President’s Message
Thanks to all the loyal Lions who work to make our Bingo fundraising so successful. We had our best year ever in 2015-16 and that income is what enables us to continue our many great projects serving others in our community. We ARE one of the most respected Lions clubs in Colorado–let’s continue the good work.
We are still working to find a Centennial Legacy project, with Doug Hutchinson having recently met with our City Manager, Darin Atteberry, to seek his help with getting ideas for this. Doug was excited by Darin’s willingness to help us find a need and we will learn more on this very soon.
We continue to work on improving our web site. In this digital age it will increasingly be the first point of contact many people will have with our club. I encourage committee chairs to look at the information about their activities on the site and help us get the content updated. Tobey will make the changes when you get him new information.
We have completed another successful season of Pancake Fundraisers for non-profits in Fort Collins. In addition, the pancake crew helped with cooking lunch at the Ensight Open House for their new facility. I would like to see us try to expand this activity, as we are able, and make a Lions information table a regular part of each event. It will require having a supply of Lions information available with the pancake supplies and a person dedicated to working that table at each event. Your ideas on how we best accomplish this are welcome.
As I look over the many active committees we have in our club I am proud of all we accomplish. We have joined the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce, with Denise taking the lead on getting us engaged. Our support for the Ensight Skills Center is ongoing. KidSight is starting up again, with a new group of kids to help this year. Sight Conservation screens applicants for eye exams and eyeglasses every month. Diabetes committee is working on two new projects. Eyeglass and Hearing Aid collection continues and expands. See Bob McLean’s recent email on opportunities to work with the Environment committee–let’s make sure we are represented at the Lions Park workday on October 22. (The Lions Park on Overland Trail near LaPorte is a good example of what a Legacy project can be. This park was built by LaPorte Lions, over 50 years ago, and still represents the efforts of Lions all these years later!)
As Lions, we know our civic responsibility and the importance of voting. This election brings, not only significant issues at the state and national level, but a very long ballot on local issues. Please study the issues carefully and vote.
Together we can make this Centennial Year truly special for our club, community and world.
Proud to be your Centennial President,
Wayne Crownhart
Ensight has completed the move to its new location at 1740 S. College Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80525. The Lions were there to help with the open house on September 10th, flipping burgers and hot dogs, instead of pancakes, helping with tours, and providing music. It was a fun celebration. If you haven’t seen the new facility, stop in soon.
The Ensight Halloween Eye Ball, presented by the Eye Center of Northern Colorado, will be held Friday October 28th 2016 from 6:30pm until 11:00pm. The Eye Ball will be held at the Agave Room in Old Town Fort Collins. Great auction items include Southwest plane tickets, Broncos gear, CSU Ram (Farewell Hughes Stadium games 5 & 6), wine, tons of local art, gift cards, massages and more! Oh my! Please join us, if you dare. Tickets are $50 and Lion Melody will be auctioning off a ticket for the club raffle.
Melody Glinsman
Operation
Christmas Child
We will be collecting shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child which will be donated to Samaritan’s Purse/Operation Christmas Child in early November, so you still have time to get your donation ready. The Club will pick up the $7 costs for shipping the boxes.
You may wrap your own shoebox with Christmas paper or use a plastic shoebox to hold your items. Include toys, stuffed animals, clothing, school supplies, non-liquid hygiene items, accessories, flashlights, etc. You may also include a personal note and a photo of yourself or your family. If you include your name and address, the child may be able to write back.
Do Not Include
Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.
Be sure to label your box – you can use a sticky note and we can add the official labels later.
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: Operation Christmas Child
Kidsight Committee
The Kidsight screening committee is off to a busy start this year. Through September, 455 children have been screened and many more are scheduled for October and November. If you are interested in helping with this worthwhile committee, contact Lion Carole Kitchell for more information.
Eyeglass Collection
Thanks to all the participating collectors, I have just finished boxing 1350 prescription eyeglasses. Keep up the good work!
President Wayne is making labels to add to the collection boxes to remind people to also donate hearing aids. While adding the new label, please check to be sure your name and phone number are on the box.
We also have one location in Estes Park where we collect glasses and hearing aids. If you happen to be heading that direction, please give Ray a call and offer to pick glasses up while you are there – it only takes a minute!
Many thanks!!
Lion Ray Tjalkens
MISSION TRIP
Lion Aida Raider will be traveling to Cuba October 30 to November 6 on a mission trip. Please keep Aida in your thoughts and prayers as she serves others with her ministry.
Environmental Committee
The newly formed Environmental Committee includes members: Bob McLean, Rusty Holsten, Dale Edwards, Carole Kitchell, and Aida Raider.
Bob has been active supplying members with volunteer opportunities in northern Colorado. If you are interested in helping with any of the projects, be sure to keep an eye on your email and mark your calendars.
This is a link to some of the upcoming activities.
Pancake
Breakfasts
come
to
a
close…
The pancake breakfast crew had a busy summer and finished the season off by serving cakes for the Poudre Fire Authority on Saturday, September 17. It was the first year for the Fire Authority breakfast and they had more than 100 attendees. They were able to raise almost $600 which they will use for life-saving smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, as well as other materials that help promote safety and well-being in our community. Thanks to all the Lions Club volunteers who have helped this year make our service to other groups possible!
The
Lions Club
is moving …
Beginning December 1, we will be meeting in the Foxtail Room at the Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Drive, Fort Collins, 80526. All Occasions Catering will be providing our meals the first three Thursdays of each month. Subsequent meals will be a “box-lunch” type of meal with a sandwich (Subway, Jimmy Johns, etc.), chips, dessert, and drink. We look forward to our getting to know our new location!
Christmas Party
Monday, December 12
Location – Midtown Arts Center
More details to come
Take me out to the ballgame …
The purpose of the Colorado Lions Foundation’s Educational Scholarship Endowment Fund is to provide undergraduate educational scholarship funds to legal citizens within the State of Colorado and MD-6 who may or may not be associated with a Lion, Lioness or Leo. A Lion, Lioness or Lions Club is required to sponsor any applicant for this Scholarship.