Posts/Blog

President’s Message

Invite A Guest  by David Lambertson

Giving is loving
And loving is giving
If what you are giving
Comes straight from the heart.

When asked to do it
Of course we can do it!
But we only can
When all do their part.

For some it’s Bingo.
For others 9 Health Fair
Kidsight or Glasses.
What else can we start?

No matter which club
Which organization
Workers are needed
So let’s all be smart.

Talk to our neighbors!
Tell them what Lions do.
Are their hearts open?
Are they just like you?

Do they have reason
To help people who need?
Need to see better
Or learn how to read?

Do they have vision?
Have a talent to lead?
Invite them to lunch
And plant a small seed.

People need causes!
Something bigger than “I”.
Belonging becomes
Its own reason why.

Fulfillment becomes
Normal daily routine.
Working to help the
Less fortunate guy.

I often ponder
What exactly I’d do…
Who I’d be helping,
Alone, without you,

Truth is, alone I’d
Be missing my chances
To thank God with work-
And with finances.

I was invited
Once, twice, then a third.
I met some new friends
And then joined the herd.

I joined for reasons
That were crucial to me.
We all have reasons!
What might YOUR guests’ be?

I had two parents,
A fortunate childhood.
We always had clothes
And shelter and food.

I needed glasses
At age ten in fourth grade:
Simply provided
With money Dad made.

Blindness struck Grandma
When I was a youngster.
Lions’ books on records
Were priceless to her.

Guests have their pasts,
And perhaps THEY know why
THEY need our Lions club
Just like you and I.

Maybe they’re grateful.
Maybe they’re willing, too!
They need the format
To give, just like you!

Maybe they hunger
For friendship and fellows.
Given a small taste,
That hunger, it grows.

Invite them to meetings.
And invite them again!
Then let THEM decide…
Is it right for them?

They may join Lions Club
For service, or for lunch.
Or maybe for us!
(We are a fun bunch!)

All of the people
Who ever joined our ranks
Have one of our group
To whom they owe thanks.

They were invited
One or two times or three.
They had some chances
To learn and to see

Why and how we serve,
All the ways that we bless
The less fortunate.
And then they said, “Yes!”

Young children need us,
And the poor need us too.
The aged, the blind,
And neighborhoods do.

The world also needs
Relief that Lions clubs do:
Earthquakes, tsunamis,
And illnesses, too.

All these need people!
Volunteers on the ground!
And it all takes money.
Where can it be found?

New members help us
And they lighten the load.
More hands make light work!
Let’s head down that road.

Pancake Breakfast at Library Park

On Saturday, August 23, ten Lions cooked and served pancakes for 175 hungry readers at Library Park. The breakfast was a prize for young readers who spent at least 100 hours reading this summer.  Many thanks go to Lions Edna Chavez, Dale Edwards, Dan Fahrlander, Bill Funke, Rusty Holsten, David Lambertson, Faye Lockner, Ron Lockner, Irene Toliver, and Jim Trupp who made this event possible!

Recent Programs

Our club was treated to a medley of folk string music presented by students, Grace Kuch and Sammy Davison, from Laurel Grade School.

Bob Gann, Fire Chief of the Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department, presented a program about the High Park fire and the fire-fighting role played by that volunteer fire department.

Mac McGoldrick from CSU’s Energy Institute/Power House Campus presented a program on their partnership with Shell Oil and the development of Envirofit International, one of the largest improved cookstove companies in the world, out of one of the Energy Institute laboratories.

 

Upcoming Programs

September 4  Treloar Bower will speak to us about the Lindenmeier site, about 25 – 30 miles north of Fort Collins, where Folsom-era Paleo-Indians lived some 10,700 years ago.

September 11 Lion Ron Lockner will review the 2014 International Convention and comment on our new LCI President Joe Preston.

Lions Club Picnic

Despite the rainy weather, about 60 members and guests attended the Annual Picnic held at Fossil Creek Park on August 21. Musical entertainment provided by Lions Carrie Graves and Alan Beatty fed our souls, while barbeque from Nordy’s and the wonderful potluck sides and desserts provided by members fed our bodies! For those who stayed to the very end, we were enjoyed a beautiful double rainbow! Special thanks go to Alex Chapman and the Picnic Committee for organizing a great evening.

The International Lions Convention

The International Lions Convention was held in Toronto Canada from July 4 – 8. Lions Faye and Ron Lockner and Bob and Carole Kitchell attended.

Toronto is a very large city, about 4 ½ million people.

Faye’s and my hotel, the Weston, was located on the shores of Lake Ontario. Our hotel was a short walk from the Convention Center and the Air Canada Center. The Air Canada Center was where all of the large meetings were held and the Convention Center was the location of registration, displays, information booths, pin trading, and served as a gathering place for the fifteen thousand Lions from around the world.

July 4th, the first day of the convention, is a day to get registered, see the displays in the Convention Center, and meet fellow Lions and friends from around the world. Faye and I took a tour of Toronto. In the evening we attended the International Show. The show featured Neil Sedaka, the famed songwriter and entertainer. Neil performed and entertained us singing many of his famous songs for about 90 minutes.

July 5th is the day of the International Lions parade. Lions from around the world dress in their native costume and march the parade route. This year the Colorado unit was 35th in the line of march, so when we finished the route we were able to join the spectators and watch the many Lions units and admire their costumes.

July 6th, 7th and 8th are the three days the planetary sessions are held. Each day at 10 AM Lions gathered for the day’s session. Day one is the report from International President Barry Palmer and his year of traveling the world representing the Lions of the world. Lion President Berry spent more than 300 days this past year in his travels. The session ended with the parade of flags of the nations of the world.

Day two is the report from Immediate Past President Wayne Madden and the activities of the Lions Club International Foundation. The last day of the International Convention is dedicated to the induction of new International President Joe Preston, the introduction of the first and second vice presidents and the new members of the International Board. At the very end of the session International President Joe Preston installed the new District Governors. It was great to be standing behind Lion Bob Kitchell as Lion Carole removed the ribbon from his name tag and he became our new District Governor.

It was a great experience for Faye and I to attend the International Convention in Toronto, to have an opportunity to see our Lion friends, and witness the installation of Lion Bob as our new District Governor.

If ever you have the opportunity, we highly recommend you consider attending and international Convention.

Lion PCC Ron Lockner

 District Governors Installed

Toronto, Ontario was the site of the 2014 Lions International Convention held July 4-8. 15,000 Lions from all over the globe were in attendance as our new International Director, Joe Preston (Arizona), was officially introduced and took the opportunity to acquaint us with his vision for Lionism.

For the Coloradoans present, however, the most memorable moment occurred when our district’s four District Governors — Lion Bob Kitchell (6NE), Lion Sandy Smith (6SE), Lion Carl Gentzel (6C), and Lion Lyndel Silvertooth (6W) were installed as District Governors. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

To 6NE District Governor Kitchell – we look forward to working with you!

New Member

Save the Date!

Fort Collins Lions Club ANNUAL PICNIC
Thursday, August 21
6:00p.m.
Fossil Creek Park – EAST entrance then walk down to pavilion.
Catered BBQ meat
Bring potluck sides and desserts.
Sing-along and Bingo with prizes.

Because you will be bringing a potluck dish of your choosing, there will be no charge for you or your guests – bring them along just for the fun of it.

Sign up at club or RSVP to Alex Chapman.

OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING –

KidSight

With the new school year just weeks away, our KidSight vision screening program is about to begin and we’d love to have you join us! It is a rare opportunity for you – it’s possible that our KidSight screening could change the life of a child(ren) but our devoted volunteers need some help from you. It requires little time and NO $$$. If you’re interested, please talk with me, Carole Kitchell, at club or call me.

Pancake breakfast – August 23

Please volunteer with Lion Bill Funke. Bill will have a sign-up sheet at club, or call him for more information.

 

Lions Club Bingo Program

 

Bingo became our major fund raising program in February 1994, and has considerably increased the funds available to support our charitable programs and activities. Through these 20+ years, many past and present Lions have worked Bingo. They have a good time interacting with fellow Lion volunteers and with our “clientele”, the Bingo players who come back, week after week, to play Bingo with the Lions Club.

Our Lions Club operates two Bingo sessions each week – Tuesday evening starting at 7:00 PM and Friday morning starting at 11:30 AM. Each session runs a little over 2 hours. 11 or 12 Lion volunteers put in additional time setting up, selling bingo packets, specials, and pull tabs (called “pickles”) before the session starts; and, cleaning up the hall, selling pickles for 30-45 minutes after the session, completing the required paper work for the Secretary of State and then putting everything back in our storage locker.

Bingo Chairman Harold Hartman, tries hard to rotate volunteers to accommodate each workers schedule. Some Lions, who have the time, feel so strongly about the value of this contribution to our Club’s fund raising, they volunteer to work every week.

Harold has been Bingo Chairman for over 15 years. Besides scheduling volunteers, he makes sure our Bingo operations conform to the State of Colorado gaming regulations, completing required paperwork, paying state gaming fees, picking up and depositing Bingo receipts at the Bank for each session, paying the Bingo Hall and equipment rentals, purchasing all supplies required for the Bingo operation; and, of course paying Bingo player’s winnings!

By State Gaming Regulations, 100% of any profit made from Lions Club Bingo operations must be distributed to our charitable programs and activities.

Volunteers work in the following assigned areas. New volunteers get “hands-on” help from other experienced Lions.
1. Callers, who call the numbers and verify each bingo winner.
2. Cashiers, who cash checks, sell the Bingo packets, pay “pickle” winners, verify all the “pickle” & specials sales and enter the numbers into the computer, and verify that the cash deposit agrees with the computer cash total is within the allowable tolerance.
3. Floor Persons, who sell extra Bingo sheets (called Specials) to players after they leave the Cashiers station, and calls out the Bingo winner’s card number for verification by the Caller.
4. Special Sales Person, who maintains the records of all the floor sales.
5. “Pickle” Sales Person, who sell the “pickles” to the players an turn into the Cashiers the “cash in” and “playback” sales records for each of the different “pickles” offered for sale.

Lions Bingo volunteers help cement good relations with our Bingo players and keep those players coming back. We have the reputation as the friendliest Bingo operation. There’s work involved with Bingo, but it’s enjoyable work and fellowship with Lions you don’t get attending the weekly Lions Club Meeting. We are always looking for more workers, so if you want more information, call Harold.

 

Seventeen Lions and friends attended the Rockies baseball game on July 23 against the Washington Nationals. The Rockies pulled out the win and we had a great time!

 

 

 

 

 

President’s Message

Fellow Lions,

It has been my privilege to serve as president for the past year. That superb experience has been an education about how truly amazing you all are. Our Club has been remarkably faithful to the traditions of our Lions motto: “We Serve.”

Just a few examples:
Thanks to your willingness to volunteer—and to Serve—our KidSight program has grown and continues to provide important screening for our school children. The eyeglass program is in the finest of Lion’s traditions, and has grown. And we continue participating in the activities of the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank and the Eye Institute. We provide strong support to Ensight, now in its 13 year of low-vision rehabilitation services.

As part of operation Flood Relief, we provided funds for badly-needed basic necessities—food, clothing, blankets, bottled water, and medical supplies for flood victims.

In April, more than 30 of our members worked hard on the 9Health Fair—the event’s 35th year—and our Club has been leading the event in Fort Collins that entire time.

Further, because so many of you continue giving your time and talents, the jewel of our fundraising efforts—Bingo—continued to produce phenomenal results.

This year marks an effort that is very important to the health and sustainability of our Club: the creation of a “Membership Action Plan” to make our Club even better and to sustain and grow our membership. You participated in a Club survey and a special all-member meeting January and, with formal Board approval, we are implementing the Plan.

And we had fun—with weekly lunch meetings, the Christmas Party, the Valentine’s Party, and the annual Lion’s Picnic.

All these remarkable achievements are only possible because of the time and effort that you, our members, give so willingly and unselfishly. I am so proud of all of you and your accomplishments. You have made us the finest Lions Club in Colorado.
Doug Hutchinson, Outgoing President

Our club received the Helen Keller patch for our Banner for the Helen Keller Award. This is an Award given through the Colorado Lions Foundation given to clubs who donate at least $25.00 per member of the Club.

Fort Collins Lions Club named KidSight’s “Club of the Year!”

At the State Convention in Colorado Springs the Fort Collins Lions was named KidSight’s Club of the Year. Through the efforts of our club, under the leadership of Carole Kitchell, KidSight Chair, we screened over 2700 children, from preschool age through 6^th grade.

 

 

 

 Member Information

 

Pancake Breakfast Highlights

We have been busy serving pancakes, as well as the community!
On May 24, over 400 people had breakfast at O’Dea Elementary School as part of their triathlon family event.

On June 21 members cooked up and served pancakes for the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program. They were able to raise about $1500 with our help! We take our motto, “We Serve” seriously!

See more pictures on our Facebook page –https://www.facebook.com/FortCollinsLionsClub?ref_type=bookmark

President’s Message

Two major events in April are worth special note. Both are in the finest traditions of our Lions motto: “We Serve.”

First I want to recognize and thank the many Lions who served to make the April 25-26 9Health Fair a success.

As I worked under Lion Carole Kitchell’s leadership so I can serve as Site Coordinator next year, I have really learned just how much hard work and time that so many of you—more than 30 of our members—devote to this remarkable community service event! This was the 9Health Fair’s 35^th year, and the Fort Collins Lions have been leading the event in Fort Collins that entire time. We can all be very proud.

Next was the 2014 District 6 NorthEast District Convention held on April 19^th at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Brighton. Fort Collins showed remarkable Lions leadership at the convention, which hosted over 200 Lions.

District Governor Ken Moore led a substantive, positive Convention that focused on the many ways that Lions do serve. The agenda included the District Youth Program, the Colorado Lions Camp, Kidsight, International Hearing Dogs, Rocky Mountain Eye Bank, the LCIF/Disaster Fund, and our own Ensight Skills Center. Lions Denny Moyer and Penn Street gave superb presentations covering Ensight Activities, and the new Ensight Van was there for tours. I list these services to underscore the many ways that Lions serve our district.

The Convention elected several Fort Collins Lions to leadership positions. Lion Bob Kitchell was elected as 2014-20-15 MD6-NE District Governor. Lion Carole Kitchell was elected as 2014-20-15 MD6-NE Rocky Mountain Eye Bank Director, and Past District Governor Lion Dave Mendenhall was elected as 2014-2017 MD6-NE Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute Foundation (RMLEIF) Trustee.

Our congratulations to these Lions for their engagement and willingness to serve in these important positions.

I am so proud of Lions and the truly remarkable, on-going services that our Club provides. Bless you all.

Doug Hutchinson,  President

Lions Help Guinness World Record Attempt

On April 16, 2014, CSU alumnus and author Ryan Avery, attempted to set the Guinness World Record for book signing at the CSU bookstore. Lions club members volunteered to serve as “witnesses” to the event. Thanks go to Tobey Yadon for organizing the volunteers. Thanks to David Lambertson and his daughter, Katie, Alex Chapman, Darell Zimbleman, Irene and Tom Toliver, Bill Funke, Sue and Tobey Yadon for doing their two hour shifts as Ryan signed books. While he didn’t break the record, it was fun to witness such an energetic, young man meet, greet, sign, and dream big!

Awards

Key Award – Carole Kitchell

Membership Key Awards recognize individual Lions who invite new members. A Lion can earn their first membership key by inviting two new members and may earn up to seventeen keys. Each key is designed to reflect the number of new members a Lion has sponsored who remain a Lion for at least one year and one day. Carole Kitchell received the Key Award for inviting members Dylan O’Brien and Bob Kitchell.

 

Ensight is co-hosting the first annual Quick As A Blink 5k Race.
When: Saturday, June 7^th 9:00 AM
Where: Eye Center of Northern Colorado -Fort Collins, Colorado – Riverside

Eye Center of Northern Colorado and the Ensight Skills Center are pleased to announce the 1st Annual, Quick as a Blink 5K Race.

All proceeds from this race will be donated to the Ensight Skills Center to further their community outreach and helping those with low-vision needs. 

One unique part of this race, is that we will be giving away free registrations to those with low vision needs and their guides.

The Fort Collins Lion’s Club will be providing a post-race breakfast and Ensight Skills Center staff will be present with low-vision simulations and information about their organization.

Come on out to learn more about your eye and what can change in the blink of an eye.

Views around the  2014

April 25 and 26, 2014

About 1400 people visited the 9Health Fair this year. A full report will be given in May.

Upcoming Open House Program – May 8

Lion Warren Mauk has arranged for the Rocky Mountain High School 18-member Dixieland Jazz Band to entertain us with music straight from Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans.  This is our first “Open House” meeting where we will make a special effort to invite guests to come enjoy the fun and get acquainted with us.   Guests MUST RSVP to Tobey Yadon

MENTAL HEALTH FORUMS 2014-2015

 

The City of Fort Collins Human Relations Commission in Partnership with the Poudre River Library District is offering a Series of Mental Health Informational Forums. There are seven programs remaining. Some of the upcoming programs include:

 

June 10, 2014              The State of Mental Health in Northern
                                            Colorado: Major Issues &Community Resources 

 

August 12, 2014          Suicide Prevention: Information and Resources
Programs are at the Harmony Library Community Room

 

4616 Shields Street, Fort Collins, CO                                7:00 – 9:00 PM
Beverages and Dessert Provided                                Space limited to 85

 

For a complete list of programs, please check it out at
http://creatingcommunitysolutions.org/event/mental-health-disorders-explanations-everyone-fort-collins-co

Our Lions Club has donated $1500 to the Senior Center expansion. The donation is divided between $1200.00 for a plaque, $300 for a theater seat, and we $200 for two commemorative brick pavers in the patio.

March Crossword Puzzle Answers

ACROSS                                                      DOWN                             

1. Doug Hutchinson                        9. Bingo                         2.Humanitarian Award
3. Toronto, Canada                         4. Fifty                          5. KidSight
6. Ensight                                            7. Old Monarchs        8. Harold Hartman
9. Bingo                                               12. TailTwister           10. We Serve
13. Woodland Park                        14. Lions Tale              11. Irene Toliver
15. Carole Kitchell

President’s Message

I think all Lions are very proud of our motto: “We Serve.”

Often, that means service to just one or two individuals, and sometimes it means service to hundreds or thousands. Two good examples of the latter are Ensight, which has served over 50,000 individuals since it was founded in 2001, and the 9Health Fair, which last year alone served some 1,852 individuals in the Fort Collins area!

9Health Fair is Colorado’s largest volunteer-driven, non-profit health fair and education program—in some 140 locations in Colorado and adjoining states.

This will be 9Health Fair’s 35^th year, and the Fort Collins Lions have been leading the event in Fort Collins that entire time!

This year, the Fort Collins’ 9Health Fair will be on April 25^th and 26^th at the Christ Center Community Church, 2700 South Lemay. And once again, the Fort Collins Lions will be the leaders and enablers of this remarkable community service event.

I am so proud of Lions! Our Club typically provides an astonishing 35 to 40 volunteers to lead and run the event. That includes being THE leader—the Site Coordinator for Fort Collins. In the long line of Lions leaders, Lion Carole Kitchell has been the Site Coordinator for the event for the past 5 years.

I am “shadowing” Carole this year and will take over from her as the Site Coordinator for future 9Health Fairs in Fort Collins. I’ve learned that the Fort Collins event has the reputation of being one of the best-run in our state.

Lions volunteers are crucial to this effort. Please join your fellow Lions by volunteering to help with anything from set-up, to cashier, to directing participants to the various tests. You can register on-line to be a participant and/or a volunteer at www.9HealthFair.org/FindAFair. Or you can call Lion Carole at 484-9012.

Incidentally, see elsewhere in this issue for details how you, as a volunteer, can get a 20 percent discount for 9Health Fair tests and services.

Clearly, the Fort Collins 9Health Fair is one of our Club’s finest services to our citizens, and we should work hard to continue leading this remarkable event.

See you at the Fair!
President, Doug Hutchinson

CAMPBELL’S LABELS

I wanted to remind everyone that I am collecting Campbell’s Labels for the Lions Camp in Woodland Park. If you need a list of the products that have the labels on them, go to the Labels for Education website. http://www.labelsforeducation.com/. The labels are not just on food products, but other products as well, such as some magazines, pens, popcorn, and more. The camp really appreciates our help as this helps them get their craft supplies and some office supplies. The camp also collects gently used stuffed animals. Each camper gets one when they arrive. Tee shirts that are in good condition are also needed. They must be plain or have appropriate pictures or sayings on them. The camp is also in need of children’s videos, DVD’s, movies and games. Thank you for your help. If anyone has any questions, please see me.

Faye Lockner
Camp Co-chairman

New Members Inducted into Club

Upcoming Program Schedule

April 3 – Poudre Fire Authority/PVH “Remembering When” program on falls.

April 10 – Kathi Wright, Executive Director of Boys and Girls Clubs of Larimer County

April 17 – Kathy Anderson, Community Outreach Coordinator Hospice Pathways

April 24 – United Way

We have a great line up of programs! Please remember to invite guests you think might be interested in joining our club to lunch. If they are a potential member, there is no charge to you.

Sight Committee Happenings

The Sight Committee interviews over 50 clients each month. We meet at the First United Methodist Church on the third Thursday of each month from 2:00-3:30 PM. All of our clients must call 377-2282 and leave us a message and we return their call. We receive over 200 calls a month; it can take several months to get in. The committee only services Fort Collins, Timnath, Wellington and LaPorte. Residents from other areas must contact their nearest Lions club for help. I do have contacts for several of the local clubs and give them out to the clients that live in other areas. Each client must bring a $5 cash co-pay, photo ID, and proof of income.  They must have all three of these or we can’t help them. They are then interviewed by members of our team to make sure we have correct information and that their address is within the area we serve. When they qualify, they are given a voucher for what they need – sometimes it is both exam and glasses and other times it is just glasses as they have been able to get an exam through insurance or other aid.

A client is allowed to come once every two years. We have a data base that we use to verify when the client was last seen. If a client has diabetes or some other eye condition, they are allowed to come every year, but must have a letter from their doctor on his/her letterhead. We no longer accept walk-ins as this has created some problems.

If any other Lions members would like to help out, we would be happy to have your assistance. Any Lion is always welcome to attend and observe what we do.

Lion Faye Locker
Sight Committee Chairperson

 

20% Off Sale – 9Health Fair 

The 9Health Fair (9HF) recognizes the importance of our wonderful volunteers and is offering a 20% discount on any and all blood work and colorectal kits to all 9HF volunteers.

To register for this discount you must do several things:

1. Register on-line at www.9healthfair.org/FindAFair  as a volunteer at your local 9HF.  Follow the prompts.   A discount code will automatically be entered for you. 

2. Register On-line at www.9healthfair.org/FindAFair as a participant at our Fort Collins fair.  Follow the prompts.  Toward the end of the registration
   process, you will see a box labeled “coupon code.”  The code they are asking for is   ThankYouVol14.    Please enter this code as it signifies your eligibility for the discount. Registering on-line requires that you pay for your tests via credit card.  (This will take into account your 20% discount). 

• Prior to the 9HF, you will receive your registration form in the mail with your discount applied.  PLEASE BRING IT TO THE 9HF and present it at the “ON LINE REGISTRATION” table. 

• This discount is available to ALL who have given 1 hour or more of time as a volunteer in any capacity to 9HF in 2014. 

• On-line registration closes at 9PM, April 23 for the Fort Collins Fair.  No discounts will be available at the 9HF. 

• You MUST register on-line to receive this discount.  Cashiers cannot give DISCOUNTS at the 9HF. 

If you have any questions about this, please ask Carole Kitchell, Site Coordinator.

 

Across

1. Current Club President (2 words)

3. Location of the 2014 International Lions Convention (2 words)

4. The sight conservation committee interviews over ___ people every month.

6. Serves anyone having difficulty with activities of daily living related to vision loss

7. Name given to members who have been in the club for at least 10 years. (2 words)

9. Our largest fundraising activity

12. They promote harmony, good fellowship, and enthusiasm in the meetings (2 words)

13. Location of the Colorado Lions Camp (2 words)

14. Name of our club’s newsletter (2 words)

15. 9 Health Fair Site Coordinator (2 words)

Down

2. Awarded to a person of “substantial humanitarian accomplishment.”(2 words)

5. Program that provides vision screenings for young children

8. Our Bingo Czar (2 words)

10. Lions Club motto (2 words)

11. Coordinator of the Speech Contest (2 words)