes an All American Breakfast Buffet. Call 757-565-2600 or 1-800-446-6001 to make your reservations TODAY. YOU MUST TELL THEM YOU ARE WITH THE LIONS’ GOVERNOR’S BALL TO RECEIVE THIS RATE. A cash bar will be set up at 6:00 P.M. with dinner to follow at 7:00 P.M. The cost for your registration, the Governor’s Ball pin, dinner and dance will be $40.00. Dinner will consist of a GREAT buffet where you will have several choices. Reservations must be received by February 1, 2009. Make checks payable to District 24-D and reference Governor’s Ball. Send to PDG Debbie Ivey, 14810 Cypress Bank Road, Providence Forge, VA 23140. If you have questions, please call PDG Debbie at 757-406-9433 (cell), 804-966-5870 (home) or 804-966-5870 (work). We will be celebrating not only our Past District Governors but our own country, the great United States of America and all those that have served. We will have special entertainment after dinner and then dance the night away “The Dukes”. There will be a Cabinet meeting at 2:00 P.M. I look forward to seeing you there!! Yours in Lionism, PDG Debbie Ivey
LET’S HONOR OUR PAST DISTRICT GOVERNORS
AND THE GREAT UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA Saturday, February 14, 2009
Holiday Inn Patriot 3032 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA
Cabinet Meeting 2:00 P.M. Cash Bar 6:00 P.M.
Dinner 7:00 P.M.
Buffet Dinner with lots of choices: $40.00 per person Includes: Registration, Governor’s Ball pin, Dinner and Dance
Dress: 40’s, Red, White & Blue, “As you are” or Formal Just be there in something!
SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT
Music and Dancing Following Entertainment by “ The Dukes”
R E S E R V A T I O N S F O R 2 0 0 9 G O V E R N O R ’ S B A L L :
NUMBER ATTENDING:
AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $
NAMES:
TELEPHONE:
LIONS CLUB:
Page 6 of 20
15th ANNUAL YORK LIONS CLUB
BATTLEFIELD RUN FOR SIGHT 2008
Submitted by Lion Sharon Snyder-Bartels York Lions Public Relations
For the past 15 years the York Lions Club have sponsored, organized and successfully conducted the Annual Battlefield Run in Yorktown, VA. The York Lions Co-Chairpersons once again this year were Boots and Bill Wainwright. And to no-one’s surprise, Boots and Bill pulled off a well organized and successful event, Thank you Boots & Bill.
On November 1st, 2008, the Battlefield Run was again held in the Historic Yorktown battlefields Area. The course route is entirely on the Historic Yorktown Battlefield tour roads. It is one of the most beautiful courses in Virginia through scenic views of woods, meadows, fields and creeks. The run starts at the Historic Surrender Field through the beautiful "French Loop" and ends adjacent to the York High School. The course is a USATF certified 10-mile run. The 5K run begins at 8:45 AM and the 10 mile run starts shortly after the 5K finishes at 10:00 AM. The York Lions “official” title is the “Battlefield Run for Sight.”
One of the York Lions objectives is to serve those in our
area who are less fortunate than ourselves. All the proceeds from the Run go back into the community to support sight impaired, hearing, diabetes, local music competition, Youth Outreach, Eyeglass Recycling, Natasha House, Youth Scholarship, After Hours Prom Night and many other charitable community activities just to name a few.
In order to provide support to insure the run is a well organized, smooth, effective and efficient event it takes many volunteers, contributions and sponsors. The Battlefield Run 2008 attracted more than 320 runners ranging from the very young to our “seasoned” citizens and families running together. This year we had several businesses in York County, Hampton and Virginia Beach sponsor the run with their donations.
The donations help pay for the use of the Battlefield Area Park, U.S. Park Service fee, Race Officials which Certified Race Results by the Peninsula Track Club and Post-race awards.
The volunteer turnout was great and greatly appreciated.
Volunteering were: Lisa Maloney, Maj USAF ACC/A7SO, Langley AFB; Anthony & Barbara Wikel, 1st class Petty Officers, United States Coast Guard, Command Center Standardization Team, TRACEN and their young daughter Dominique; York Lions President Grandson, Wilson Kimm; Nancy Hill; Virginia Leonard; Kathy Fisher; Lisa Kimm;
Joanne Woolford; James Jernigan, Brianna Daniel and 27 of the 46 York Lions Club Members. Due to the many volunteers we had every station manned and more water stations along the runners route than we had in the past. The runners were very appreciative to have the additional water stations especially the 10-mile runners.
Runners received tee shirts, fresh fruit, water, trophies, medals and ribbons at the end of the run.
1st Place - Womens1st Place - Mens
Page 7 of 20 Lions from clubs in good standing can enter an original, unaltered, black-and-white
or color photo (without people) of the environment of their Lions club in the following 2008-09 Lions Environmental Photo Contest categories:
Animal Life Landscape (Urban or natural) Plant Life Weather Phenomenon
WHAT IS A BLAND CONTEST? It is a music competition for both Vocal and Instrumental artists sponsored by LIONS for Junior and High School Students. The Princess Anne and Aragona-Pembroke Lions Clubs are holding their 3rd Annual Bland Contest on February 10, 2009 at Kings Grant Presbyterian Church located at 745 Little Neck Road in Virginia Beach, VA. The contest begins at 7:00 pm. If you have never been to one of these contests, you are missing a real treat. You will be amazed at the talent that these students have as they perform for you. There is no charge for this event so please feel welcome to join us that evening for a night of musical enjoyment.
The special annual theme category is: Lions Environmental Miracle Workers - photos of Lions in action implementing
a Lions environment project.
The impartial judging of photos should focus on originality, artistic merit, and portrayal of the environmental theme.
LIONS CLUBS select and submit one winning photo to the district.
LIONS DISTRICTS select and submit one winning photo to the multiple district.
January 15, 2009 is the suggested deadline for districts to submit one 8” x 10” (20.3 x 25.4 cm) printed photo to the multiple district.
LIONS MULTIPLE DISTRICTS select and submit one winning photo to the
international contest. March 1, 2009 is the deadline for multiple districts to submit one 8” x 10” (20.3 x 25.4 cm) printed photograph and an official entry form (available on the Lions Web site) signed by the council chairperson to Lions Headquarters.
LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL will display multiple district-level entries at
the annual Lions international convention. Registered convention attendees will vote for their favorite photos. An award will be presented to the winning photographers. The six (the five category winners and the Best of Show) winning photos will appear on the Lions Web site.
Lion photographers accept responsibility for the cost of taking and processing
all photos. Contest photos become the property of Lions Clubs International.
Lions Clubs International reserves the right to disqualify entries that do not meet
contest criteria or that may be viewed as inappropriate or objectionable.
The Lions of District 24-D held their 2008 Fall Conference at the beautiful Newport News Marriott at City Center on October 24th
and 25th. The 24-D Golf tournament kicked off the conference on Friday followed that evening by Octoberfest, complete with German folk dancing, beer and fun for all Lions attending. Saturday began with morning seminars and the District 24-D Charity Foundation Meeting. At noon on Saturday,24-D Lions enjoyed a luncheon with keynote speaker, Ms. Marie Ringler, the granddaughter of Dale Carnegie, followed by a Cabinet Meeting and a General Session Meeting. PID Lion Scott Storms gave a LCI Special Seminar on "Global Membership" promoted by LCI President Lion Al Brandel. At the Saturday evening banquet, PID Lion Scott Storms delivered a great keynote address.
Ms. Marie Ringler
Marriott Agent Jennifer Morgansen
(left with Gov. ug) presented eglasses collected
from Marriott employees.
Do ye
(Pictured right) PCC Charlie and
Donna Cunningham at Fall Conference
PID Lion Scott Storms and Mrs. Storms PID Lion Scott Storms and 24-D Governor Doug Mueller
present Lion Pat Kerr, Williamsburg Lions Club, the LCI International Presidents Certificate of Appreciation.
Page 11 of 20
FALL CONFERENCE CONTINUED:
The Mathews Lions Club (pictured left) received a 2007-2008 Lions 1st Place Achievement Award from PDG Lion Chet Kramer
(Pictured above) Woodstock Lion Mel Stauffer and wife, Christine, pose for a picture after Lion Mel received recognition at the fall conference for his many years of Lionism.
“The busiest Lions in 24-D”
Fellow Lions,
I would like to wish each and every one of you a very Happy Holiday Season. Now is the time when we have friends and family with us as much as possible and celebrate and enjoy each others company. It is also a time of year that can be very depressing for people with no family or no place to go. Let us always remember the Reason for the Season and not get so caught up in the shopping that we forget those in our community that are in need. Invite that person to dinner that has recently lost a loved one, or that has no family nearby to be with. Ask what you can do to help families have toys for their children if there are no funds to do so within the family unit. Do the Right Thing for the Right Reason. Reach into your clubs treasury and find ways to help those that do not have the money or resources to have a nice
meal during the Christmas Holidays. Let this holiday season reflect our motto, We Serve, even more than usual.
Yours in Lionism, Region III Chairman, Donnie Johnson
Page 12 of 20
Projects Without Signage are Incomplete
Albert F. Brandel, President The International Association of Lions Clubs I’ve seen firsthand some wonderful Lions projects in my travels as international president. But let me tell you about something I have not seen—or at least not enough of. Lions often fail to identify their projects with the Lions logo or signage with a Lions identity. Or they do not wear their vests, which is another way to tell the public who is responsible for the valuable event they are witnessing. Modesty is an admirable trait. But this is really not about modesty. It’s about telling the public how important Lions are to their community. It’s about gaining visibility and making it easier to recruit new members and network with other people and groups in our communities. We perform service because we believe in the value of giving back. But visibility is one of the benefits of community service. Let’s take advantage of that and relish the chance to increase the recognition level of Lions and what we do. Honestly, I think sometimes we don’t take enough pride on who we are and what we do. We’re not “just another community group.” We’re the world’s largest service club. We’re the Knights of the Blind. But we also crucially important to youths, those with disabilities and people affected by disasters. Can you imagine the world without Lions? Or even just your own community? Our miracles of service enable countless people to live more productive and happier lives. Lions are the everyday heroes in our communities who selflessly fill in the gaps not filled by government or charities. In this day and age, cluttered with information and advertisements, it’s more important than ever for Lions to take it upon themselves to publicize our efforts. Innumerable other groups are vying for attention. Our projects should give us a leg up. They touch people’s lives in a deep and lasting way. Let’s not fail to capitalize on our ties to the community and subtly remind people that Lions are one of the best features of their neighborhood. It doesn’t take a lot of time to erect a sign or a plaque. But the sign or plaque could have a lifetime effect on the person who becomes curious about Lions and then decides to join. That person in turn can affect many, many people as a Lion. So please, as a sign of your dedication to Lions, sign up for duty as a promoter of all things, Lions.
Mathews Lions Club your host for the March 10, 2009
RReeggiioonn II MMeeeettiinngg Invites you to join us for another one of our renowned meals
Plus all the other good stuff & ALL YOU CAN EAT
6:00 PM Social - 7:00 PM Dinner Don’t forget the wonderful door prizes!
Place: Piankatank Ruritan Club on Route 198 just outside of Mathews For information call: (804) 725 9536 or (804) 725 3278
Page 13 of 20
Oceanside Lions held a Membership Drive Night following an inspirational program presented by
Lion Al Miller on how easy it is to invite someone to be a Lion. Oceanside Lions brought guests to the meeting and Lion Nancy Cranford spoke on the meaning of Lionism. She reported on the many activities that Oceanside is a part of. Carol Stairs could not believe all the club accomplishes, considering the small number of members. Carol will be assisting at the nursing home tree decorating and party, as a guest of Oceanside Lions. Other guests not pictured were Mariann Blair & Maryann Krop, guests of Lion Jeff Blair.
Oceanside Lions were also invited by Capernaum to assist with the 6th annual Veterans Day Cookout at the countryside shops. Lion Jim Palacio, with the help of Joe Evans & Lion Jeff Blair and Prince provided the music. Pictured below are Lion Mary Saunder, Lion Jeff Blair and guest Mariann Blair. Lions Mary Saunders & John Cranford served food, with the help of guest Mariann Blair. They also brought donations for the Vet house.
Oceanside Lions Club was invited to take part
in the Fall Harvest Festival at Countryside Shops
selling brooms. Lions John and Nancy Cranford participated.
(pictured)
C A R O L S T A I R S
G U E S T O F L I O N N A N C Y C R A N F O R D
C H R I S M O R G A N
G U E S T O F L I O N J I M P A L A C I O
Pictures and article submitted by
Lion Nancy Cranford
Page 14 of 20
““GG--II--VV--EE”” One of the first thoughts American icon Helen Keller was able to express was one of generosity. Helen was eight years old at the time, in only her first year of instruction with her famous teacher Anne Sullivan but was able to spell out the word "give." As the holiday season of 2008 approaches, this story from December 1888 serves as a reminder that reaching out to the disadvantaged can have dramatic results. The details of the story, according to the Joseph P. Lash book "Helen and Teacher" and the American Antiquarian Society, tell of Helen and Ms. Sullivan visiting the houses of several friends for holiday parties. Many of the houses had Christmas trees as centerpieces, and Ms. Sullivan would have Helen touch the trees, spelling the letters of "Christmas tree" into the young girl's hand each time. Ms. Sullivan had been teaching Helen about the holiday season, including the exchange of well wishes and gifts, and at one house Helen met a girl who did not have a present. After a few moments of reflection, Helen smiled and spelled into Ms. Sullivan's hand that she wished to share with the girl. Helen chose to give the girl an ornate mug, one of her most
prized gifts, displaying a glimpse of the heroically altruistic woman she would become. As she grew older, Helen Keller became a champion for all disadvantaged people, particularly those suffering from loss of sight or hearing. Ms. Keller did the majority of her international campaigning under the auspices of the American Foundation for Overseas Blind, dedicated to fighting preventable blindness, now known as Helen Keller Worldwide. The mission of the organization, which in 2008 completed ninety-three years of serving the visually impaired, is to "save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable people in the human family."
“The only real blind person at Christmas time is he who has not Christmas in his heart.”- Helen Keller
Paper money discriminates
against the blind
ASSOCIATED PRESS – WASHINGTON: Close your eyes, reach into your wallet and try to distinguish between a $1 bill and a $5 bill. Impossible? It's also discriminatory,
a federal appeals court ruled on May 20, 2008. Read the complete online article published in USA TODAY
BUSY! BUSY! BUSY! The Virginia Beach Central Lions Club donated a truck load of orange juice, fruit drinks and milk to the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center (JCOC) which houses 50 full time residents and feeds many more every evening. Later, 48 pounds of chicken and other assorted food stuffs were delivered to the JCOC and was cooked within 2 days. Lion President Scott Freeman visited the Cloverleaf Apartments, part of non-profit Virginia Supportive Housing, a 60 room homeless shelter in Virginia Beach that opened less than a month ago, pictured below. The Virginia Beach Central Lions Food/Shelter Committee, Lions Scott Freeman, Anthony Imperioli, Sandra Tatem and Alton Miller will be visited the facility the following Monday to
determine where they could best SERVE. A complete report will follow. Current needs are for rent, medications, bus passes, work uniforms and other basic needs. Kitchen items needed are pots and pans, dishes (plates, bowls and mugs), silverware, drinking glasses, can openers, cooking utensils, measuring cups, mixing bowls, serving bowls, baking dishes, sponges, paper towels, dish/kitchen towels, dish drainers, plastic storage containers, dishwashing soap, pot holders, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, trash cans, mops and buckets, dust pans and brooms and cleaning supplies. Apartment items needed are twin sheet sets, bath towels, hand towels, wash cloths, bath mats, pillows, twin bedspreads, twin blankets, laundry baskets, toiletries and toilet paper. Food items needed are pasta, pasta sauce, beans, rice, canned foods (soups, fruits and vegetables), box macaroni and cheese, dry cereal, flour, sugar, peanut butter, jelly, coffee and creamer. For the current 22 residents, the Virginia Beach Central Lions delivered fresh chicken. The Cloverleaf Apartments point of contact for donating kitchen, apartment and food items is Andre at 757-961-4251. The Virginia Beach Central Lions Club is having their annual Citrus Fruit (thru 12/3/08) and Apple Sale Fundraiser (thru 11/23/08). You may contact Lions Al (340-7556), Scott (625-3775) or Sandra 463-4373 for fruit and there will be extra fruit to sell in December. The Virginia Beach Central Lions Club met on November 13, 2008 The speaker was Dennis Smith from the Mortgage Shop, LLC and spoke "Reverse Mortgages" and there was so great a Lions' interest that Lion President Scott had limit the time. Lion Alton Miller sponsored Yita Lui as a new Lion. Lion Alton was presented a "Membership Excellence Award" from Lions Clubs International for recruiting 6 new Lions in Lions Year 2007-2008 and a Thank You Card from the Lions Sight and Hearing Unit of District 24-D, INC by President Lion Scott Freeman. Secretary/Treasurer Lion Karen Arcuri received 100% Secretary's and 100% Treasurer's Awards for Lion's Year 2007-2008. Lion Karen was the only one to receive the 100% Treasurer's Award from District 24-D. PP Lion Don Williams received the 100% President's Award. The Virginia Beach Central Lions Club received the District 24-D and Virginia Lions State Achievement Awards. PDG Lion Chet Kramer presented these at the past November Region III Meeting.
If your club is active and serving the community, please email pictures and articles about your events to Lion Donna Baker, Editor at [email protected]
SSiigghhtt && HHeeaarriinngg VVaann HHaass IIttss UUppss && DDoowwnnss Lion Sol Sherfey, President of LMSHU Inc. One thing that can be said about the Sight & Hearing Van is that it always finds ways to surprise, delight and confound those who work for it! First, the surprise. If your club donates $500 or more, you will get one day’s free use of the van. You must use your free day sometime in the following year from the time we get the donation. This is good for the remainder of this Lion’s year – we’ll decide on next year at our first board meeting in the 2009-10 Lions Year.
I’m pleased to report that we now have 5 clubs pledging their support of our replacement fund for the next ten years. Smithfield has pledged $200 a year and Boykins $300 a year, joining Southside and Mathews at $500 each and Little Creek at $1000. Our drive for pledges to our van replacement is still underway. I will be happy to come to your club and talk about the van, the new efforts we have underway and what the van replacement fund is all about. Our S&H Van exists to help YOU SERVE your communities – you deserve to know what
we’re doing! Give me a call at home (484-7146) or on my cell (535-4776) if you’d like a program on the van. Or email me at [email protected]. How do you pledge to the van?
Send me a letter, or an email, saying that your club wants to pledge and how much you want to contribute annually, and then send your first check to our S&H Van treasurer Lion John Cranford.
How much do you have to pledge?
It’s up to your club. I don’t set an amount – I ask that you contribute what suits your club and treasury. If you’re having trouble picking a number, call me and I’ll try to help.
What do you get for your pledge?
Recognition here in the Knight’s Vision and in my talks around the district. Your name on a special plaque in the new van. If I get my way, achievement points in next year’s achievement program. AND the satisfaction of knowing that you’re sustaining one of the finest expressions of Lionism in our District.
Can individuals pledge or make one-time donations?
Absolutely – we are a 501.c.3 non-profit and your donations will be tax deductible. On the down side, we have had a spat of bad luck with the van. A traffic incident recently caused some extensive damage to the right side of the van, and we haven’t been able to get all the maintenance done that we wanted to before our maintenance budget for the year went flat. Sooo – if your club’s activities fund has a few extra dollars that need to find a good Lion’s home, please think of sending them our way. Make sure you tell us it’s for maintenance, or it will go directly to our van replacement fund as we’ve promised you before. Remember, our CFC number is 65444 on the south side campaign. Make sure all our military members – and our military friends – know about that. Thank you, Lions of 24D, for your loyal support of YOUR Sight & Hearing Van!! .
Page 17 of 20
A first hand account from Lion Vera Boerstler Eyeglass Recycle Chairperson Western Branch Lions Club
“I have been in Mexico for most of the month of September and while I was there I attended the San Miguel de Allende Lion's Club and the San Miguel Eyeglass Clinic. The club is run by Americans who live in San Miguel either all year or part of the year. The meeting was held on September 18 and it was their business meeting. They discussed Fund Raisers for the Club. In the past they have organized trips to different areas and were able to keep some of the money for the club. I took with me (from the Eyeglass Recycle Center in Hampton) 80 pairs of children's eyeglasses and 20 pairs of reading glasses. Some of the reading glasses were given to Mexican people in great need and the rest were donated to the Eyeglass Center there in San Miguel. They were all greatly appreciated.
They are in great need of children's glasses and I was told that they need 400 per year and would even appreciate the frames only. They need 1500 pairs of glasses per year. On the following Thursday, September 25, I went to the Eyeglass Clinic. This is what it's all about, fellow Lions! I was brought to tears watching a Mexican man getting his eyes examined. He looked at the eye chart and, when he was fitted for glasses, he was able to finally see. What a great feeling to be part of that and know that we, (as Lion's), help these people.
Any Mexican can receive glasses by just making an appointment with the clinic if they are able to pay 15 pesos (about $1.50). If they can't, they still get glasses. The clinic is run by American Volunteers and most of them are Lions. They also do Diabetic Testing there.
Lion Vera Boerstler with fellow Lion from San Miguel Lions Club
For more information about the Lions Club in San Miguel de Allende, Gto.,Mexico, visit www.smalions.org.”
