Category: Lions Tales

Fellow Lions,

Every outgoing President must face his last day in the leadership role. For me it is not easy.

My son just moved to Florida. I realize now that although I still care for him, I am no longer in charge of him. Even so, I still feel responsible for him in a way, and hope he’ll need my advice and even my help from time to time. That is also exactly how I feel about the Lions. A big difference however: my son has never really taken responsibility before, while our club has been succeeding for most of a century. Also, while my son is brand new at making decisions, our incoming President is eminently qualified to lead us through the next year.

When I was asked by Ted Blevins to become his Vice President, I felt that it was perhaps premature, and that I might not have the time to do it right, and that I might fail the club. I was also honored. I have no reservations about Doug Hutchinson leading us. He has shown himself to be a master of consensus building in his career and even since joining the Lions. He has also willingly stepped up and helped whenever needed. Again, I am honored. This time, honored to leave the club in the able care of a most capable leader.

My vision for the club has mostly come true. I wanted to change the culture of the club to encourage more guests to be invited (to increase membership, of course!) I wanted to expand our volunteer activities in the community. I was eager for the club to provide much more in the way of glasses and exams. And, I wanted another branch of the club. 3 out of 4 ain’t bad! The good news? I will still work on number 4. I hope to get it done this coming year with the blessing and hard work of the club.  I was blessed with the hard work of many people while I was President. You made me look good even when I felt I was struggling. I am so thankful.

Now, about our new President… I am sure he’ll have good ideas and will flavor the club with his way of doing things. I am sure that he will inspire us. I am sure that he will need our support, our hard work, and our encouragement to get things done. I am also sure that he will get it.
God bless,
David Lambertson

MEETING CHANGE

On June 6th the Lions will not meet at noon, but will meet at 6 PM at the Lentz home for a BBQ-potluck dinner. This will provide a unique opportunity to view Bill’s antique car collection.

Contact Lion Alex Chapman for more information and directions.

Shannon Trivona was selected at our club meeting to be our Zone representative at the District Speech Contest. The speech topic was “What opportunities do young people need to be successful in the future?”

From our new President …

I am humbled and honored to be serving as your president for a year. I know that my father, Paul Hutchinson—an ardent Lion who served as president in 1981—has to be looking down with a smile on his face and thinking “It’s a beautiful day in Fort Collins!”

The Fort Collins Lions is about all of you! It is a superb organization, with very fine people. We serve…. And perhaps our finest tradition is the camaraderie and fun we have as we serve.

You—every single member—are what makes this a great club. I see my role as setting a tone for fun, for friendship, and for helping us to continue the Lions’ rich tradition of service to our community.

I believe that everything falls from that fun and friendship…including growth of membership. Simply put, that is the strong Lions tradition I got from my father. And I believe we should foster that fine tradition. It works. Here’s how one of our new Lions explained his decision to join us: “I sat at a great table, with fine people who had a great sense of humor and were just plain fun. They made me feel comfortable. So I’ve decided that I want to be part of that. I’m joining!”

I think this is a very useful message for us.

I have found that wonderful spirit in the services that we perform for our community. We do have fun, and we have fun getting things done for our community.

Let us carry on that finest of traditions of the Fort Collins Lions. We serve…and we get personal rewards from our cooperative efforts to provide that service. And we have fun and make friends as we do it.

God bless you, our community, and our country.

Doug Hutchinson
President

I would like to remind all club members that I am still collecting Campbell Labels for the Lions Camp. If any of you need the list of what products these labels can be found on, just ask me and I will get you one. I turn them in to the camp once or twice a year. It is really very helpful to them in getting sporting equipment, craft supplies and office supplies for the camp. It does save them money but we need a lot of labels to get each item. You can just take the labels off the products or cut out the UPC symbol off products that are not soup or just bring me the whole thing and I will cut what is needed. When taking labels off can, try and be careful not to tear the points on the cans as then we can’t use them. Thanks so much to each and every Lion who helps with this project and if you get a chance go down to Lions Day at the camp in September. It is a great place and you can see how your donations are used.

Lion Faye Lockner

Spotlight on … 

 Faye grew up in the suburbs of Rochester, New York and after she and Ron got married, they bought a house there, as well. They moved to Fort Collins almost 20 years ago. Faye retired from the Larimer County Courts where she worked as a clerk in the civil and juvenile divisions.

 Faye and Ron have been married over 47 years and have four children: Kimberly, Richard, Elizabeth, and David. They also have three lovely granddaughters. Nicole is a student at Front Range and does competitive figure skating. Alice is in the fourth grade and is learning to play the trumpet. Ella is in first grade and enjoys gymnastics and just making herself beautiful in front of the mirror!

 Faye likes to travel to just about anywhere and then likes to learn about the area she is in. One of the best vacations she had was on a houseboat in Lake Powell for five days. They just cruised around the lake all day, took in the sights, and then beached the boat in a quiet area every night.

She enjoys doing crafts, reading, and working outside in her yard. She does some sewing, but not as much as she used to.

Faye has been in the Lions Club since 2008. She is on the camp committee and promotes the saving of Campbell soup labels for the camp. She is now the head of the Sight Committee and busy learning how this committee helps those in need of glasses. One of Faye’s favorite memories is attending the International Convention in Sydney, Australia, where Ron became District Governor.

Hello fellow Lions,

I am writing this message about commitment the day after my 4th wedding anniversary; quite a milestone for me, and one that reminded me of our service as Lions.

Recently, we gave out the awards from LCIF for some of our members who had served for more years than I have been alive. That is commitment. Many of our members have, in recent years, taken on additional responsibilities in the club. That is commitment. Some of our members served the club, literally, until they passed away. That is commitment.

I am asking that the club take on a new commitment. Yes, another one.

We already take care of children (KidSight, Read Aloud), and disabled children (Lions camp), the deaf (Hearing Committee), the sight impaired (Sight Program, Eyeglass recycling), the poor with Diabetes (Diabetes Program), the poor with eye problems needing surgery (Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank), those who are beyond medical help and losing vision (Ensight) and all manner of other needy people through donations to other charities and pancake breakfasts and individual effort in building ramps and just saying yes when others might say no. Oh, and let’s not forget out relief efforts during the High Park Fire, and hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis. Whew…that’s a mouthful. That doesn’t even count what we do for each other!

We also cover for each other in our club responsibilities, support each other through hard times, donate money, make phone calls, do paperwork, show up, take care of our Foundation, and generally help each other as we help seemingly everyone else! That’s a lot!

Those who read this, who don’t know us, might think that we are overwhelmed. Hopefully, what they read is that what we do is so important and fulfilling that we are willing to keep doing it. Willing to commit to keep doing it for our whole lives. Voluntarily, even if the press doesn’t recognize it. Just because it is good, and because being around others so inclined, satisfies us on a deep level, and because, very simply, our community needs us.

If you are a member, this is all what you have heard before and what you do. Nothing new here. If you were reading this for the first time though…..wouldn’t you be curious? Wouldn’t you want to know more? Might you want to meet the people who do this? Might you want to be a part of it?

I was invited to our club only a few short years ago by Alan Beatty, who told me that it was a great group of people that I should meet. I believed him, and am so grateful for that invitation. I did meet the group, and they were (and still are) great people that I admire and respect. I also saw an interesting speaker and ate lunch, both good.

Back to the commitment.

I am asking each one of you to invite two people to our club before April 15. When you do, tell them that they will see an interesting program and have lunch on the club. Tell them that they will enjoy meeting your friends there, and even drop the big names, the famous and somewhat famous members that we have.

When they ask about the club, refer to the long-winded paragraph above about all of the good we do, or just say, “Come see for yourself, and have lunch, it will be fun!” After they agree to come “sometime,” call them the next Wednesday to remind them. If they need a ride, call me, or anyone else in the club who drives.

The people we know in the community, our churches, our neighborhoods, and at other clubs and groups…these are the people to invite. They will enjoy themselves, and some may come back. Some will think it over. Some will decide to help out. Some will commit.

Let’s give them the opportunity.

–David Lambertson, President

Youth Exchange Program

Consider hosting an international student this summer. Carole Kitchell, District chair for this program, has a list of available students who are anxious to spend a few weeks in Colorado. Students arrive between July 27- 30 and spend a few weeks with you and your family before they go to camp August 11-17. They will be with you a few more days after their camp experience and return home between August 18 – 21. You can obtain more information about hosting an international student from Carole at 484-9012 or online at:

http://www.lionsdistrict6ne.org/doku.php?id=youth_exchange

BIG THANKS
to Carrie Graves for organizing our entry in the St. Patrick’s Parade on March 16. Lions Wayne Crownhart, Vic Meline, Tobey Yadon, Alan Beatty, David Lambertson, and Carrie Graves, along with Carrie’s son, Mitch Graves, and his friend, Patrick, walked the route, juggling, giving out candy and cards promoting Lions Club. Thanks also to all the Lions who donated candy for the cause! Way to go!

New Members

Please add these members to your directory. Check your email or contact Lions Irene Toliver for phone numbers, addresses and emails.

 The 9 Health Fair will be Friday and Saturday, April 26 and 27 from 7AM until 12:00. Put it on your calendar to volunteer! Contact Lion Carole (484-9012) for more information.

The Project Smile luncheon will be held Friday, 4/19, 11:30-1:00 at the Prospect St. Hilton. The luncheon is free but it IS a fund raiser. (Donations) If you can attend, please let Lion Carole (484-9012) know so she can make reservations.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE      David Lambertson

Greetings Fellow Lions,

As I write this article I am reflecting upon the many challenges we face in our daily lives. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones recently, and there are many. I pray that all of you will find peace as you, your family, and friends grieve. Others of us are facing health problems or financial struggles. No matter what the challenge, however, I believe that the challenge is easier borne with the support of friends. I found that to be true when recently my father-in-law died, and also my friend Ted. Let’s just take a moment to be thankful for each other.

We all need to remember as well, how much we do for needy people in the community. We support them in so many ways! All of us can be proud of the work we, as a club, do every month. The community needs us, more than we know.

Partly because I believe that the Lions are such good support, I am fervently working to increase the membership of the club. We have enjoyed some success with simply inviting others to lunch. I applaud all who have invited, and remember that when you invite a local, non-family member to lunch, you are immediately reimbursed with a grocery card for the cost of the lunch. We continue to have excellent programs, so let’s invite our neighbors and friends!

I believe that we need younger people to join as well, and often they are unable to come to lunch meetings due to work schedules. I am currently meeting with, and working
with, Arnold Price to create a web presence that will fully utilize social networking to attract new members. Along with the new members
will come new projects to be determined. My hope is that we will be able to
emulate some other clubs who have significantly increased membership in this way, while retaining the existing membership format, as well. I welcome input and comments about this!

Please call me. Tell me what new projects you would like to see the Lions take on…if we had the members to do the work.

Tell me what you like about other organizations that you belong to.
Tell me what you like about websites that you often visit.

We all joined to help others, and to have some fun while doing so. Let’s work together to allow others to have the opportunity to do the same!

Regards,
David Lambertson, President

New Member – Dylan O’Brien

Carole Kitchell sponsors new member, Dylan O’Brien who is inducted by Lion Ron Lockner.

VALENTINE PARTY

 Thursday February 14, 2013, 12:00 Noon

Midtown Arts Center

RSVP DATE:     FEBRUARY 7, 2013

COST: Active Members and Their Allotted One Guest and Members Who Are Honorary Spouses Will Be Charged $8.00 EACH. MAL, AFFILIATE, AND GUESTS Will be charged 15.00 EACH.

Spotlight on …

Luke Burhenn

To Learn more about Luke, see our printed edition of Lions Tales.

Project Vision at Linton Elementary

Jack Freshwaters and Phyllis Wagner Susan Yadon and Doug Hutchinson

Phyllis, Jack, Doug, Susan, Warren Mauk, Faye Lockner, and Tobey helped with vision screening of over 200 students at Linton Elementary in January.

SERVICE CLUBS FUND COCHLEAR PROCESSOR

FOR JENNY SHUMAKER

Last summer, Dan Shumaker approached the Fort Collins Club with a request for financial support to provide a new cochlear processor for his daughter, Jenny Shumaker. At the time Jenny was a Senior at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. Jenny, who has since graduated, received a cochlear implant as a child. Her current processor was obsolete and no longer supported by Advanced Bionics, its supplier. In fact, her processor was held together by rubber bands.

Fort Collins Lions Club

Having secured funding commitments from the service clubs, the Fort Collins Lions Club hosted a presentation of checks, as shown in the photos. In attendance at the ceremony were Jenny Shumaker, her mother, Jean Shumaker, representatives of the service clubs, and District 6 Northeast Leaders. Father, Dan Shumaker, who originated the request, had secured a new job in the Denver area, and was unable to attend.

After performing due diligence, relative to the Club’s stringent criteria for support, it was apparent that the family, who live in Fort Collins, merited support. Given the cost of a new cochlear processor, the Club approached other service clubs in the area to see it they would support the effort.

Estes Park Lions Club

The Fort Collins Lions Club, Estes Park Lions Club, and Overland Sertoma Club of Fort Collins stepped forward with funding to support the purchase of Jenny’s new cochlear processor. Following negotiations with the supplier, the cost of the processor was established as $8,764.00.

Overland Sertoma Club

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE      David Lambertson

Hello fellow Lions!

We are nearing the end of 2012, and Christmas is coming. I believe that Lions embody the meaning of Christmas in many ways: selflessly and lovingly giving to help others all year.  I am happy and hopeful and thankful!

Happy, that we have seen new members join, and that our Bingo operation is successful!
Hopeful, that these trends will continue, and that we will take on new projects with great energy!
Thankful, that we have the people and the will to complete our work, that we come together as a club when we need to, and that we are so blessed to live where and when and how we do!

Recently we voted to support Ensight with a pledge of $10,000 contingent upon the grant from LCIF for $200,000 and other clubs’ participation, as well. If Ensight receives the grant, they will buy what they need to put their show on the road, servicing the whole state and improving the lives of many, many people with low vision that otherwise would not be able to go to the store to be helped. This is fantastic, and for Fort Collins it is even better, because we will see the greatest benefit right here, locally. Thanks especially to Lion Doug Hutchinson for doing much of the liaison work between the Club Board, the Foundation, and Ensight. Thanks also to everyone who discussed it and eventually supported the idea.

Our Christmas Party was fantastic, again! Thank you personally for the Melvin Jones recognition. I am humbled. Also, congratulations to the others who won awards and recognition, including Faye, Carole, and Tobey. Thanks to Vic Meline and his help for putting the whole thing together. Thanks to all who spoke, and to those who helped whom I failed to name. The food was great, the entertainment was great, and we all had a good time.

Last year we saw several members join, and we are still hunting for new ones. Our “Just invite someone to lunch” idea seems to be working fairly well, with roadblocks to inviting removed as we find them. I believe that the Lions Club is the best place for community-minded people to volunteer, so let’s welcome them with open arms and let them decide to join, or not! The first step is inviting them to lunch!

I have also been talking with leaders in other service clubs, and hope that with joint effort we can have an even stronger voice in the community. One particular project is the road sign with our logo that we want on major roads coming into Fort Collins. I have renewed hope that we can accomplish this goal.

Social media is a way to increase membership, and broadening our scope of projects in the community can also attract new members. I have a couple of initiatives in this direction that I need help starting in the new year. I will relay these in the club meetings, and hope that we can all think a bit out of the box to help secure the club’s membership future. I have also been talking to Tobey and others in the club about a voluntary program to help some club members who need it, more to come later on all of these issues.

Lastly, for our family it is a bittersweet time, as we just lost Marina’s father to cancer in Saint Petersburg, Russia. He was 74. We are so thankful that we visited Russia last summer, and left with him feeling vigorous and in great spirits after a joyful visit and reunification of family. I will miss my father-in-law, and Marina and her mother will miss him more. The Lions have been very supportive during this difficult time, and really are a second family. It is an honor to be part of the club.

Merry Christmas and God bless all of you,

David Lambertson, President

Christmas Blessings

Here is a picture of Daniela and Lion Bill Lentz. For those of you who don’t know, our Lions Club helped to raise over $100,000 to provide Daniela with a cochlear implant over 10 years ago. She has really grown up.

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,

the gladness of Christmas give you hope,

and the warmth of Christmas grant you love.

Spotlight on …

Gordon Michel

Spotlight on …

Richard L. Corl (Dick)

To learn more about these Lions, see the printed edition of Lions Tales

The Colorado Youth Chorale has asked Ensight to be their performance partner for the upcoming winter show. This means that CYC will be giving Ensight a portion of the proceeds from the evening’s performance. We would like to invite you all to come on out and enjoy some holiday cheer with the Colorado Youth Chorale and the staff from Ensight.

Sunday, December 16, 7:00 PM – Reception for all to follow, Saint John’s Lutheran Church, 305 E. Elizabeth, Fort Collins

*Donations accepted at the door

We hope to see you there!

The staff at Ensight and Curtis Strong Center.