PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE David Lambertson
Hello Fellow Lions!
I just returned from Russia and Sweden, and am filled with gratitude that I live here in Fort Collins! We have such caring people in our club and our community.
I noticed in Russia that there were far fewer charities of any kind. There, the government has traditionally taken care of people, but that is changing, and there are few organizations to fill the gap. The poor often go to the forest and pick mushrooms that they then try to sell in the city to get a little extra cash. Begging is not a part of the culture, and neither is charity, according to my in-laws. A program like ours, where free glasses would be given away, would have hundreds or thousands of callers each month after people knew that it was real.
In Russia, a normal family of three people live in a small apartment with two very small bedrooms, one small living room, one tiny bathroom, and a very small kitchen, somewhere around 450 square feet. Maybe a third, or less, of the families have a car. They eat out very seldom-perhaps once a month or less, not even McDonalds. Therefore, a little money goes a long way, and fewer people have debt. Here in Fort Collins we could learn a bit about living within our means to avoid pressure, foreclosures, debt, and misery. The people I met were not miserable living within their means, nor poor, and assumed that they would live in a small apartment while spending only what they earned. It really made me think about what we value here and what we take for granted.
That said, we are truly rich here, even the so called middle class. Even many unemployed people and people who live on government subsidies have a single family dwelling, at least one car, and lots of stuff such as cell phones, home electronics, plenty of furniture, bicycles, clothes etc. I am not saying all is equal, but I do believe that most of us could give away or sell 2/3 of our things and still live comfortably. That is one reason we feel the need to give back, and that need to give back should motivate us as Lions. Let’s share the opportunity with our friends and neighbors. Many of them want the volunteer opportunity that we have, but they don’t know it yet. Many of them want that meaning in their lives too. Many of them would love a group like ours if given the chance. Let’s invite them to lunch.
Camp Sweet Pea – Lion Wayne Crownhart
Camp Sweet Pea for young people with Type I diabetes was held August 3-4 at Mountain Gymnastics. Our committee had approved and made a $500 contribution so the camp could purchase large, permanent storage boxes and games to be used at the camp. On Friday morning, before campers arrived, I placed Lions emblems on 4 of the containers (not knowing how many they were going to purchase—we didn’t have enough decals for all). On Saturday, Jan and I went back to get a picture when the kids were all there. Attached is a shot we took with Karen Brueggen, our staff contact at PVHS and one of the directors at the camp.
I have since had Irene order additional decals and will be putting them on the balance of the storage boxes as soon as I can meet with the person storing them.
This is a very good project for us to support. The camp has been held each summer for many years and continues to grow each year. Many of the kids who attended when they were very young are now teen assistants at the camp, and many adult volunteers help with the many games and projects during the two-day event.
Lions Club Picnic 2012
Thanks again to the Picnic Committee for their hard work to make the picnic a success. Lots of good food and fellowship!
Let’s support our neighboring Lions Clubs this upcoming Labor Day weekend.
Sept 2, 2012 Pancake Breakfast – Windsor Lions; Windsor Middle School; 7:00-11:00AM
Sept 2, 2012 Pancake Breakfast – Red Feather Lakes Lions; POA; 7:30 – 10:30AM
Sept 2, 2012 Bingo in the Park – Windsor Lions; Windsor Main Park; 1:00 – 6:00PM
Sept 3, 2012 Miller Farm Pancake and Sausage Breakfast – Five Lions Clubs, Ensight and Hearing Dogs School participating; 8:00 – 11:00AM; Contact Curtis Mork (303-775-5673)
Sept 3, 2012 Bingo in the Park – Windsor Lions – Windsor Main Park; 12:00 – 5:00PM
Lee Brown introduces the incredible bluegrass band, Lonesome Traveler: Chad Fisher, Jodi Boyce, Rick Scott, Evan Neal and Dustin Scott.
