Club News - Dec 2019

Every year, the Sale Creek Lions in Tennessee host the Kids’ Christmas Party with Santa. Children’s names are submitted by teachers. Santa gives each child a new coat, shoes, and an outfit of clothes, plus toys. Families receive a basket of fruit and boxes of groceries, and each child receives a large framed picture of their visit with Santa. The club buys toys and clothes, plus fruit and groceries. Area churches chip in for groceries, and local citizens fill a barrel with new toys.

The Up County 88 Lions in California had an Omelet Dinner and Raffle for US$15 per person. Proceeds benefitted community service, and guests were asked to bring items to be recycled.

In Pennsylvania, the McKeesport Lions Club partnered with the city to present free concerts each Sunday evening in the summer. Members of the club built the band shell in the 1930s. The series finished up Labor Day weekend with a ribfest featuring multiple concerts each day and culminating with fireworks.

Past District Governor David Hunsberger and the Avon Grove Lions in Pennsylvania welcomed three new members to the club.

The King Lions Club was named Nonprofit Organization of the Year for California Assembly District 32. The Lions club is the only service club to be chosen out of 72,000 active nonprofits in the state of California.

The Orchard Park Lions in New York held their 25th annual Quaker Days Cars & Motorcycle Show and Cruise in the heart of their village, raising money for good causes. The Lions also awarded scholarships to five Orchard Park students.

The Centennial Airport Lions Club of Colorado has been serving hamburgers, hot dogs, and brats from a lunch stand next to the Air Traffic Control Tower at Centennial Airport for 16 years. Every Friday through the summer, four to six Lions serve an average of 50 customers during the lunch period. In December, the proceeds are donated to various Lion organizations and charities at the club’s Christmas breakfast.

In Massachusetts, the Fairhaven Lions prepare, plant, and maintain the Memorial Gardens at Fairhaven Senior Center. All produce is given to the seniors. Lions also prepped the bocce court this summer, cleaned picnic tables and chairs, and then had a game of competitive bocce, pitting Lion men against Lion women. Sympathies to the male Lions. A rematch will follow.

In Oregon, The Dalles Lions cooked breakfast and lunch at the Car Show in the Shade, and then Lunch at The Dallesport Drags, all part of Neon Cruise Weekend. They sold 486 burgers, 100 hotdogs, and 160 kielbasas in addition to nachos, drinks, and ice cream.

In California, the Lemon Grove Lions hosted two Lion Youth Exchange Students from Japan who had a chance to greet other Lions at a summer meeting.

In Illinois, the Streator Hardscrabble Lions wanted to do something different. With the financial support of the community, they raised US$25,000 to build the Hardscrabble Lions Dog Park. A “Yappy Hour” kicked off fundraising. Club members donated their time and expertise to build a shelter, put in benches, and add landscaping. With separate sides for large dogs and small dogs, the park includes water fountains for pets and humans, and is open dawn to dusk year round.

IN MEMORIAM
Past International Director Robert G. “Bob” Tonjes died on August 21, 2019. He was 90 years old. PID Tonjes became a Lion in 1956 and was a charter member of the Prairie Village Lions Club. When they disbanded in 2012 after 50 years of service, he joined the Overland Park Host Lions in Kansas. He served as international director from 1987 to 1989. After graduation from Valparaiso University in Indiana he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served four years with the Air Force Auditor General, including one year in Greenland. His many Lion awards include two Contributing Membership Bronze awards, three Presidential awards, and the Ambassador of Good Will, the highest award presented to a Lion. The late past director enjoyed a career with Kansas City Power & Light Co. In 1961, he met Lorraine Pritchard on a blind date. They were married for 57 years.

IN MEMORIAM
Past International President Everett J. “Ebb” Grindstaff, a prominent and beloved lifelong citizen of Ballinger, Texas, died on July 8, 2019. He was 88. An attorney in his hometown, he joined the Ballinger Lions in 1956 and served as international president from 1982 to 1983. He traveled to 50 countries and met hundreds of influential leaders including five U.S. presidents and Pope John Paul II. He received the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor bestowed upon Lion members, is a Melvin Jones Fellow, a Jack Welch Fellow of the Lions Camp, a Texas Lions Foundation Fellow, and received numerous other awards including the Dr. Charles Best Award from the American Diabetes Association, the highest award of that association. PIP Grindstaff wrote two books, “LION Crossing the Sinai,” and “Texas Lions Celebrating 100 Years,” and he was working on a biography when he died.

IN MEMORIAM
PID Enrique Estefan Fadul Past International Director Enrique Estefan Fadul died on Sept. 2, 2019. He was 88. PID Fadul joined the Tenjo Lions Club 64 years ago and in 1958 chartered the Bogota Norte Lions Club in Columbia. He held many offices at the club and district level, twice serving as a district governor. He was recognized by many as a leading proponent of Lions in Columbia for many years. For his dedication, the past international director was recognized with numerous awards including the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor bestowed upon association members. The late past international director was proud of the success of the rehabilitation center for hearing and speech-impaired children sponsored by his Lions club. He served as its director for 38 years, supporting the children in need and their families.