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President's Message – March 2010

March 10, 2010 By King Lion Mary Frances Gosnell Leave a Comment

While you are dreaming of planting seeds, fertilizing the lawn, watching the first crocuses bloom, just remember as of this newsletter, Spring is not far away – just 18 days.  THINK SPRING!

While at our last meeting I said that the groundhog didn’t see his shadow, I think I must have had my hood over my head too far!   In my lifetime in the Plateau of Maryland, I have seen the likes of this winter before but certainly not recently.  But I do know that I have seen the wind cause more problems than it did this time. Snow drifts up to the telephone poles!  The good thing is that we have all survived!  Hope you had time for some good ole homemade soup, a good book and time with the family.

At the February 2nd meeting, we acknowledged and honored Charter First Lady Ruby Hyatt and our first lady member, Lion Helen Boyer for their support and work with the Damascus Lions. A donation in honor of First Lady Ruby was sent to the Laytonsville Elementary School for a project that “Miss” Ruby will help select.  A donation in honor of Lion Helen Boyer was sent to the Women’s Board of Montgomery General Hospital.  Lion Helen is a Charter Member of the Board and instrumental in leading many of their projects.

Although our Board Meeting and second Dinner Meeting were cancelled and our activities were limited, we continued on in support of our members and community.

Associate Member Lion Rodney Duvall died on February 10.  Our Lions participated in a Memorial Service for Lion Rodney. Thanks to all 18 of the Lions who came and stood in honor of our deceased member.  The Damascus and Zephyrhills Lions supported the Damascus Vol. Fire Dept. in serving meals to the Duvall Family on Monday night and at the Tuesday Reception. 

Partner-In-Service Martha Slacum died Feb 19.  Martha was the widow of Charter Member Emerson Slacum.   

Please keep both the Duvall and the Slacum families in your thoughts and prayers.

Welcome to new members, Cheryl Wyatt and Cindee Rogers!  We look forward to working with these new Lions. Also, Welcome to new member, Lauren McCormick, Leo Advisor at Damascus High School

We have many great projects and fundraising events coming up.   I trust all of you will lend your support to help these events be successful ones.
Thank you for being a Lion, a Damascus Lion!

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Cleaning out the Medical Closet

February 15, 2010 By Lion Tom Jackson Leave a Comment

Friday morning, January 29, started out at a chilly 15 degrees. But still six of our hardy and well bundled up Lions showed up around 9 o’clock to help me clear out and clean up the medical loan closet of its overflowing contents. Within a little over an hour we had 2 full size pick-up trucks and two trailers loaded – Thanks Lion Warren and Lion Tony for bringing them.

We also had two smaller pick up trucks – Thanks to Lions Tuck and Eloise Woodfield and Lion Tom Jackson. All except for Lion Tom’s truck (loaded with only crutches) headed out to the BRETHERN CENTER in New Windsor, MD, to be distributed throughout the world as needed. Lion Tom’s truck went to Hopkins Children Center in Baltimore to be sent to Haiti which became quite an adventure as told here by Lion Tom.  (Tom”s Story).  Thanks to Lions Tom, Tony, Warren, Eloise, Tuck and Mary Francis. Your time and help is very much appreciated by me and you have helped to make a difference in someone’s life.

Tom’s Story: I got to the Children’s Center without any difficulty.  There was even a place to park right in front of the main door.   I should have known that was too easy.  The stock room they were storing the crutches in was overflowing.  So they sent me to the main hospital.   When I got there, first the officers out front didn’t know anything about crutches being delivered there.  After I explained the Children’s Center said they couldn’t take any more, they sent me inside to talk to the chief of security.   The chief said, yep, they had been taking the overflow, but now they were overflowing and had no more room.  So she called the lady who was coordinating the whole thing.  The lady was still at home, but about to leave for work.  But she wanted me to deliver them to her home if I would.   I said fine.  So I traipse off to somewhere in NE Baltimore (I saw parts of Baltimore I didn’t know existed, plus I went by Pimlico) to find this lady’s townhouse.   I got there just as she was leaving.  She wanted to keep track of how many pairs we delivered (67 it turns out) and she wanted me to tape the pairs together so they don’t get separated.  Her garage was already overflowing.  She had collected nearly 1200 pairs, counting ours.  Anyhow, trying to match up the pairs got to be an adventure because some didn’t seem to match any of the others, plus the tape used to hold them together froze so it wouldn’t unwrap.   Anyhow, they all got delivered, and I am now familiar with parts of Baltimore that few of us have seen.

If you need to borrow or want to donate items to our medical closet – click here.

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President’s Message February 2010

February 2, 2010 By King Lion Mary Frances Gosnell Leave a Comment

Fellow Lions - 

January is the month to reflect on what we, jointly and individually, plan to do for the rest of the year. Or at least we think about it!   We dream of great happenings, doing laborious work, repairing and cleaning out, traveling and being with family and friends.  We think of all the things we should or could do but never get around to it.  And then we just sit and watch a football game or read a good book!  We need a January in our lives at least once a year, don’t you think?

Congratulations to Lion Ken Phillips for being voted the Damascus Lions “Most Valuable Player”. Lion Ken will be honored at 22-C Night for his continued efforts with the Damascus Lions and Lionism.

My appreciation goes to –

  • Lion Jerry Mallack for coordinating the NBC4 Health & Fitness Expo at the DC Convention Center. We certainly made a difference that day along with other Lions of District 22-C.  There were referrals in the testing of eyes, the Glaucoma Testing, the hearing Tests and the Preschool Vision Testing.  We touched many lives that day!  Thanks for all the Lions who journeyed to the Expo.
  • Lion Charlie Hertel for great Blood Drives.  He had them at two churches and the large one on the ML King Holiday.  See his article elsewhere in this newsletter – Thanks to all that helped including Charlie’s family and all who came and gave blood.  Again we have touched many lives – we have saved lives with our efforts.
  • Lions Tess Gladhill and Jack Peters for coordinating the effort of cleaning out the Medical Loan Closet.  Excess or obsolete equipment was taken to the New Windsor Outreach Service Center for distribution to Third World Countries while the crutches were taken to Johns Hopkins Children Center for the Haitians.  Thanks to all that helped and those who provided trucks and delivered the equipment to New Windsor.

Our Membership Committee could use a bit of assistance.  Have you asked your family members, your friends, your neighbors or that special cashier in the grocery store if they would like to know more about the Lions and their work in our community? Why not try it – it can take a couple of years after planting the seed for it to grow!

We have several Fund Raisers coming up – the In-House Auction, Spring Pancake Breakfast, Big Band Dance and the Golf Tournament.  Mark your calendars now so that you can support them. 
Thank you, Damascus Lions, for all you do for our club, our community and our world!

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Health and Fitness Expo – Help Needed

January 4, 2010 By Lion Jerry Mallack Leave a Comment

The upcoming NBC4 Fitness Expo will be held at the Washington Convention Center.  Our club has signed up for a shift on Saturday, Jan. 16th from 9-11:30am.  We need about 10 people to fully cover the shift.  So far seven people have signed up, not counting Lions Tony and Barbara Berry – Lion Tony will be wearing the Lion’s costume and Lion Barbara will be walking around with him, so they really don’t count for helping with the screenings.   So we still need a few members to volunteer to help with the Vision and Hearing and Preschool Screening. 
 We will meet at the High School parking lot right across from Weis at 7:15-7:30am to car pool down to the Shady Grove Metro Station get on Metro around 8:00am to arrive at the Convention Center for our 9:00am shift.

Filed Under Members' Blog Tagged With community service

President's Message – Jan 2010

January 4, 2010 By King Lion Mary Frances Gosnell Leave a Comment

King Lion Mary Frances GosnellLions, I trust all of you had an enjoyable Holiday Season! And my wish for the New Year is that it will be kind to you!

Congratulations to Immediate Past President Eloise upon receiving the Presidents Diamond Award for Membership from International President Al Brandel as well as the President’s Excellence Award for 2008-09 Lions year. Also much Appreciation to all Lions as you helped make it happen for IPP Eloise.

As usual, December was a bustle and hustle time.

My appreciation goes to –

• Lion Sue Suddath for putting on a great Christmas/Birthday Party at the Senior Center. Sue served 4 different homemade cakes along with ice cream at the party. She had the Seniors playing games, doing art work and solving puzzles. All left with a gift bag of goodies as well. Thanks Sue!

• Thanks to Lion Charlie Holpuch for organizing the Christmas Dinner Party for us. The delightful musicians sure gave a festive touch of dinner music while we enjoyed our meal. The gift game was much fun and enjoyed by all. Thanks Charlie and Marcia!

• Thanks to all Lions for their participation in the Christmas Giving Project. It truly was a special time and a special giving project. See the “EXTRAORDINARY” article in this Lions Tale.

I trust all Lions received my New Year mailing. Please note on the Activities Schedule the change of meeting place for the Monthly Board Meetings. Montgomery County is requiring a fee for usage of their public buildings beginning in 2010.

I ask you to keep our Lions who are having health issues in your thoughts and prayers. Most of them would appreciate visitors as well. So if you have a few minutes, why not stop and visit with one of them.

Lions, Happy New Year and may 2010 be kind to you.

King Lion Mary Frances

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President's Message – December 09

December 1, 2009 By King Lion Mary Frances Gosnell Leave a Comment

King Lion Mary Frances GosnellThanksgiving is my favorite celebration time of the year!  No pretense – just a time to reflect on life itself and be thankful for so many different things while enjoying the holiday with family and friends.  O course, good food enters into the equation as well. 

Many holidays are not celebrated worldwide and Thanksgiving is one of them.  It is truly an American Holiday.  I didn’t stop to realize that until my Granddaughter said she had to work Thanksgiving Day and would late for dinner. “Why?” I asked.  And she explained that she worked with investments and equities worldwide, therefore had to be available for a designated time to serve all their clients.  We Americans have so many blessings; so many meaningful celebrations. It is time to stop and be thankful.  Now that the harvest has been reaped and preserved, the trees and plants need to take a rest from their labors and we are free citizens, we need to pause and gives thanks for our forefathers for giving us our freedom and wisdom so that we might  live  and experience great lifestyles in this wonderful country, United States of America.

As usual the Lions have experienced another busy month.  My thanks and appreciation goes to -

  • Lion Charlie Hertel for another successful Blood Drive.
  • Lion Tony Barry for coordinating the Hanging of the Greens. The bows and lights are new.  Lion Tony also did all the refurbishing for us.
  • Lion Martin Carr for coordinating the effort of sending 8500 used eye glasses to Monrovia, Liberia so others may see.
  • All Lions who delivered Certificates of Appreciation to 48 businesses.  14 were presented at the Business Appreciation Night.  Another way to stay connected to the business community. We asked so much from them – time to say thank you!
  • The 41 Lions who assisted with Thanksgiving Basket Project for 30 families. Blessings!

What a wonderful outpouring of concern and love we have demonstrated in accomplishing these projects.

Thanks to all!

As the Christmas Season approaches and we are involved in this part of our Holiday Giving Project, I wish to express my gratitude to each of you as members of the Damascus Lions for being a team player in serving our community.  As we heard at Business Appreciation Night, there are so many things you do as Lions that are behind-the-scene jobs.  You just automatically perform them in the best interest of the Damascus Lions.  And, I, for one, express my sincere appreciation for all you do in the name of Lions in serving our Damascus Community and surrounding areas.  You are SPECIAL FOLK – EVERYDAY HEROES!
Enjoy the Holidays!   Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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Holiday Giving Project Timeline

November 2, 2009 By King Lion Mary Frances Gosnell Leave a Comment

The Time Line for the Holiday Giving Project found below is subject to change.  I would suggest checking back frequently for changes.  And the reason for this unsettledness is that we are not scheduled to get our family names until Nov 6 at the latest.  We will have only a week to get in contact with the families or to find them, verify the info we need, and get it in format for the Nov. 17th meeting.  It will be a crucial time!

The Damascus Lions have elected to take 30 families again this year. However, the Board gave the approval of serving up to 5 more if we need to.  Faith Connections, Inc. formerly known as DELIA, will receive the approved family names from Montgomery County and are expecting approximately 300 compared to 250 last year.  So we have pressure from both ends – the need is greater yet we expect the fund availability will be less.  We will all strive to be prudent in our purchasing of clothing and foods and ask that you as Lions, who so unselfishly buy gifts for the children, do the same.   Kohl’s has agreed to give us 20% our purchases on our shopping spree.

Should you have any questions or would like to volunteer in some way, please contact Lion Mary Frances.

 

 

HOLIDAY BASKET 2009 TIME LINE

Thanksgiving Deliveries:

Nov. 3 - Sign up sheets available at dinner meeting for sorting and Delivery Teams for Thanksgiving

Nov. 19 - 3pm Pickup Food from Rocky Hill Middle School

Nov. 20 – 2pm Pickup Food from Damascus High School

Nov. 20 – 1pm Sort food and pack boxes at Damascus Motors

Nov. 21 – 8am Deliver Thanksgiving Baskets from Damascus Motors to recipients

Christmas Deliveries:

Nov. 17 – Children’s names will be distributed for Lions to purchase a toy/gift for a child.

Dec. 1 – Sign up sheets for duties and Delivery Teams for Christmas delivery

Dec. 2 - Shopping Spree to purchase clothing for children

Dec. 15 – Lions bring wrapped gifts that they purchased to the Holiday Party

Dec. 16 – 12 Noon   Pickup Food from John T. Baker Middle School

Dec. 16 – 2 pm Pickup Food from NRC

Dec. 16 - 2pm Move food to Damascus UM Church

Dec. 16 – 8pm sort the food at Damascus UM Church

Dec. 17 - Noon to 5pm – Pack and wrap at Damascus UM Church

Dec. 18 - Noon to 5 pm Pack at Damascus UM Church

Dec. 19 - 8am Deliver Christmas Food and Gifts from Damascus UM Church to recipients

Filed Under Members' Blog Tagged With community service, Members' Blog

President's Message – November 09

November 2, 2009 By King Lion Mary Frances Gosnell Leave a Comment

King Lion Mary Frances GosnellMy Grandmother would say, “As the Ole Fellows said” and she would quote an old saying.  So I say, “Since it is too wet to plow, I think I will talk with the Lions!”

And that is what I enjoy – talking with each of you, keeping up on what is going on and how everyone is doing!

So here we go: My sincere appreciation goes to –

  • Lion Bob Snapp for organizing a great 64th Charter Night for us.  And also, to all of you who attended. I enjoyed it and thought we had a great evening.
  • Lions Joy Schwab and Sue Suddath for a great Fall Pancake Dinner.  Also to all the Lions who assisted them on Friday and Saturday.  It was another great time of working together. 
  • The Leos who helped with the Pancake Breakfast.  It is always good to have some youthful, smiling faces to keep the momentum going.
  • All the Lions who sponsored and filled baskets, who help set up of Thursday and all who helped on Friday.  Was a great evening.
  • Lion Gary Rogers for heading up the Papa Johns Fund Raising effort.  He isn’t finished yet!

My Sincere Congratulations to the Charter Night recipients - 

  • Lion Ann Davis who was awarded the Emerson Slacum Community Service Award
  • Lions Shyue and Su Huang for being Lions of the Year
  • Lion Tom Jackson for receiving the Lion of the Years Award
  • Lion Ken King  for receiving a Melvin Jones Fellowship
  • Lion Jack Peters for receiving a Melvin Jones Fellowship
  • Lion Walt Shipley’s spouse, Pat, and his family for accepting posthumously a Melvin Jones Fellowship for Lion Walt.

All of whom are most deserving of being acknowledged for their years of service to Lionism.

I welcome our new member, Alice Denell, to the Damascus Lions Club.  Alice is manager of the Sandy Spring Bank in Damascus.  Please give Alice a warm welcome into our club.

With the Holiday Season fast approaching, we will turn our thoughts to our Holiday Giving Project.  Please look for a Time Table in this newsletter for both the Thanksgiving and Christmas projects

Again, I express a sincere THANK YOU to all of you for your support in our very busy September and October projects.  It takes us all to make it happen and we do it very well!

Enjoy the autumn leaf raking!!!!

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President's Message – October 09

October 7, 2009 By King Lion Mary Frances Gosnell Leave a Comment

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WHEE! – September was a nonstop Merry-Go-Round!  Although it was busy days and weeks, the Damascus Lions all came together, took leadership roles and worked in rain and sunny days to tell our community it takes a village to make a good Lions Club.  We are alive and well!

My Thanks and Appreciation goes to –

  1. Those involved with the Damascus Community Fair
  2. All the Lions who assisted Lion Tess Gladhill with the Community Fair entries
  3. Lion Lenora Kish heading up the Popcorn Booth
  4. Lion Joy Schwab for the Promotional Display
  5.  All the Lions who assisted Lion Eloise Woodfield with Grandparent Day
  6. Lion Ann Davis who attended the Hospice Caring Butterfly Release in honor of Hospice Caring 20 years of Service
  7. Lion Wayne Marr, his Lion Day Managers and all Lions who stood out on White Cane Days
  8. Lion Charlie Hertel, his parents and all Lions who assisted with the Blood Drive.
  9. Lion Jerry Mallack who chaired the Damascus Heritage Day Booth and all the Lions who helped man the booth.
  10. Lion Gary Rogers for recognizing and executing a Fund Raising effort.
  11. Lion Joy Schwab and her Membership Committee for a very informative Prospective Member Night.

There are so many of you Lions who work continually behind the scenes, so silently and relentlessly to keep our club motivated and working throughout the community in the name of Lionism; so many of you whose work goes unnoticed.  My hat and appreciation is extended to you.  You are the backbone of our club.  You are the perfect example of TEAM – Together Everyone Achieves More   – District Governor Bill’s motto.

As we move into October, we will have had Basket Bingo and will be celebrating 63 years of service at our 64th Charter Night.

I encourage all of you to take the initiative to get Pancake Breakfast Tickets from Lions Joy Schwab and Sue Suddath to sell, tell them that you can help with the Pancake Breakfast and what time and offer your help in preparation of the breakfast on October 17.  Oh, those pancakes and sausage!

A beautiful autumn is promised – Enjoy it!
And remember – ask your relatives and friend if they would like to know more about Lions, especially Damascus Lions! 

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President's Message – September 09

September 14, 2009 By King Lion Mary Frances Gosnell Leave a Comment

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Upon receiving this Lions Tale, we will be in the midst of the busy month of September.

Lest we forget August, my Thanks and appreciation goes to –

 

  • Lion Charlie Hertel for coordinating the Ice Cream Dipping at the Montgomery County Fair and thanks to all the Lions, Partners-in-Service, Leos, Family and Friends for assisting with our day.
  • Lions Rusty and Dee Reichmeider for coordinating the Mobile Health Unit on Thursday of the Montgomery County Fair and all the Lions who assisted with this effort.
  • Lion Gary Rogers for being a Co-manager of the Ice Cream Parlor at the Montgomery County Fair for the entire week along with Lions Gerda and Doug Sherwood of the Laytonsville Lions Club.

District Governor Bill Thomas has adopted the theme of TEAM – “Together Everyone Achieves More”.

And again, it follows the theme of the International President – “Move to Grow”

So Fellow Lions – We MOVE to create new opportunities and we get those results by TEAM!

Moving Together is the ambiance of getting good results. And that is what will make us successful; doing what we do together.

September is a very busy Lions month, so moving together will make it happen.

As you read this Lions Tale, we will have already participated in the Damascus Community Fair.

Also, we will have been a part of the Hospice Caring, Inc., Wings of Caring, 20th Anniversary Celebration with a butterfly release. Our Board of Directors voted to have butterflies released in memory of Lions Albert Warfield, Mark Sain, Walter Shipley, Maurice Purdum and George Conner.

And then -

Lion Wayne Marr will have us geared up to do White Cane starting on the 16th.

Lion Charlie Hertel will have distributed the call list for the Blood Drive donors and preparing for a great drive.

And Lion Jerry Mallack will be coordinating the Promotional Display at the Damascus Heritage Day located at the Izaak Walton League. She solicits your help.

As September turns its “leaves”, it will be time for Basket Bingo on October 2 – need lots of support in many ways.

And then our Charter Celebration on Oct. 6.  Make your reservations now!

Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to Lion George and Partner-in-Service Viola Hibbard upon the lost of Viola’s mother.

Looking forward to continue working with each of you in our many efforts to reach out to our community.

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