AUGUST 2014
LIONS CLUB RECEIVES “GREEN STAR� AWARD Tri-County Lions Club President Ray Valentine presented the District Green Star Award to Immediate Past President Keith McCord. The award, established by Immediate Past District Governor Mike McDonough, recognizes the club's increased contributions for Lion Year 2013-2014. Congratulations for a job well done! 2013-14 President Keith McCord receives the framed award from President Ray Valentine.
HAVE YOU READ THE LION MAGAZINE THIS MONTH? Take Me Out to the Ballgame, written by Jennifer Gilbert Gebbhart, assistant editor, discusses ways social outings can be used to strengthen the Lions' team, and features several familiar faces in the accompanying illustration. The article, focusing on club improvement, features the Tri-County Lions Club's annual picnic and ballgame. In addition to print copies, the magazine may be viewed online at lionsmagazine.org. The article appears in the July/August 2014 edition on page 47.
2013-14 PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY THE CLUB
In the pie chart above, the largest single donation was $1,024 to the District's projects supported by White Cane Days collections. These funds are “passed through”--that is, once they are collected during White Cane Days fundraising in October, they are sent to the District 12-N Charities and then to the projects involved. These projects include Lions Volunteer Blind Industries, East Tennessee Lions Eye Bank, Tennessee School for the Deaf and Tennessee School for the Blind, Leader Dogs for the Blind,and more. The next largest project of the club, and very close to what was funded by White Cane Days, is the purchase of eye exams and glasses, this past year totaling $966. We sent $500 to “Operation Paycheck” at Lions Volunteer Blind Industries in Morristown, a fund the Club has supported since it was established by LVBI. $200 went to Live-It Ministries for the one-time project to replace a home for a local disabled vet; $450 went to “On My Own” in Sevier County Schools; and Lions Clubs International Foundation received $250. Smaller amounts went to Friends of the Seymour Library to fund the Summer Reading Program ($200), Easter Baskets for Senior Lions friends and family members Citizens ($185), and ETSU's new Lions Club ($85). The help prepare the seniors' Easter StudentVolunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (not shown baskets. above) was a recipient of a small donation of $50 for a student providing services overseas. Also not shown, but still a reflection of the giving spirit of Lions members, are individual's gifts to organizations like CROSS, youth sports, the District's Day With the Lions, Alzheimers Tennessee, and numerous others. As the committee prepares the budget for this year, let's commit to supporting the fundraising efforts to make generous giving possible. White Cane Day fundraising is being planned now for the October event. Plan to help out. “We Serve”!
“THE MORE WE GIVE, THE RICHER WE BECOME!” TIM RICHARDSON SPEAKER & AUTHOR INSPIRES LIONS “If you think big things, big things can happen,” said Tim Richardson, noted speaker and author at the August 11 meeting. We need to “think about the abundance of what we have,” and pass it on to the next generation. “It is not up to the politicians!” he noted; rather, “the more we give, the richer we become.” We should involve ourselves in something not about ourselves. He commented, we should “turn adversity into an advantage.” Find the blessing in a bad situation. Tim is the author of Jump Starts: Wit and Wisdom to Super Charge Your Day, and will be the opening keynote speaker at the 2014 USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum next month in Puerto Rico. He is the father of six, and Ava, one of his children, accompanied him to the meeting at Connie's Kitchen.
For more detailed information about the USA/Canada forum, go online to: usacanadalionsforum.org
LAZY HAZY CRAZY DAYS OF SUMMER: The August 25 Tri-County Lions meeting will be a picnic at the residence of Lion Connie Emmons. She will be providing a meat, and others attending will bring a covered dish. She also noted swimwear would be appropriate. Location is 7701 Rollen Road, at the corner with Kimberlin Heights.
WELCOME NEW MEMBER ROB WEBB: Robert A. “Rob” Webb submitted his application for membership. Rob is sponsored by Lion Keith McCord. He is Vice President of Operations for Priority Ambulance, and his wife is Angie. Welcome! TREASURER'S REPORT SUMMARY: Lion Judy Moffett reported the Project Account balance is $3,065. Administration Account balance is $228 (all District, Multi-District, and Lions Clubs International dues have been paid for the period July 1-December 31, 2014). Savings Account balance is $950. EYEGLASSES REPORT: Lion Paul Boyer reported two eye exams and glasses were approved so far in August. That brings the total for the Lion Year beginning in July to three.
WHITE CANE DAYS PLANNING: Fundraising for White Cane Days is tentatively scheduled for October 11. We will set up at the intersection of Boyds Creek Road and Chapman Highway, in front of Connie's Kitchen, possibly at Krogers and other locations. White Cane Days funding supports numerous Lions District 12-N projects. Thanks to Lion Richard Russell for lots of preliminary work, and for meeting with the Volunteer Fire Department, so scheduling won't present a conflict.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE: •
• •
Live-It Ministries, a local non-profit “taking the Bible out of the box” is preparing to work on a home in the near future, and will be needing help. This is a good way to serve the less fortunate, and there are many ways for volunteers to help. We will have more information available as the project comes to fruition. Tri-County Lions partnered with Live-It last year providing both volunteer hours and financial assistance as they built a new home for a disabled veteran in desparate need. The local high school football team is in dire need of additional funds and is working to come up with a date for a fundraising event with Connie's Kitchen and the Lions. Serving youth is a key service area of the Lions “Strengthen the Pride” effort this year. In the near future, Lions will be cleaning the Chilhowee School Road again. We anticipate a firm date for the workday at the August 25 meeting. This environmental service project is one of the key areas of the International President, Joe Preston, to “Strengthen the Pride”.
Tim Richardson recently reminded us to use our skills, our gifts, our talents, in service to others. We will be richer for it.