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President’s Message June 2011

June 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

“If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough.”
Mario Andretti

Dear Damascus Lions,

Wow!  What a year it has been.  A part of me can’t believe that it’s almost over.  This will be my last newsletter article as King Lion for this year.  I think I must have been going fast enough since I rarely felt that everything was under control.  And it’s no wonder, we are a very active club.  It has been an honor and privilege to represent you this year, for I know of no better group of people I would like to be associated with.

We have accomplished much this past year and I could fill the entire newsletter with thanks to each of you who have stepped up and helped out this year in many ways and we still have one more month to go.  Each and every one of you is needed to help us do what we do – We Serve.  And without your contributions of time, dedication, and spirit, we would not have the outstanding club that we do.

May activities started out with White Cane collections.  Lion Wayne Marr does a great job getting us set up to collect, but we did not have enough volunteers to man all the posts for the allotted times.  Even so, collections were good and we thank Lion Wayne and his management crew as well as the collection volunteers for their time and work.

Lion Mary Frances Gosnell organized a wonderful Youth Night for us where we honored the young people of Damascus and Clarksburg.  The jazz ensemble from DHS entertained us with fine music and we recognized the efforts and accomplishments of our local schools and scholars.

Lion Carol could use more help with our Highway Cleanup Crew.  We’ve had some bad weather breaks this spring for our scheduled pickups.  If we can get another date lined up for June, please come help, even if it’s just for an hour.  Especially for this job, many hands make lighter work!

Lions Martin Carr, Mary Frances Gosnell and I attended the Multiple District Convention in May in Salisbury.  It was my first convention and was very interesting.  We were fortunate to have the International President (The “Kingliest” Lion??) in attendance for the convention.  One of the most interesting parts for me was the early morning session he did on Sunday when he did a Q & A session with those who attended.

Also in May, we held our third blood drive with Inova Blood Services.  Lion Ken Cook reports that it was our most successful drive so far this year!  Thanks to those who helped get the room prepared, put the signs up in town, and staffed the reception and canteen areas.  We are so encouraged that we are going to do a summer drive on July 25th.  This drive will utilize the mobile collection unit which will be parked at Sandy Spring Bank.  Thanks, Lions Ken and Alice Denell for taking the initiative on adding an extra drive to our list.  As the time approaches, we will let you know what kind of help is needed for that drive.  It will be the first time we’ve done one with the mobile unit, so we’re still learning.

In keeping with tradition, we participated in the Memorial Day service at the American Legion honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom in this country. I’ve always been moved by such celebrations, and probably now even more so since Nick is currently enlisted in the Air Force.  Thank goodness there were no bagpipers this year.  The weather was pleasant and the ceremony was well attended.  It’s good to be a part of a community that cares so deeply and continues to recognize the men and women in the service.  Thank you to our own Lions Club members who have served in the military.

Still to come this month is our most profitable fund-raiser – the Golf Tournament.  This is the 8th year we have done this and each one outdoes the last.  This year we are going to a new location at Glade Valley Golf Club in Walkersville.  We have a few more pre-registered golfers than last year so we anticipate another great tournament.  Lions Bob Snapp, Mike Thornett and John Warfield know how to put together a great event!!  If the weather cooperates, it’s a day that can’t be beat.  Thanks to all who make this happen, both the golfers and the volunteers for the day.

We also thank Lions Tammy and Charlie Hertel for offering their home for our picnic this year.  Catering will be provided by Tom & Ray’s Restaurant and we are looking forward to a fun, relaxed evening of fellowship and food.

 

Saturday the 11th of June is the date of the DVFD bike ride.  If you are able to lend them a hand, they are still looking for volunteers to help out for the ride.  Charlie & I plan to go on the ride, so we need your support!  Please call Tracy at 301.356.5510 and let her know you are available to help.  Bikers are morning people so you’ll have plenty of time to do other activities after the ride is over.

We will cap off our month with Installation Night at the Cracked Claw in Urbana.  We will close out our year and install our new officers for 2011-12.  I know that you will give them all the support and help that you can to make next year even better.

My last special thanks go to my husband, Lion Charlie Holpuch, who has supported me throughout the year as I ran out the door (again) hollering, “It’s a Lions thing, honey!”

Thank you all for what you do for the club, the community and each other.  Here’s to YOU, Damascus Lions!!

Yours in Service,

~King Lion Marcia

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President’s Message May 2011

May 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

April showers bring May flowers.

I’m not sure where this little saying comes from, but if there’s any truth to it at all, we’re headed for a lovely, colorful May, for we’ve certainly had our share of April showers.

It rained on April 14th and it poured on April 16th, but for the opening of the Skate Park on April 15 the sun was shining.  It was a wonderful, breezy, spring day and the Lions were at the Damascus Community Recreation Center to officially open the park.  Many thanks to all who attended the ceremony.  We will be getting a sign to indicate our support of the park and let the community know that the Lions are serving.  There were many young people in attendance to enjoy the opening of the park ~ though I don’t think they were very interested in the speakers or the ceremony!  The park will be open when the Rec Center is open.  Extended park hours are available when there is a volunteer to open the gate and stay nearby.  If you would like to volunteer to open the park, either on a regular or occasional basis, please talk with Lion Tom Didone.  Drawn like moths to a light, when the gate is open, young people appear!  What a great facility for the youth of Damascus.  Thanks to all who helped to make this happen and your commitment to the future of the park.

Lions Gary Rogers, Carol & Charlie Stone, Vicki Dotterer, Mary Frances Gosnell and myself represented our club at the District year-end celebration in April.  Our club was also well-represented with students in the Honors Band.  Of 80 musicians, 19 of them were from Damascus and Clarksburg High Schools.  The district scholarships were presented to the students with Clarksburg student Luis Rosales receiving a 2nd place scholarship, Damascus student Robert Williams a 1st place and Joshua Tsai was presented with the Outstanding Musician recognition and top scholarship.  These students must commit to at least 2 years of participation in the Honors Band in order to be eligible to audition for a scholarship.  Our congratulations go to these young people who have excelled at their instruments and bring music to our lives.  The District Humanitarian Award was presented to the founding Director of Melwood, Earl Copus, Jr., who shared captivating stories of the founding and growth of Melwood.  The keynote speaker, Past International Director Leland Kolkmeyer, was interesting as well.  Overall, it was a better-than-usual 22-C Night!  With the exception of the severe weather, it was a great evening.

As this year begins to come to a close, I am happy to report that we have completed the required number of visitations.  With our April program on hearing, we have completed the requirements for the district 5-star award.  The district awards lunch will be held on June 18th and all Lions are welcome to attend.  Please let me know if you are interested in attending the luncheon.

The Multiple District convention is this month in Salisbury, MD.  Attending a convention can be a great experience in learning and fellowship.  Anyone who is interested in attending is encouraged to go.  You can choose to attend any part of the convention.  Lion Mary Frances has all the information you need and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Congratulations to our new officers!  As they gear up for the new year, let them know which projects you would like to be part of.  We are looking for some new fund-raisers to take the place of the Big Band Dance and your ideas are so welcome.

Golf Tournament time is coming up quickly.  We need many volunteers to help out for the day.  We are at a new location this year, so there will undoubtedly be some changes.  If you can be there to help, would like to sponsor a hole or just learn more about what you can do, please see Lions Bob Snapp, Mike Thornett or John Warfield.  The golf tournament has been one of our biggest fundraisers and is important to the club in maintaining our ability to support our other activities in the community.

Our semi-annual White Cane Days are scheduled for the first week of May.  If you haven’t already signed up for a shift, please see Lion Wayne Marr to get on his roster.  White Cane funds make it possible for us to provide much needed help in the community for eye exams and eyeglasses.
We will be having our last blood drive before the summer break at the end of this month on the 23rd.  The timing of this drive will help provide blood for the Memorial Day weekend.  It also eliminates the scheduling conflicts with the Golf Tournament.  We need volunteers to staff the registration area and the canteen on the day of the drive as well as phone volunteers to remind our donors and the Rec Center and a few other small projects.  If you can help, just let me know.

The DVFD needs to replace the roof on the Activities Building on Lewis Drive.  They are holding 2 events this spring to raise funds to support that cause and have asked for our help.  The first event is a motorcycle ride on the 21st of May and the second is a bicycle ride on the 11th of June.  We are supporting both events financially, but they also need volunteers on those days for a variety of duties.  Of course, we want a nice, dry Activities Building, so do what you can to help!  Polish up that Harley and register for the motorcycle ride or pump up your tires and register for the bike ride or simply sign up to lend a hand at either event or be really crazy and help out at both events!

I spoke with Lions Tuck & Eloise and Tuck continues to make good progress.  He is still at Washington Hospital Center where they are now rather well-known!  It is anticipated that he may be released to go home next week.  Once he gets settled, they will welcome visitors who are not dressed in lab coats.  We’ll let you know when he gets home so you can give them a call and schedule a visit.

Last month we enjoyed the presentation on running and climbing by our very own athlete, Pattu Durairaj, who has climbed mountains and run a marathon on every continent ~ and has the medal to prove it.  What a fascinating accomplishment and we thank him for sharing his experiences with us.  Tonight we honor and recognize the various youth organizations in the Damascus and Clarksburg areas.  Our entertainment is a string quintet from Damascus High School.  Lion Mary Frances has put together the program and we hope that you enjoy the evening.

Yours in Service,

King Lion Marcia

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President’s Message March 2011

March 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Dear Damascus Lions,

Let’s hope that March comes in like a lamb and stays that way!  Let’s keep the “lion” activity to the club and out of the weather forecast.  We have just passed our “slow” season for the club, and with the warming of the weather, our activities are warming up too.

This month we have several activities and rely on the power of the club to make them the “best ones yet.”  To start, we have our club auction at the March 15th meeting.  Our auction provides the bulk of our administrative funding.  By raising money at the auction, we are able to keep our dues low.  So go through your “stuff” and pick some items to donate to the auction.  Then come to the meeting with your honey and your money for a fun evening of auction action.  Let me know as soon as you can what you are donating so that we can have a list for the meeting.  Get donation forms at our web site at damascuslions.org

Next up is our spring Pancake Breakfast on March 19.  We need your help to staff the kitchen and dining room.  The bake table remains very popular (no wonder, with all the marvelous cooks in our midst) and needs to be fully stocked.  Advance ticket sales insure us a profit, get some from Lion Joy and sell them to your friends and neighbors.  Tickets are $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children 4-8.   Be sure to sign up for a shift to help out, too.  Nothing starts your day out right like a good breakfast!!

Our last activity for March is the blood drive on the 28th.  Lion Ken Cook will need your assistance for phone calls, room setup, donor check-in and the recovery area.  Phone lists will be available at the meeting on the 15th.  Sign up to be a donor at www.inova.org/bloodsaves.  One donation can help up to 3 people – talk about multiplying yourself!!

The Nominating Committee has completed their work on a slate of officers for next year.  Please be prepared to vote for your choices at our first meeting in April.  Participation by the full membership makes our club one of the best places to invest your time in our community.  Thanks for your continued support.

Yours in Service,

King Lion Marcia

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In-House Auction 2011

March 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

DAMASCUS LIONS CLUB IN-HOUSE AUCTION MARCH 15, 2011   DOWNLOAD DONATION FORM HERE

Monies solicited from the public to advance various charitable activities cannot be used for internal administrative cost of our club. Each year, club members are asked to donate goods or services and we hold an “In-House Auction” to raise funds to cover these administrative costs.  This keeps our club dues more reasonable!!  Your participation in the auction is VERY important to the club.

 

All members are encouraged to make a donation.  Be creative!  Some examples of past donated items include: homemade baked goods, computer lessons, turkey dinner tickets, gift cards, an evening of dinner at home, dinner out, airport shuttles, handcrafted items, use of rototiller, use of a truck, snow blowing service, firewood, beach house or condo time, airplane rides, antiques, collectibles, athletic event tickets, telephone installation, auto detailing, yard work, lottery tickets, liquor, furniture, jewelry, clothes and unwanted gifts.  This is a marvelous time to unload that holiday present you just weren’t quite so excited to receive.  Items can be new or used condition.  I hope you’ve been saving your stuff!!

 

Even if you will be out of town we can still sell your item for the benefit of the club. Cash donations to the club treasury are also accepted.

 

Here’s our schedule.  It is abbreviated due to the amazing weather we’ve been having:

Feb. 15 Mtg.– Donation Form passed out. If you already know what you’ll donate turn in the form tonight.

 

Mar. 1 Mtg.– In my perfect world, donation forms will all be turned in.  More forms will be available.

 

Mar. 13 – All donation forms need to be submitted  so sales flyer can be prepared. (or send an email)

 

Mar. 15 Mtg. – (Auction Night) bring the goods to be sold.  Spouses are very welcome to join us.

 

(Last minute items will be sold but won’t appear in printed handout at Auction, but please try to get your information to us so we can prepare a list of items to be sold.)

 

Submit this form to Marcia Holpuch 240-830-9405, or Jack Peters 301-253-2589 at the March 1st meeting. Final deadline by phone, mail or email is March 13th to allow time to compile the auction listing.  DOWNLOAD THE AUCTION FORM HERE.  You can also send an email indicating your donation to Marcia at holpuch@verizon.net.  If you need help transporting your item(s) to the meeting, just give a shout and we’ll help you out!

 

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President’s Message – January 2011

January 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

January 1, 2011

Dear Fellow Lions,

Happy New Year!!  It’s 1-1-11.  Clearly a new start.  I hope that you have all enjoyed the holidays with friends and family.  2010 certainly ended with unusually warm weather.  A nice close to a busy and successful year.  We capped off the year with our last big project of 2010 with the holiday baskets.  There are so many of you to thank.  From the Leos and students with their can drive, the schleppers, the sorters, the packers, the shoppers, the wrappers, the riders, the donors, the collectors and the deliverers to the clean-up crew.  The holidays bring out the best in us as we work together to serve our community.  Lion Mary Frances has the logistics so well planned, we just have to show up and do our part.  Thanks to her and all the Lions who turned out to help.  We also had a few prospective members join us and that is encouraging as we continue to reach out and be present in Damascus and Clarksburg.  Receiving the bonus gifts and donation from the motorcycle club was a wonderful surprise.  We were able to find needy families for most everything we received.  We are blessed.

Lion Sue Suddath was joined by several other club members way back in the beginning of December for the birthday party at the Senior Center.  Our activities with them are so special, both to the Seniors as well as to the members who plan and hold the birthday parties.  It’s funny how you can’t really give without receiving, too.  Our thanks to Lion Sue and the rest of the “Birthday Gang.”

We only have a couple of activities on the books for this month ~ and they both fall on the Martin Luther King weekend.  First up is the NBC 4 Health & Fitness Expo on January 15th and 16th.  We have taken a slot to work the mobile health unit bus on the morning of January 15th.  We will go to the convention center on the Metro and get everything set up and going as the expo begins.  If you would like to take part in this, just let Lion Jerry Warfield know.  It’s a fun morning and if we have enough hands, you will have an opportunity to make a lap around the expo and see some of the many interesting and informative displays.

Our second activity is the blood drive, on Monday the 17th.  After much frustration with the American Red Cross, we are trying a different blood collection group, INOVA Blood Services.  INOVA is the blood provider to Bethesda Navy Medical, Walter Reed, Montgomery General and many other hospitals in our area.  Additionally, they participate in nation-wide critical need emergencies, providing blood to areas in crisis.  We need to show INOVA that we are a major blood drive, so if you are a donor, please log onto their web site and book yourself an appointment.  The page is at https://www.inovabloodsaves.org/ and you can pass this on to your friends and family.  It would be wonderful to have all our appointments booked in advance.  INOVA will accept walk-in donors as space/time is available to process them.  We will need Lions to make calls to our former donors to let them know about the changes and encourage them to donate at this drive.

What an exciting year we have ahead of us!!

Yours in Service,

King Lion Marcia

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President’s Message – December 2010

December 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

An African proverb tells us, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Working together.  That’s the Lion way.  During this season of giving, we are quite busy working together and thankful to be in a place where we can help others.  We will go far.

Last month, we delivered Thanksgiving meals to 30 families.  And this month we will do it again, and then some, with Christmas gifts for all.  Thanks to all the Lions who contributed to these two major projects.  From the food collectors, sorters, packers and shoppers to the delivery teams and clean up crew, the donation collector and the donors,  it takes a lot of hands to accomplish these tasks.  Thanks, too, for taking the name of a child and getting their gift.  To a family that is struggling during these times, your generosity helps make their holiday a better day.  Our holiday basket coordinator, Lion Mary Frances Gosnell, along with her core team of “elves,” spends the better part of November and December making sure we are ready to roll.  Thank you all for your time and effort.

I recently received our report from LCOF on our eyeglass donations.  Thru the end of November, we have collected over 500 pairs of glasses!  Much thanks go to our eyeglass collection Lions, Shyue & Su Huang and Lion Del Mayhew who is our representative to LCOF and gets the donated glasses into the system.  Your work brings sight to literally hundreds of people… think about it!

We continue our vision mission locally, with Lion Midge Tench screening requests for eye exams and glasses.  The number of requests has increased this year and we are grateful for Midge’s work in this area.  It’s not always easy to determine the level of need for such requests and Midge does an outstanding job.  Thank you Lion Midge!

The Red Cross terminated our blood drive last month due to stink bugs.  Yes, you read that right, there were too many stink bugs in the activity building for them to continue to collect blood.  Living out here in “the country,” it never occurred to me that there would be such a criteria, but there you have it.  Fortunately, a mouse did not run across the floor, too.  Thank you, Lion Charlie Hertel for not injuring any of the Red Cross staff.  Thank you to all the Lions who came and helped to set up and make the blood drive one of our top projects.  New Lion Ken Cook will be our new face for the blood drives.  Our next drive is scheduled for Monday, January 17th, Martin Luther King Day.  Working together, we are not about to be derailed by stink bugs… or the Red Cross.

The weather has turned cold here on us and has slowed progress on the skate park.  It is nearly done, with the surface material still to be installed on the equipment; we may see it open later this month.  Keep your eyes peeled for the announcement on the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Our schedule for the month of December is not normal.  We will have our regular dinner meeting on the 7th at Wesley Grove, and then our Christmas party will be the following week on the 14th at Damascus United Methodist.  The board meeting will be on the 21st at Gladhill Bros. This change was made to facilitate the holiday delivery schedule.  Please see the timeline for that project in the newsletter.

We accomplish so much together!  May you also enjoy your holiday with family and friends this season.  Be safe, stay warm and love with all your heart.

Yours in Service,

King Lion Marcia

Filed Under: Members' Blog, President's Message

President’s Message – November 2010

November 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The President’s Message

If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap.

If you want happiness for a day, go fishing.

If you want happiness for a month, get married.

If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune.

If you want happiness for a lifetime, help others.

- Chinese Proverb

Based on the proverb, Damascus Lions can expect happiness for a lifetime.  There can be no doubt that we help others.  October was a very busy month for us with activities going on every weekend but the last.  We kicked off the month with our 64th Year Charter Night celebration with our guest speaker, District Governor Sandi Halterman.  Congratulations go particularly to Lion Mike Thornett, recipient of the Emerson Slacum Community Service Award; Lion of the Year Honoree, Lion Gary Rogers; and Lion of the Years, Lion Ken Phillips.    It is a difficult task to honor a single Lion in this club as so many are worthy!  Thanks to the selection committees who were burdened with the job and finally settled on these three valued recipients.

Before the dust settled, we were on to Basket Bingo on Friday to raise funds for our scholarship program.  Many Lions stepped up at the 11th hour to sponsor baskets and sell tickets and pushed us to our goal for the year.  Many pairs of eyeglasses were collected that will be sent to the recycling center.  Thanks to you all for your rally and support.  Lions Mary Frances and Tess have this event down to a fine art with the organization and planning.

Pancake Breakfast was also a success thanks to the help of many.  Club members turned out in quantity and worked the floor, minimizing the effect of the missing Leos.  The bake table was well-appointed and saw great sales for the day and there was a steady stream of customers enjoying the great menu that went into production long before daybreak.  Lions Joy & Sue join me in thanking the ticket sellers, cooks, servers, floor staff, bakery group, dishwashers, ticket-takers and clean up crew (did I get everyone?) for their help and cheery attitudes and making it another fun Lion activity.

Clean Up Damascus Day was provided a boost with Lions helping to staff the registration area.  Thank you to those who signed up to help.  Lion Carol Cook headed up a road crew for our club to add our contribution to the beautification of Damascus for the day.  Route 27 looks so much better after the Damascus Lions go down the road.  Thanks to all who showed up to help.  An additional activity for the day was the ground-breaking ceremony held at the Recreation Center for the Skate Park.  3rd VP Lion Barbara Barry was our official representative, joined by County Council Chair Ike Leggett and one of our newest members, Lion Tom Didone, as well as past member Linda Panagoulas, Director of the Rec. Center, and organizers of Clean–Up Damascus Day, Sue and Mindy Miller.  There is a photo on the Montgomery County government web site and the Gazette ran an article on the park as well.

So catch your breath and gear up for November.  The pace is actually a bit slower, but not by a lot.  We’ll be participating in the Thanksgiving food distribution on the 20th.  And we have a blood drive scheduled for Monday, November 22nd.  Remember, there’s a new process in place now to give blood.  You need to sign up in advance with the Red Cross for a time slot.  Christmas will be upon us before you know it and we’ll be getting our children to shop for this month.

Once again, I hope I have included everything here you need to know and haven’t left out something important.  I am so proud of this club and the great work you do.  Be involved and enjoy happiness for a lifetime.

Yours in Service,

King Lion Marcia

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President’s Message September 2010

September 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Dear Fellow Lions,

It’s hard to believe that it’s September already.  The kids are back in school and there’s (finally) a hint of fall crispness in the air.  It’s like a new beginning at the last third of the year.  I love the fall with the beautiful colors as the trees give up their leaves and prepare for the winter.  Neither the air conditioning nor the heater need to be running!  And it marks the start of the football season, too.

August was a busy month for us, just like every other month of the year.  Thanks to all the Lions who helped with our projects at the Montgomery County Fair.  Lions Gary Rogers & Charlie Hertel play our leading men for ice cream dipping and they really “scooped” the job up!  Lions Joy & Mary Frances set up a great looking display featuring Damascus Lions in action at the membership & information table.  Lion Gary’s role at the district level made sure the space was all spiffed up and ready to go ~ and it sure did look great this year.  Lion Charlie lined up plenty of help for our dipping day and there’s just not enough space here to list all the club members & Leos who contributed to the fun, but you are all appreciated for your help.  I hope you each got an ice cream pin to remember the special day.  If you did not and you would like one, please see Lion Gary.  He had the pins made in commemoration of our 30th year of ice cream bliss and they are $3 each.  Our second act at the fair starred that snazzy couple, Lions Rusty & Dee Reichmeider, at the Mobile Health Unit (eye bus) on Thursday.  They lined up helpers to do vision and hearing screenings to any interested fair goers.  They were joined by members of the Potomac Lions Club for part of the afternoon and had a great day of service and fellowship.  Thanks again to all who helped and especially the leaders for coordinating these two important projects.

The American Red Cross classically runs low on blood supplies during the summer.  It’s been that way forever.  I’ve been a blood donor since I was 18 ~ never mind how long that is ~ and every year the blood supply falls dangerously low as people go about their lives with travel and other activities during the summer months and donations drop.  Our resident bloodhound, Lion Charlie Hertel, got a call from the Red Cross on Aug. 20th to do an extra blood drive on Aug. 27th.  They told him that they expected to collect 300 units of blood.  We have some of the best blood drives around, but on a really great day, we generally collect just a little over 100 units.  Now they’ve changed some of their procedures and they want everyone to have an appointment prior to the drive.  In all honesty, we’ve had some reservations about such a policy.  Nevertheless, always willing to help and do what he can, Lion Charlie secured the activity building for the 27th and the Red Cross said they’d take care of the rest.  By Wednesday, the drive was loaded with appointments and they were considered “full” and would not be taking any walk-ins. Now granted, they said they’d give a Redskin ticket to all donors, and I’m not sure if that was the draw or what, but when I walked into the building at 10:30 I could not believe my eyes.  The room was packed with donors and collection chairs and interview booths.  Good thing there weren’t any flies in the room because I’m pretty sure I just stood there with my mouth agape.  “Holy Cow!” was the limit of my vocabulary.  It was easily 3 times the set up of our normal blood drive.  Lions Joy and Mary Frances gave away popcorn and membership information.  I haven’t heard the final collection number, but I have little doubt that they reached their goal of 300 units.  They put out the call on Facebook and the drive was full before the information ever hit the Gazette on Wednesday.  I personally have not jumped on the Facebook bandwagon, and again, whether it was the free Redskin ticket or the Facebook exposure, I couldn’t tell you, but that was one “happening” blood drive.  After I get this article submitted, I’ll create a Facebook page for the club.  If this is the kind of result it gets, we want some of it!!  We will still be having our “regular” blood drive on Monday the 20th of September.  Thanks to all the Lions who helped this event take place, get the room set up, and provide a Lions presence.  And especially to Lion Charlie who went the extra mile ~ where there’s never a traffic jam.

This month is chock-full of activity, too.  We return to Wesley Grove UMC for our meetings tonight.  This weekend is the Damascus Community Fair and if you are available on Thursday evening, let Lion Tess know you can help check in fair entries.  Any time you can contribute will be appreciated.  Even an hour is a great help.  We will have the popcorn machine running and giving out free popcorn to all takers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so see Lion Mary Frances to sign up for a time slot in the booth.  Again, even just a little time is a great help.  Ideally we should have 2 people in the booth at all times.  If everyone put in an hour sometime over the weekend, then the booth would be fully staffed for the full event and

no one would be burdened, so please, do what you can.

The meeting of the Board of Directors will be on Tuesday, Sept. 14th at Gladhill Bros. Tractors.  We thank Lion Tess for her generosity in offering the club a free meeting location.  These are open meetings and all club members are welcome.  If you have an idea for an activity for the club, a fundraising idea or just want to understand the “inner mechanism” better, feel free to join us.

The weekend of Sept. 15-18 is our fall White Cane collection. Lion Wayne Marr coordinates this event.  White Cane funds support our vision projects.  We help provide eye exams and glasses for those in our community that are having financial difficulty from children to the elderly.  Your 2 hour shift collecting donations makes it possible for us to help many people throughout the year.  Lion Wayne has met the challenge of securing locations for us to collect and needs your help in manning all the locations and times.  Do what you can to help.

Our second meeting on the 21st is prospective member night.  Prospective member night works best when we bring people.  You know someone that you like enough to invite to this meeting.  Give them an opportunity to see what Lions are and what we do.  Extend and invitation to them and bring them to the meeting.  They just might accept your offer.  Call Lion Joy and let her know who you are bringing.  Plus, we need to make sure we have enough food to feed them well.  Guests at prospective member night do not pay for their meal ~ another incentive ~ you can invite them to a free dinner AND a chance to check out our great club.

Before you know it, it will be October, and the month starts out fast with our Charter Night celebration, Basket Bingo, and Pancake Breakfast all at the beginning of the month. Please get your reservations in for our 64th Charter Night ASAP.  Lion Mary Frances will be looking for Bingo helpers for October 8th.  If pancakes are your thing, see Lions Joy and Sue to help serve a yummy breakfast on the 16th.  Talk up basket bingo with your friends and neighbors and start selling tickets now for both the bingo and pancakes.  Bingo supports our scholarship program and is an important fundraising event for our club.  And the more pancake tickets we sell, the more funds we have available to make a difference in our community.

I hope I haven’t left anything out.  We are such an active club and I do try to keep on top of everything that’s going on.  I have a couple of “housekeeping” items to hit here.  Please check your home and cell phones and change my phone number to 240.380.9405.  I have changed cell phones and I forget to check the old one on a regular basis.  If you don’t hear back from me, don’t hesitate to call the house and leave a message.  Trust me, you won’t be a bother.  I’ll send an email message when I have our Facebook page set up.  Don’t forget to ask a friend to come to prospective member night on the 21st.

Yours in Service,

King Lion Marcia

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President’s Message – August 2010

August 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Dear Fellow Lions,

I am so glad that July is over!!  It was a month of ups and downs and dreadfully hot days and nights. And at least for the time being, the temperature has gone back to “normal.”

The month began on a sad note with the passing of Lion Margaret Duvall who will be missed by us all.

Then we had the gaiety of Celebrate Damascus with our participation in the parade, the wonderful fireworks and the very successful flea market.  Thanks to Lion Tess for providing the tractor and trailer for us to ride in the parade.  We had a good showing with Lions in the parade.  Lion Tony drove for us and didn’t toss a single one off the wagon.  Good job, Lion Tony!  And kudos to Lion Charlie Hertel for braving the heat as our cute little mascot.  There’s nothing quite like the faces of the children along the parade route when they see the lion.  They just light up.  On Saturday, Lions Tess and Jerry were up and at ‘em early for the flea market.  The weather was dreary in the morning and the car show cancelled for the first time ever, dropping attendance to an all-time low.  Even so, booth rentals were prepaid and about half showed up for the day.  Lion Jerry was on to a great idea with a Lions booth for ‘fleas.’  A steady stream of donations came in and kept the merchandise “fresh” and just begging for someone to make a great deal.  Thanks to all who participated in the events of the weekend.

17 club members, along with 38 friends and family descended on Frederick on the 27th to take in a Keys baseball game (see pictures on page 4).  The weather was just right for a ball game and a good time was had by all.  At least within our group.  The Keys struggled against the Lynchburg Hillcats and were soundly beaten.  It was a busy night at the stadium with the appearance of Bryan Voltaggio of Top Chef fame.  If you didn’t mind standing in line for an hour or so, you could sample his wares.  The first 1000 fans got a bobble head doll of the chef.  To the best of my knowledge, no one in the club got a doll.  But we were fortunate in that Robert Legard, a member of the Lovettsville, VA Lions Club, was seated directly in front of us. We struck up a conversation, gave him a club visitation and he gave us one of his bobble head dolls.  Now I just wouldn’t feel right keeping this cherished collectible for myself, so look for it in the auction in the spring.  And before you ask, no, I did not stand in line for an hour to get it signed.

We ended the month back on a sad note as we said our good byes to Lion Kenneth King.  It is my sincere hope that the rest of the club members enjoy good health for a very long time.  It’s tough having two services so close together and to lose two such fine Lions as Margaret and Kenneth.  Keep their families in your prayers.

So August can only get better, right??  We’ll start off with our traditional fried chicken and veggies at our only dinner meeting in August at Montgomery United Methodist Church.  Partner in Service, Kate Warfield, made special effort to be sure we were returning to Montgomery for our August dinner as a tribute to Lion Albert.  Much thanks to Lion Roy Stanley for providing the corn for dinner this year.  And also thanks to Lion Gary Rogers for providing the ice cream to help the cake go down a little easier.  PDG Bill Lynch will be our speaker for the meeting, bringing us all up to date on Lions Camp Merrick.

Our second August meeting will be at the fair on the 17th as our ice cream dipping day.  Lion Gary and crew have spent weeks readying the Dairy Barn for this year’s fair.  Be sure to call Lion Charlie Hertel to let him know you are coming to help dip or run a register or herd the crowds.  This is a fun day at the fair and it really is good ice cream.  On Thursday, we will man the mobile health unit.  We’re looking for volunteers to work shifts that day also.

For our September meeting, we will be returning to our “home” base at Wesley Grove.

I am working on finalizing committee chairs and assignments.  This year, we are developing each committee to have two chairs – a mentor/mentee (is that really a word??) setup so that we are in a better position as a club to function.  Additionally, we are setting up committee members so that everyone knows what committees they are serving on and can be focused on the events and activities they are most interested in.  Please sign up for the committee(s) of your choice.

Let’s hope we don’t have the prolonged heat wave in August that we had in July.

See you at the fair!!

~King Lion Marcia

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President's Message – July 2010

July 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Happy New Year!  July marks the start of our Lion’s year.  I would like to start out by thanking Immediate Past President Mary Frances for her dedication and service to the club this past year.  And congratulations to all on attaining District 22-C 5-star award status again this year.  The 5-star award is an achievement that the entire club can take pride in.  It is the district recognition that Damascus Lions maintain a high level of service in multiple areas of Lionism, including membership, youth programs, activities, publicity and community service. 

One thing is for sure; our club just doesn’t have a “down” period!!  By the time we have our first meeting, Lions Sue Suddath, Mary Frances Gosnell, Midge Tench, Ann Davis, Joy Schwab and unidentified others have celebrated birthdays at the senior center last Friday.  With that group, you know they had a fun party!

This weekend we Celebrate Damascus.  Thanks to Lion Tess, the club again has a “float” in the parade on Friday.  Lion Tony will be driving the tractor and we have plenty of room for Lions to join the fun and take a ride.  Stay and enjoy the fireworks.  On Saturday we have the flea market, this year at the DVFD grounds.  Lion Jerry is taking charge of a “flea table” for our club.  Bring her your stuff to sell for the good of the club.  If you can, spend an hour or two helping out. 

Our second meeting this month will be held in Frederick at a Keys baseball game.  We had such a fun time last year, let’s do it again.  Due to the Keys’ schedule, that meeting will be on Tuesday, July 27th.  Please let me know how many tickets you need.  Feel free to bring your friends and family to enjoy an evening of baseball.  There will be a flyer on this outing at the meeting and also posted on the website.  Have you seen the website lately??  Lion Cindee does an awesome job keeping it up-to-date with news, photos, copies of the Lions Tale and all.  Spend some time there and know what’s going on at www.damascuslions.org.

Our first August meeting will be held at Montgomery UM Church again this year.  We can look forward to a delicious meal and interesting program.  The 2nd August meeting is our night of Ice Cream dipping at the Montgomery County Fair.  See Lion Charlie Hertel to lend a hand with this annual event on Tues. August 17th.  Then on Thursday the 19th we have our day at the fair for vision and hearing screening.

There’s no shortage of activities to chose from.  Participate in those that you can.  We’re always glad to see you and enjoy the time we spend together serving the Damascus Community.  Here’s to a great year!

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