Lion Magazine
May 1, 2019

Club News – May 2019

Hot Springs Village Evening Lion Lynne Harkleroad is surprised when she opens one of the club’s new drop boxes for eyeglasses in Arkansas.

The Hot Springs Village Evening Lions in Arkansas celebrated their 45th anniversary and decided to improve their efforts to collect eyeglasses. They designed two eye-catching drop boxes that give community members an easy opportunity to donate to the cause.

David “Bud” Davis Jr., a Lion for 66 years and the last remaining charter member of the Cecilton Lions Club in Maryland, was honored by his club with his own bench.

The Meridian Lions Club in Idaho took on 100 service projects to commemorate LCI’s 100th anniversary. It took a year and a half to complete them. Among the many projects members completed was the sewing of “cuddle cloths” for newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit at the hospital. Lions also raised money to donate to the YMCA, and held their annual summer rodeo to support other efforts.

In New York the Wheatfield Lions celebrated the end of a productive 2018—a year that included their first Picnic for the Blind, a community opioid forum, a Service Groups Steak Night to honor US and Canadian Lions as well as other groups like Rotary and Kiwanis, a pancake breakfast, and numerous service projects.

In Massachusetts the Westport Lions worked with high school student Cabot Priestner to raise $1,525 for the Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund and also collected more than 1,000 used eyeglasses to support the Lions Recycle For Sight program. Priestner, who is colorblind, received his first pair of EnChroma eyeglasses, and wants to help improve vision for others.

The Wyandotte Lions Club of Kansas donated US$25,000 to the Kansas City Kansas Community College for scholarships.

Past District Governor Dave Sampson received a Diamond Centennial Award at the Avon Grove Lions Club meeting in Pennsylvania.

In Illinois the Morris Lions purchased a new refrigerator/ freezer for the Illinois Food Pantry and have made regular visits to help keep the pantry stocked. Lions also took on a rehab project at Santa’s House, replacing the roof and cupola, painting, and making numerous interior improvements.

Morris Lion Steve Clark works on the rehab of Santa’s House in Illinois.

The Westerville Lions Club in Ohio was honored by the City Council for 90 years of service to their community.

The Stillwater Noon Lions in Oklahoma checked the vision of 1,249 students in Stillwater schools. More than 120 students were referred to an eye specialist.

The Bench Lions in Idaho were educated about diabetes when a registered dietitian spoke to the club. The club also distributed gift bags to children with cancer at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital.

Therapy dog JP sports his new Lion vest while visiting patients at the Southern Ocean Medical Center. The vest was a gift from the Stafford Township Lions Club in New Jersey.

The Waterloo Lions Club in Illinois took home a Governor’s Hometown Award for volunteerism and community service. Since 1991 the Lions have served hundreds at their “Share the Feast” annual Thanksgiving meal, free to anyone wishing to join them at the table. Each year the number of guests grows.

In Maryland the Thurmont Lions Club raises money for charity each Christmas when Lions Doug Favorite and Don Kenney decorate their home with more than 200 trees and host house tours and dinner fundraisers. The Lions also collect food there for the homeless veterans’ shelter in Washington D.C.

The Montebello Lions Club of California, in partnership with the City of Montebello, replaced the LCI street signs at 11 major entry points to the city.

Five Lions from the Snellville Lions Club in Georgia go every week to the Georgia Lions Lighthouse to sort, wash, test and package eyeglasses for distribution to U.S groups going on mission trips abroad. The club has multiple fundraising activities each year including pecan sales, Snellville Days, and an annual golf tournament.