Category: News

President’s Message

Greetings Fellow Lions of Fort Collins,

Here we are starting a brand new year. In 2020, it will be FC Lions 100th birthday! We have been very busy getting the word out about Fort Collins Lions. We have also been receiving some good feedback and some promising words on some prospective “will-be members.” However, it takes more than just a few of us to get us up to our goal of 65 new members for this year. All 58 of us need to help out.

One good way to help is through our upcoming super fantastic “Meet & Greet.” Thanks to Tail-twister Lion John for organizing! The Meet & Greet will take place on Wednesday, January 23rd, from 4:30-6 pm at Famous Dave’s BBQ (2880 E. Harmony Rd – Front Range Village). Invite somebody! We are fun group, share us! This is a No Host event, so you do not have to drink or eat there. But come join in the fun and bring a non-Lion friend.

We also had a great start of the year with BINGO! There were close to 100 customers on New Year’s Night and gave away a tablet and gift cards, followed Friday by (I have been told) one of the best, if not the best session ever. There were 160 players and we sold approximately 10 extra games. It was WILD!! Thanks to Harold and his crew!

Lots of other good things are happening too…KidSight, Adult Vision, Eyeglass Collection, donations and grants fulfillment and ALL the things we do that shows, “we serve.”

Lion Strong,

Lion Prez Denise

Peace Poster Contest

Thank You Veterans

Speaking of peace, in November, we had the opportunity to honor the veterans of the Lions Club at one of luncheons. We thank these veterans for their service to our country.

Veterans shown below: Ray Tjalkens, Vic Meline, Bob McLean, John Owen, Dale Edwards, Dan Fahrlander, Doug Hutchinson, Lee Brown, Bob Brenner, Warren Mauk

Not pictured: Lemoyne Anderson, William Funke, Harold Hartman, Robert Kitchell, Adam Taghavi, Robert Wideman, Darell Zimbelman

Flashbacks to October

A few items didn’t quite make it into the last newsletter, but we sure don’t want to forget about them. Enjoy!

Halloween Bingo Costume Contest

Operation Christmas Child

Once again this year, Susan Yadon and her team, Tobey, Laney, and Ed, organized a collection of shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. In line with the Lions Club mission, this project has global reach – the boxes are distributed world-wide to children in need. This year, the previous record of 42 boxes was surpassed, with 50 boxes donated. Thanks to all who organized, donated, and helped assemble the shoeboxes!

Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army

On Saturday, December 8, our Lions Club rang bells for the Salvation Army at the Magnolia Street Walmart. Lions Carole and Bob Kitchell, Nancy Walther, Rusty Holsten, Tobey and Susan Yadon, and Neal and Lauren Hopkins manned the kettles from 9 am to 5 pm, collecting $666.65! Some interesting observations from the bell ringers this year included one gentleman saying he had no money, then opening his wallet and putting a $20 bill into the kettle. Another man and his wife stopped at both kettles to make donations and told the ringers that he has been ringing bells in Arkansas for over 10 years and he can’t ever pass a kettle without donating. One well-dressed man was spotted picking up a coin off the ground in the parking lot and heading to the kettle. Instead of dropping in the coin, he said he just found a lucky penny and put $5.00 in instead. There was another family who apologized for only having a few coins to drop in the kettle. When they were told it isn’t the size of the donation, but the thoughtfulness of giving
that counted, they smiled and blessed the bell ringer for
donating their time. 

Our club has been ringing bells for the Salvation Army for more than 30 years. It is always a rewarding experience. The generosity of our community is alive and well in Fort Collins!

Kids Sight News

The Lions Club made the Coloradoan this month for our work with the KidSight program. Way to go Fort Collins Lions!

“Thumbs Up to the Fort Collins Lions Club for their sponsorship of KidSight, an annual community service program that performs cost-free vision screening test on young children in the Fort Collins area.  Approved by school principals, 3,046 students were screened last year by Carole Kitchell and other Fort Collins Lions Club members; 12% were referred to an eye care professional for further evaluation.”   

And the KidSight program’s reach doesn’t stop there. The connections made as part of the Lions’ participation in the program paves the way for further opportunities to serve. Here is just one example: On October 31, a teacher from one of the schools we do the KidSight screenings at contacted us to see if we could help a 6th grade student who had broken his glasses. The family could not afford to replace them. A few phone calls later, Carole Kitchell was able to provide a voucher for eyeglasses. The teacher contacted us later to say that the boy had gotten his new eyeglasses at Walmart and he was all smiles. She sent a big thank you to all of the Lions for what we do.

Lions Club Christmas Party 2018

Everyone had a lovely time at the Lions Club Christmas Dinner, back at the Fort Collins Country Club this year. A great big thank you to Lion Neal and his committee for a stellar evening! Committee members were: Lion Tobey Yadon, Lion Victor Meline, Lion Rozella Friedrich, Lion Rusty Holsten and Lauren Hopkins. There were about 55 people in attendance, including District Governor Lion Carol Lambert and Lion Cary Lambert, as well as past District Governor Dave Mendenhall and his wife Sharon.  The musical entertainment was provided by the Centennial Children’s Chorus, a special treat. And several Lions received awards for their service this year. Awards included:

• Melvin Jones Award: Lions Dale Edwards, Carole Kitchell, and Faye Lockner
• Humanitarian Award: Lions Bob Kitchell, and Ron Lockner
• Anne Sullivan Award: Lions Carole Kitchell, Faye Lockner, Ray Tjalkens, and  Jan Kuhnen
• International President Award: Past District Governor Lion Dave Mendenhall
• FC Lions President Award: New Lions Dan Butterfield and Rachel Metzgar
• Yearly Door Prize: Lion Harold Hartman

President’s Message

Greetings Fellow Lions of Fort Collins,

Well, we survived our first snow-fall…I can’t wait until the next one! Remember, I’m a native Californian! This year, one of our priorities is “Operation Newbies”! We have been busy up-ing our presence in our communities. There were our pancake breakfasts (thanks Lions Dale & Ray for organizing, and to all who helped);our presentation at the Fort Collins Chamber (thanks to Lions Dale, Melody & kiddos, and Rachel for attending); connecting with the Fort Collins Newcomers Club and the Fort Collins Senior Center (thanks to Lions Nancy and Judy’s connections); donating “Lions Gift Baskets” to various events; hosting Meet & Greets; advertising with popcorn bags and water bottles to the Fort Collins Senior Center; presenting to Poudre School District teachers; personal follow up with lunch guests and working with those to whom we provide pancakes to market our part in their events; just to name a few.

But, it is not just the job of a few of us to spread the word! Every one of us needs to step up and start “pushing FC Lions”! When was the last time you invited a friend or acquaintance to come join us for lunch? Let’s not forget inviting them to Bingo. How about a Meet & Greet? Invite people to join in the fun and help our communities. It doesn’t matter if they do not live in Fort Collins. They can live outside the city limits. Just ask some of our members – Faye and Ron, Denny, Laney, Rachel, Ray, Chris, and Darell.

We had a great time at the First Class Scholarship Luncheon a few weeks ago. We even met one of our “recipients”. Hopefully she will be at one of our upcoming lunches. Don’t forget our annual Peace Poster Contest. The first all club judging took place Thursday, November 1st and final judging will be Thursday, November 8th. And, of course, let’s not forget our Lion’s Christmas Party (thanks for planning Neal), Monday, December 10th at Fort Collins Country Club. Remember to bring that gift and a canned good!

To Lion Tom…farewell and thanks for all your wonderful and great volunteerism of 56+ years!

Lion Strong,

Lion Prez Denise

Senior Center Pancake Breakfast

A big thank you to all who participated in the pancake breakfast at the Fort Collins Senior Center. It was a huge success, raising over $2,000 toward their goal of buying a new sound system. What a great cause and a delicious feast!

Colorado Lions Camp

Jodi Franke, director of the Colorado Lions Camp, stopped by our club meeting to talk about the great work the camp is doing in the lives of individuals with disabilities.

The mission of the Colorado Lions Camp is to provide exceptional camping programs to individuals with special needs which promote independence, challenge their abilities and provide opportunity to discover his or her own potential in a safe, positive environment.

The camp has provided these programs since 1969 and they are still going strong. But they can’t do it without the help and generosity of folks like us, who believe in their work. To learn more or to see what is on their camp wish list, visit their website at www.coloradolionscamp.org.

Patti Smith from the Zonta Club of Fort Collins shared information about the “Her Legacy: Women of Fort Collins Historic Public Art” exhibit they are initiating. She shared Zonta’s mission, their club’s local impact and the mission of this women’s art exhibit.

The Zonta Club has a little in common with Lions, as they are a global organization working together through the efforts of local clubs.

“Founded in 1919, Zonta International is a global organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy.”

Learn more at http://www.zontafcevent.com/

Keeping an Eye on Things

Ray Tjalkens, chair of our Used Eyeglasses Program has dedicated many hours and a large chunk of his basement to the program. Along with fellow volunteers from the Fort Collins Lions Club, he collects glasses from over 50 locations around our community every year. They sort the glasses, separating out prescription glasses, readers, sunglasses – prescription and non-prescription, and frames. All the pairs that are usable get packaged up – almost 5,000 pairs of prescription glasses alone! These are then taken to the Sterling Correctional Facility, where trained inmates read and label the prescriptions. Later, they are distributed around the world to individuals in developing countries.

Fun Hat and Tie Day

Thomas LeRoy Toliver

January 6, 1932 – October 19, 2018

Thomas (Tom) LeRoy Toliver died Oct. 19, 2018, following a brief illness. The memorial service will be Sat. Nov. 24, at 1:00 PM, First Presbyterian Church, 531 S. College Ave., Fort Collins. Rev. Corey Nelson will officiate.

Tom was born in Fort Collins Jan. 6, 1932, the youngest child of Roy and Morna Toliver, who owned Toliver’s Hardware, where Tom worked as a youth, and from 1972 until its closing in 1986.

Tom attended Fort Collins High School, where he played football and was the All State Quarterback of 1950. He then attended Colorado State University, where he met Irene L. Barnhill, whom he married in 1954.

Following graduation, Tom and Irene moved to Murtaugh, Idaho, where Tom taught science and coached football, track, and wrestling.

In the fall of 1960, Tom and Irene moved to Parma, Idaho, where Tom again taught and coached. He returned to CSU during the summers, where he obtained his Master of Education in 1965. In 1965, he became the principle of Parma High School, a position he held until he returned to Fort Collins and the family hardware store in 1972.

Tom first became involved in Lions Clubs International in 1962 in Parma and had been a member of the Fort Collins Lions’ Club since his return to the city in 1972. He held several offices in the organization, including Fort Collins Club President 1978-1979, Northern Colorado District Governor 1989-1990, State of Colorado Council Chairman 1990-1991, International Director 1994-1996, and the International Convention Chairman for the convention that was held in Denver in 2003.

He and Irene hosted several Lions International Youth Exchange students, from Japan, Australia, and France. He also received numerous awards in recognition of his service, including four Presidential Awards, the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor Lions Clubs International bestows on its members.

Tom served as an usher, greeter, and trustee at the churches of which he was a member, at the Kirkpatrick Memorial Community United Presbyterian Church in Parma, Idaho, and the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Collins. After the closure of Toliver’s Hardware, he worked at Allnutt Funeral Services, 1986-2006.

Tom is survived by his wife Irene, children Roy Toliver of Kent, WA, Cheryl Toliver of Fort Collins, Jennifer Hunt of Monument, CO, and Laura Anzman of Citrus Springs, FL; 7 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and his sister Ruth Toliver of Fort Collins.

Contributions can be made to the Fort Collins Lions Foundation, 1740 S. College Ave., 80525; Pathways Hospice, 305 Carpenter Rd., 80525; and Lions Clubs International Foundation, 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL 60523.

We’ll miss you Lion Tom!

President’s Message

Hi Fellow Lions of Fort Collins,

Summer is here and there are a lot of activities that we are involved in.  Whether it’s working at our pancake breakfasts or getting involved in our picnic or another activity…we’ve got things for you to do.

As we start our new year it’s time to commit to at least one, hopefully two or three, committees within our club.

We ALL have a big job ahead of us this year.  We ALL need to help increase our membership.  The easiest way you can help…find a friend or an acquaintance that may be interested in becoming a Lion. Then let us know and we’ll get them to one of our luncheons.  Let’s get back to the years when we had 100+ members.

We hear you about getting back to weekly luncheons.  Hopefully, good news will be forthcoming!

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our annual picnic!!  We had two sites to choose from and those present at the June 7th meeting, voted to have it at one of our city parks.

Remember, if you have a comment, suggestion or question, you can tell me personally or put it in our Suggestion Box at the luncheons.  The Suggestion Box is completely anonymous and all will be answered.

 

Lion Strong,
Lion Prez Denise

2018-2019 Board of Directors

New Members

New Members, Darlene Sanderson and Chris Smith were inducted into the Club on May 17, 2018 by Lion Ron Lockner.  WELCOME!

Project Smile

Houska Automotive is generously opening their garages for an evening of live music from the Blues DoGS, tasty bites, drinks, a silent auction, kids’ activities and more. This family-friendly event is FREE to attend, and donations will be accepted at the door. Plan to join us on
July 14th from 5:30 – 9:00 PM at Houska Automotive.

The funds raised at this event will be allocated to Project Smile & Vision, ChildSafe, Coats & Boots, and Super Hero Underwear. Each of these charities performs truly remarkable work to serve underprivileged or abused children in our community. 

The money raised for Project Smile & Vision will be used to further our work to:

Provide lifesaving dental and vision treatment to kids in need in the Poudre School District

Educate kids and their parents on the importance of dental and vision care

Supply schools and families with dental supplies to prevent tooth decay

Rockies Baseball Game – May 9, 2018

Eighteen Lions and friends attended the Rockies baseball game on May 9. Lion Dale Edwards even got to have a birthday cupcake! Everyone had a great time; think about joining us next year!

History Corner, Lions Club History

In 1917, a Chicago insurance agent named Melvin Jones convinced his business luncheon club, the Business Circle of Chicago, that it should ally itself with other independent clubs to form a national organization that would be dedicated not only to networking for business and social purposes, but also to the improvement of the community as a whole. Among the groups invited was the Association of Lions Clubs, headquarted in Evansville, Indiana and led by Dr. W.P. Woods.  The Business Circle and other clubs agreed to rally under the Lions name, and a convention was called for October in Dallas, Texas. Thirty-six delegates representing 22 clubs from nine stated heeded the call, approved the “Lions Clubs” designation and elected Woods as the first president. Guiding force and founder Jones was named acting secretary; thus beginning an association with Lions that ended only with his death in 1961.

Community leaders soon began to organize clubs throughout the United States. The association became “international” with the formation of a club in Windsor, Ontario, Canada in 1920. Clubs were later organized in Mexico, China, and Cuba. Today there are over 1.3 million members in more than 45,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographic areas.  Our Fort Collins Lions Club was chartered May 8, 1920.

(Taken from Lions Club International Welcome booklet)

The Fort Collins Lions Foundation

The Fort Collins Lions Foundation, the Foundation, was incorporated on December 11, 1967. The Foundation is an IRS qualified nonprofit, charitable organization disbursing funds for sight, hearing, youth, diabetes, scholarships, Ensight Skills Center and other benevolent causes. Gifts, memorials and donations are tax deductible.

Our Foundation has over $450,000 in our permanent endowment fund. Only the investment income earned will be spent.

The Foundation is managed by a board of nine Trustees, elected to a three year term by the club membership. Each trustee may serve no more than two consecutive terms. The Board of Trustees meets the fourth Thursday of every other month beginning in January. All members of the Fort Collins Lions Club are members of the Fort Collins Lions Foundation and are welcome to attend the regular meetings of the board. A meeting of all the members of the Foundation is held annually in July of each year.

The minutes of each meeting are recorded by the Foundation Secretary and disbursed to all of the Trustees. These minutes are available to all members of the club upon request.

For further information or to share your ideas, you are welcome to contact any member of the Board of Trustees.

Lion Ron Lockner

Lopez Elementary Lighthouse Leadership Team

The student Lighthouse Leadership Team from Lopez Elementary School (4th and 5th graders) we the speakers at our April 5 meeting. The team of Brady and Julliet presented a slide program on a project to build a handicap accessible area at their school. The program was in connection to the Pancake Breakfast fund raiser which was served by our club and held on May 5.

Lion Adam Taghavi stopped in to visit our Bingo workers, while he was back from Maryland. He is pictured with Lions Irene Tolilver and Harold Hartman. We miss you, Adam!

Whooooo doesn’t like a picnic?

Bring your friends,
bring your children,
their children,
and their children.

Bring Prospective Members, Bring your Neighbors.

Thursday, August 16
Edora Park
1420 Stuart Street
5 pm to 7:30 pm

Our Lions Club has the best! Best Venue, Best Cooks, The most comradery.

There will be a sign-up sheet at club, or contact Lion Rusty for more information.

Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

While it is only June, the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox project is just around the corner. We will fill boxes in November, but the back to school sales will be starting in July and August. We will order Operation Christmas Child cardboard boxes which measure 11.25 x 6 x 4.25. You may, however, wrap your own shoebox with Christmas paper, or use a plastic shoebox.​

Last year we donated 48 boxes. This year we will be filling about 50 boxes and can use donations of school supplies, toiletries, and WOW items.  We will have a sign-up sheet in the coming months but these are some of the items needed for the boxes:

NEED:  Pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, rulers, ballpoint pens, crayons (boxes of 24), colored pencils, markers, glue sticks (NOT liquid glue), solar powered calculators, index cards, safety scissors (blunt), pencil cases, and small backpacks.  WOW items we include are stuffed animals, small toys, clothing, baseball caps, flashlights & batteries. We also include bars soap, hairbrushes or combs, washcloths, and toothbrushes.

Age categories are:
Girls 2-4, Girls 5-9, Girls 10-14
Boys 2-4, Boys 5-9, Boys 10-14

For more information about Operation Christmas Child, here is a link to their website: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/what-goes-in-my-shoebox-suggestions/

If you have questions, please contact Lion Sue Yadon or Lion Warren Mauk.

O’Dea Elementary Pancake Breakfast – Children’s Triathlon

On Saturday, June 2, our pancake crew was on duty at O’Dea Elementary School prepping and cooking pancakes, sausages, along with juice and coffee for the participants in their Children’s Triathlon and Family Fun Run. We served about 350 people! Way to go Lions!!!

President’s Message

Fellow Lions,

As I near the end of my time as your president, I must admit, I am humbled by your support and dedication to our club. Our membership has faced many challenges this past year from a declining roster to moving venues and everything that came with that move. I want to thank everyone who helped to make that transition as smooth as possible.  A big thank you to Lions Tobey and Sue for all your work, even while you were supposed to be relaxing on vacation! Lion Denise, this club is in excellent hands with your coming leadership. My presidency was only made possible because of the outstanding leadership that so many of you display. For that, I am grateful.

I want to take a minute to discuss membership. It is a painful thing. Every club ever created seems to be dealing with membership woes. What will work to recruit? Who should we recruit? How shall we get the word out? When is the right time to approach new members? Where can we find them? These questions have many answers. I want you all to remember that by simply sharing your passion for service and Lions, people will listen. The right time is now, the right place is where ever we are. The right person is whoever you are talking to. My years as a development director have taught me that the worst someone can say is NO! Share your stories with friends and family. Share a service project with someone at a work meeting. Tell your children and grandchildren how many people have benefitted from our clubs philanthropy and community projects. Don’t give up Lions. We are a part of the largest service organization in the world!! We are awesome! So let our community hear us ROAR!

It has been an honor to serve my club. Until 2020 when I can serve again as your president, I anxiously await Lion Denise and Lion Dale’s terms. I have no doubt that you will guide them to be wonderful leaders.

Sincerely,
Your Fort Collins Lions Club president,
Melody Bettenhausen

Valentine Party

Lions Speech Contest “What Social Issue Presents the Greatest Challenge to Future of the USA?”

 

The three Poudre School District speech contest participants presented their views on the topic of this year’s speech contest topic. Our club winner, Bernard Lacey, advanced to the District 6NE Convention where he placed third. District speech contest participants in order of placing and monetary awards received:

1st–Andrew Littlefield, New Raymer Prairie Lions Club, $300
2nd–Quinton Draegert, Brush Lions Club, $250
3rd–Bernard Lacey, Fort Collins Lions Club, $200
4th–Ashwini Strestha, Gill Lions Club, $150
5th–Michelle Morgan, Longmont Columbine Lions Club, $100
6th–Sudikshya Bhatt, Longmont Himalayan Lions Club, $100
7th–Jadin Schiers, Fort Lupton Lions Club, $100

Melvin Jones Fellows Recipients

The fellowship, which was created in 1973, takes its name from the founder of Lions Clubs International (LCI), Melvin Jones. It is an honor – not an award. The fellowship was established as LCIF’s highest form of recognition to acknowledge an individual’s dedication to humanitarian service. $1000 has been donated to LCIF in each recipient’s name.

 

New Member

Lions attend the District 6NE Convention on Saturday, April 7, 2018

It’s Pancake Breakfast Time!

Each year the Fort Collins Lions Club reaches out to the Fort Collins vicinity to assist many non-profit agencies and organizations in their fund raising activities with our Pancake Breakfasts. Working with Bill Funke, as a co-coordinator for the Breakfast, we have the following groups scheduled for the next coming months:

May 5 – Lopez Elementary School – Special Needs Playground Project
June 2 – O’Dea Elementary – Children’s Triathlon
August 25 – Poudre Library District – Fort Collins Comic Con

We will be looking to schedule breakfasts in July and September, will let you all know the dates.

Please sign up for helping at these events. All setups for the breakfast start at 7:00 a.m.!

The Pancake Breakfasts are a great way to say “WE SERVE.”

Thank you,
Lion Dale Edwards

April 28 – The United Way of Larimer County – Volunteer Recognition Pancake Breakfast