Club News - Jan 2020

Members of the Portage Lions Club in Michigan drove to Ohio and delivered plastic pill bottles to Matthew 25: Ministries. Roughly 396 gallons of pill bottles collected by Lions in District 11-B2 were kept out of landfills.

Florence Evening Lions Club President Whalon Hilley pinned the Lions badge on granddaughter Lion Natalie Shealy. As a child she accompanied him to meetings, fundraising events, and Lion activities. Shealy told her grandpa she wanted to be a Lion someday. She is the Leo club advisor at West Florence High School in South Carolina.

The Boise Bench Lions in Idaho staffed the Found Kids Booth at the Western Idaho Fair where 1,290 kids got a numbered armband as Lions recorded the contact information for their parents or guardians. If a child got separated from the adults, he or she could go to security staff or any vendor who would take them to the Found Kids Booth.

The Doylestown Lions Club in Pennsylvania is planning a dinner to celebrate their 75th anniversary in the spring of 2020. Over 75 years the club has become entrenched within the community, supporting various organizations. The club began with 20 members in 1945 and by the 1970s had grown to include 150 active members.

In Texas, the Brazoria Lions Club was visited by Aaron Heath who came to thank members for sponsoring her in this year’s Lions diabetic camp. Because of the camp, she said, she no longer feels like she is fighting diabetes alone.

In Minnesota, the Burnsville Lions Club assisted with their town’s annual International Festival, celebrating the many cultures that make up their global community.

In Ontario, Canada, the Thorndale Lions Club continues offering Lions Club Friendship Arches to other clubs. The 6-foot, 300-pound arches stand as a symbol of friendship and commitment between Lions and their community.

For info: mpink@start.ca

In Maryland, the Leonardtown Lions celebrated the 95th birthday of Lion George Guy who has had perfect attendance at Lions meetings for 70 years.

The Weidman Lions in Michigan honored members Karlis Greizis, Richard Donley, and Ted Bailey as they received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award.

In Pennsylvania, the Tunkhannocks Lions with the help of a Lions Quest grant, funded materials for the Lions Quest program focusing on social and emotional learning in grades K through 6 at the Tunkhannock Area School District.

The Salisbury Lions in New Brunswick, Canada, recognized members Ross Alexander and Sydney Douthwright who received the Melvin Jones Award.

Five Lions clubs in California got together to host the 11th annual Lions Clubs Golf Tournament in September, raising funds for three charities that provide assistance for those with impaired sight or blindness. Banning-Centennial Lions, Calimesa Breakfast Lions, Grand Terrace Lions, Highland Lions, and Yucaipa Valley Lions developed this year’s event. Net proceeds of US$15,311 were split between Guide Dogs of the Desert, KidSight USA, and California Lions Friends in Sight.

In Missouri, the Smithville Lions enjoyed a presentation by member Cliff Amos at the Kansas City Zoo. Amos is a master naturalist who travelled to Uganda.

Correction:
In the Fall issue, the clubs celebrating their 25-year anniversaries in November were incorrectly identified. Those clubs are: 25 Years: Higbee, Mo.; Bergen Hispanic-American, N.J.; Brownsville Border, Texas; Chequamegon, Wis. We regret this error.