SEPTEMBER 2014
“BREAKFAST BOWL” TO SUPPORT EAGLES FOOTBALL Tuesday, September 23, from 5:00-8:00pm, the Seymour High School Football Team fundraiser at Connie's Kitchen will raise some much needed funds to help support the team this year. Tri-County Lions are planning to arrive as early as 4:00pm to help get ready. Lions will be working in the kitchen, and the members of the football team will be serving customers. Did you know studies show that when young people participate in service, they are more likely to continue on a pathway of lifelong civic engagement? Engaging youth is a key focus of the Centennial Service Challenge of Lions Clubs International as LCI nears 100 years of service. The $5.00 cost includes pancakes, sausage, bacon, and drink—thus, the “Breakfast Bowl” name. In addition to helping in the kitchen and encouraging others to support the event, the Tri-County Lions are also covering additional expenses that may not be covered by donations. Tickets for the fundraiser are available from members of the Seymour High School football team, and are also available at the door. Invite your friends and neighbors to come out and support the team!
A “HAPPY - HAPPY - HAPPY” SHOUT OUT TO MORGAN-After Morgan (Lion Connie Emmon's granddaughter) particpated in a recent Debate/Forensics competition held at Wake Forest University as a member of the Seymour High School Debate team, she was interviewed by the local Seymour Herald newspaper! She participated in the Public Forum Debate category. Though this was her first such experience, she and her teammate won their first round. Students from all across the country attend the Wake Forest debates each year. Her debate teacher is Danielle Smallwood. We are so very proud of Morgan and wish her continued success! ...And...Happy 15th Birthday Morgan!
NEED HELP FINDING CURRENT INFO ABOUT TRI-COUNTY LIONS CLUB? When inviting others to come with you to a Lions Club meeting, it sometimes helps to have a go-to source for information about the Club. While we've printed brochures, these can get out of date quickly. A good, and usually up-to-date source for club information is the Tri-County Club's website. Just point your browser to: http://www.kmmoffett.net/weserve . Better yet, bookmark it.
YOU SAW TIM (aka IDA) HERE FIRST Tim Richardson, who made two recent presentations at TriCounty Lions Club meetings, opened the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum before thousands of Lions in Puerto Rico and received a double standing ovation. On his Facebook page, he noted: “Humbled and honored by your response and thankful for the GREAT work you do in North America Lions Clubs International!” At right, above, appearing as Ida (remember Ida? —of course you do), he is shown with Tennessee's own, Second Vice President of Lions Clubs International, Lion Bob Corlew. The photos were taken in Puerto Rico by Lion Austin Prabhu, editor of MD 1 (Illinois) and District 1A Newsletters, who graciously consented to their use in this publication.
DISTRICT 12-N WHITE CANE DAYS FUN-DRAI$ER OCTOBER 11: White Cane Days is October 11. As usual (and weather permitting), we will set up at the intersection of Boyds Creek Road and Chapman Highway, at Connie's Kitchen, and elsewhere. Kroger has yet to be confirmed, though we have collected there in the past. White Cane Days funding supports Lions Volunteer Blind Industries, East Tennessee Lions Eye Bank, Tennessee Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, Leader Dog School, and more.
FUNDRAISING PROJECT IDEAS As planning continues for this year, the Club recognizes the need to come up with new and innovative ways to raise funds so the Lions can keep up with the community needs that come up, particularly in providing eye exams and glasses. Here are some ideas to consider, some tried in the past, some entirely new to this club. • Downtown Street Festival: Lenoir City Parks and Recreation partners with the Lenoir City Lions Club for a street festival that includes a classic car show, live music, arts and crafts, and food vendors. It takes place in the Historic Downtown. Vendors sign up ahead of time. • Carnival: The Morristown Lions Club conducts an annual carnival with Forever Young Amusements, 1685 Mallard Circle, Conley, GA 30288, contact John Young at 678-414-8572. Another provider is Gold Medal Shows, PO Box 249, The Rock, GA 30285.(770) 3580029. • GoKart and/or Lawnmower Races: This would require partnering with a facility like 411 Motor Speedway (or even just a large empty parking lot). • Music Festival and/or Battle of the Bands: Partner with a facility with a suitable auditorium or outdoor space, then invite local bands, singers, and/or other entertainers. • Car Show: “We've done it successfully before; we could do it again!” This event requires a large and visible parking area. Businesses could sponsor category trophies. Entry fees are usually $10-15 in advance. Several area Lions Clubs sponsor car shows. Morristown Lions Club has the largest show in this area. Would Smokies Stadium in Kodak make their parking lot available in the off-season? • Yard Sale: Location is the key. We are aware of CNB offering their parking area to nonprofits(at their Strawberry Plains location). This is the Club's bank. There might be a partnership possibility. • Dance-a-Thon: How about something radically different? (This would require an appropriate space, a DJ, chaperones(?), and prizes awarded throughout the event to those still dancing...or how would you suggest? An outdoor summer event, under the stars, could add to the fun. This is similar to summer dancing in the park sponsored by the Charlestown, WV Lions Club years ago. • Car Wash: Here's an opportunity to partner with a school or church group. Or go it alone. • For the Birds: Deliver a couple of fake pink flamingos to a donor’s yard and leave a note explaining the cause and asking for a donation to “replant” the flamingos in the yard of the next “victim” the first donor designates. It is different. • Coin Jar or Can: Leave with a business or friend for them to fill with change, then return. A label reminds them of the purpose of the collection. • Throw: Design and sell a throw featuring local landmarks. Contact Liberty Logos, PO Box 532, Bridgeton, NC 28519-0532, 252-671-7325, or Ty Mawr Classics, 304-615-1124. • Food Concessions: Provide easy-to-fix food items (hot dogs, nachos, hamburgers, and soft drinks) for local events. Lots of events bring in commercial food vendors. However, lots of folks would prefer to buy from a local nonprofit. The Johnson City Metro Lions Club was successful doing this for many years at holiday events, open houses, business events, and the like, eventually working in a permanent building at a large regional fair. Caramel apples, pizzas, and polish sausages were popular.
PICNIC PIX Thanks to Lion Connie Emmons for hosting the picnic August 25. And we have the pictures!