As part of a worldwide service organization, we have numerous opportunities to serve. On Saturday, January 28, Lion Marsha, Lion Barbara, and I attended the District 22-C Cabinet meeting in Temple Hills, Maryland. The theme of the day was Leave a Trail of Service. This luncheon meeting proceeded like most of our meetings. We gathered, we ate, and then we got down to business.

The secretary’s report reminded us of things we have done and information about what is coming up.

Cabinet Treasurer Lion Lee Wilson gave a financial report. (Copies of the report are available upon request). The activity account has a large balance. Lion Lee asked for guidance about moving funds for best use. A proposal was also made by the treasurer to consider purchasing a bond to cover future expenses. A $10,000 dollar bond would come at the cost of $2.30 per member. A $15,000 bond would come at the cost of $2.65 per member. A $20,000 bond would come at the cost of $3.00 per member. Local clubs are requested to discuss this proposal and share opinions with the treasurer.

 Committee Reports

The Lions Vision Research Foundation was founded in 1988 for the purpose of raising funds for research at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins hospital. The LVRF is working on ways to cut waiting time for patients. The waiting time has been cut from 3-4 weeks to one day. Tiffany Chang has been chosen as the LVRF Fellow for 2012. Our district donation goal to the LVRF for this year is $34,500. The total contributions from local clubs now stand at $12,000.

PDG Ted Ladd reported that our district membership is 1,615. This total reflects a 3.5% decrease in our membership.

Clubs were reminded that additions to the District Honor Roll are due to the VDG Don Beeson by April 1.

VDG Don Beeson reported on the proposed redistricting plan to reflect the change in membership. Currently, we have 6 regions that will be realigned into 4 regions. Montgomery County Region will have an eastern zone and a western zone.

VDG Don Beeson also reported on efforts to get a commemorative coin minted in honor of the Lions Club. We need 190 representatives and 50 senators in favor of this initiative by March in order to bring the proposal to congress. Lions are encouraged to contact our representatives and senators to request their support for our request.

The annual leadership training at Emmitsburg attendance has been decreasing. The required minimum this year is 75 students. At the time of the meeting the registration was 37. At the time of this report, the deadline has passed. I have no information as to whether the registration will be extended.

PDG Bill Lynch reported thatCampMerrickwill offer a day camp this summer. More good news is thatCampMerrickis on solid financial ground. A financial report including costs and budget will be available on March 31. The camp has been closed for the winter that helps cut overall costs and is in the process of being winterized. A clean-up day is scheduled in April. All lions are invited to help out.

Lion Joe McClelland requested donations from local clubs for band and music scholarships for the District 22C Honors Band. Musicians selected by each club will rehearse on April 1 to perform at the 22-C Night in April.

The 2012 USA-Canada Forum is scheduled for September 13-15 inTampa Bay,Florida. Twenty-five to thirty thousand lions are expected to attend this gathering.

IPDG Sandi Halterman reported that the deadline for nominations for the Bull Throwers Award is April 1. Nominees must have at least 10 years of service. She also reported that our Volunteers for LCOF were present at local health and county fairs.

Leader Dogs have visited 24 clubs this year. They are available to give programs to local clubs upon request.

The 2012 District 22-C convention will be held inSalisburyon May 9-12. The 2013 convention is scheduled for May 12-17 inOceanCity.

District Governor Rich Barb reported that donations to LCIF are down. We also need a chair for LCIF. The term for this office is 3 years. He also noted that Melwood needs help to recycle glasses donations.

Cabinet Treasurer Lion Lee Wilson gave a financial report. (Copies of the report are available upon request). The activity account has a large balance. Lion Lee asked for guidance about moving funds for best use. A proposal was also made by the treasurer to consider purchasing a bond to cover future expenses. A $10,000 dollar bond would come at the cost of $2.30 per member. A $15,000 bond would come at the cost of $2.65 per member. A $20,000 bond would come at the cost of $3.00 per member. Local clubs are requested to discuss this proposal and share opinions with the treasurer.

Lion Charlie and Marcia Holpuch have done a gift exchange the last few years whereby everyone who wants to participate brings a $10 gift and then the fun begins like a Chinese Bingo Gift exchange. They take charge of it. But we need to put in the Lions Tale that those who want to participate bring a $10 wrapped gift. That should conclude a nice enjoyable evening.

The days are growing very short and many of us are very busy preparing for Christmas or Hanukkah. We are looking forward to happy times with family and friends. Our club has some traditional fun times ahead. Our Christmas party usually features entertainment, a visit from Santa and his favorite elf who give all good lions a candy cane, and last but not least, a gift exchange that will steal your heart (or your gift if another lion wants it). If you would like to participate in the gift exchange, please bring a wrapped gift ($10 value.)

We enjoy having a lot of fun at our holiday meeting, but we must also be mindful of those who are experiencing uncertain or difficult times during the season. As Lions, we know that the true joy of the season comes in sharing what we have.

The Damascus Lions live out this joy, through our Holiday Giving Project. So don’t forget to bring mittens and socks for children, teenagers, and adults to the Christmas Party on December 13 to be tree decorations and then useful gifts. These contributions combine with our stocking stuffers (due December 6), and our food baskets to 30 needy families to round out our Holiday Giving Project.

The year is drawing to a close and some of us may be trying to decide where we are going to give our final charitable donations for 2011. If you are looking for a way to help others and support the mission of the Lions Club to help and support the blind, consider donating to the Lions Community Outreach Foundation. The LCOF is a member of the Combined Federal Campaign and the United Way of the National Capital Area. You might also consider setting up payroll deductions to LCOF (#29433) for next year.

Have a roarin’ good time this month. But remember, it is easy to get lost in the business and busyness of this season. So don’t forget to slow down and enjoy special times with family and close friends. Even the fiercest, most active lions rest, relax and purr now and then!

For the future: Every year, each Lions Club in the District chooses one nominee for the Bull Throwers Award. The deadline for submission of our candidate is April 1. The district award will be presented at the MD22 Convention in May. Be thinking of someone you think has been a hard working lion that should be considered for this award.

“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 25^th.  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 8^th 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 11^th 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

Dear Damascus Lions,

It’s finally spring … sort of.  Signs of Mother Nature throwing off her winter cloak are peeking up all over.  Some of the early flowers are finally popping open and a touch of warm can be felt in the air.  There’s so much hope and potential in spring.

As a club, we’re blooming, too.  March saw us flipping pancakes again at another successful breakfast.  Thank you to all the Lions who sold ticket and helped with the cooking, serving and clean up.  The bake table was a popular spot and was well supplied with goodies from members and partners.  We served over 250 people for breakfast and could not have done it without the unfailing dedication of Lions Joy Schwab & Sue Suddath.

Speaking of Lion Joy, she and the membership committee put together a delightful presentation for our prospective member night and we are pleased to welcome Julie Sain as a new member of the club.  Julie is very active in the community and has been a great friend of the club.  Among her activities is managing the use of the DVFD Activity Building and she has been instrumental in keeping our blood drives alive.  Julie continues a Sain family tradition as her husband Mark was a member of the club for many years.  We are so glad to have her join us.  Welcome, Julie!!

The auction was a resounding success!  Thanks to all who donated and walked away with treasures.  We raised about $2,700 – in excess of our budgeted goal.  Thanks to everyone.  Alex Imirie was our auctioneer and helped make the evening both fun AND profitable.  And there’s nothing quite like trying to get the gavel back out of my husband’s hands. 

We held our second blood drive with Inova Blood Services in March.  If we want to continue to have blood drives, we need more help.  We need both phone callers in advance as well as volunteers to staff the registration and recovery areas during the drive.  A big thanks to the set-up crew who made short work of getting the room ready for the donors.  Our next drive is scheduled for Monday, May 23^rd.  Let Lion Ken Cook know how you can help.

Our district year is coming to a close in April.  In hopes of making the 5-star award, we need to increase our visitations this month.  If you have been to another club dinner or fund-raiser, please let Lion Ray Molesworth know so we can get credit for your visit.  We are close to making our required number, but we need to make this last push to the goal line.  The district banquet is set for Saturday, April 16^th in Waldorf.  We have a table of 10 to fill.  If you would like to attend, please see Lion Mary Frances Gosnell.

The Multiple District convention is coming up next 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.  Lion Mary Frances has all the information you need and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Our election of officers will be held at our first meeting of April.  Serving as a club officer is an important job – the club can’t function without a board.  Our deepest thanks and gratitude go to those who are willing to serve.  Show them your support by pitching in to help with activities every chance you get.

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.

We also have a date for the dedication and opening of the skate park at the Rec. Center.  Lion Tom has worked very hard to see this project come to fruition.  The date is Friday, April 15^th.  At this time, we don’t know what time it will be, so watch your email.  It would be good to have several club members in attendance for the ceremony.

We keep Lions Tuck & Eloise in our thoughts as Tuck continues to improve following his by-pass surgery.  Along with the arrival of spring, some things just don’t happen fast enough, reminding us how important it is to also take time to smell the flowers.

Yours in Service,

King Lion Marcia

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 15^th and 16^th.  We have taken a slot to work the mobile health unit bus on the morning of January 15^th.  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 17^th.  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

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 17^th, 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 7^th at Wesley Grove, and then our Christmas party will be the following week on the 14^th at Damascus United Methodist.  The board meeting will be on the 21^st 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

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 64^th 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 11^th 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.  3^rd 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 20^th.  And we have a blood drive scheduled for Monday, November 22^nd.  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

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 30^th 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. 20^th to do an extra blood drive on Aug. 27^th.  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 27^th 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 20^th 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. 14^th 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 21^st 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 64^th Charter Night ASAP.  Lion Mary Frances will be looking for Bingo helpers for October 8^th.  If pancakes are your thing, see Lions Joy and Sue to help serve a yummy breakfast on the 16^th.  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 21^st.

Yours in Service,

King Lion Marcia

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 27^th.  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 2^nd 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 19^th 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!