Past President Dave Davidson used the word EXTRAORDINARY to describe accomplishments of the Damascus Lions and their activities some years ago.  The word came to mind when I was trying to explain what happened on Friday, December 18, the night before the snow storm.

The Damascus Lions rallied around a Christmas Giving Project and made it happen before the storm hit – in fact, completed the deliveries just an hour before the snow began.  And that is EXTRAORDINARY!!

Yes, we made it happen and thanks to all who helped with the project from the beginning to the finish line.  The Delivery Teams came forth with renewed energy, members came that had not planned to help on Friday to help put it all together, putting their personal chores and committments aside. They all were willing to do whatever had to be done to get the food and gifts to the 34 families which included 68 children and 58 adults.

The projections for the Christmas Giving Project are that it cost us $ 3,037 and it took 48 Lions, Partners-in-service, children and Leos working approximately 197 hours to make it happen.  Each family received nonperishable food for their dinner and surplus for their pantry, ham, milk, eggs, potatoes, butter, bread, dinner rolls, homemade cookies by the Goldsteins, filled Christmas Stocking, oranges, candy canes, towels and wash clothes , toys  and an outfit for each child.

We have estimated that the School Food Drives collected approximately 12,000 items of food this year.  Four pick-up loads of food were taken to the HELP Closet.

Thanks go to all Lions for purchasing a gift for each child, Bob Newlin for organizing the School Food Drives, Chris Fletcher for contacting and profiling the families, Ray Molesworth for coming forth and taking a leadership role on Friday and all Lions and Partners-in-service who put others before self in completing the project.

As I can’t remember who coined this phrase but I am saying it from the heart – God Bless you all real good!

(Photos courtesy of Lion Joy Schwab and Lion Gary Rogers)

Frederick Keys Game July 27, 2010

Noted donations were approximately 7000 items received from Rocky Hill Middle School Food Drive, 3300 items from Damascus High School (they split theirs with the Lions and Help), Homemade Pumpkin Bread from Mark and Karen Goldstein, approximately 150 food items collected by Lion Rick Kendall, dinner rolls, yams, cranberry sauce and Ramen noodles by Haung Distributing, boxes by Eagle Components and Moyer Moving and Storage and apples from Rock Hill Orchard. 

Forty–one Lions worked approximately 150 hours; and the project had a cash cost outlay of $1,037.

It was an awesome accomplishment.  Those less fortunate this Thanksgiving had a great meal to look forward to as well as some lunches for the children.  Thanks Lions for a great job of serving our community.

Big Band Dance April 17, 2010

Damascus Lions Club Members: Click here for the TIMELINE .

Dear Spirit of Christmas –

I had visitors the Saturday before Christmas who came knocking on my door early in the morning just as promised.  It was truly your helpers laden with boxes of food and bags of gifts.  The children were sleeping in that morning so I had your helpers bring them in and hide them so the children would not see them.  I wanted to see their eyes on Christmas Morning when they awoke to unexpected packages under our small Christmas tree decorated with handmade ornaments and the huge stocking that you brought hanging.   Your helpers cooperated much to their disappointment – they understood.
Thank you for a beautiful Christmas Morning.  The Spirit of Christmas will live on in my children’s memory.  No matter how hard I had worked, being a single mother is not easy.  And you made our Christmas so bright!  I will never forget that knock on the door that Saturday morning only to find Santa himself standing there delivering the Spirit of Christmas to my family.

With love from a Single Parent

Dear Delivery Guys –

You brought much relief and delight to our apartment this Christmas with the packages and food that you delivered.  I know those 4 flights of stairs are tough to climb, But you did it!  The fresh milk and eggs along with the ham were such a bright spot. And then you supplied my cupboards with enough food for days to come.  The fresh baked cookies were delicious as was the oranges.  We can always use nice big towels and the filled stocking was fun to open with a box of candy as well.  Such a wonderful Christmas!

 Both of us are unable to leave the apartment now but can manage on our own.  We have wonderful neighbors and are thankful for them.  But to get such an abundance of food sure makes for some pleasant and tasty meals this winter.

Thank you for all you do and for taking the time to be of service to the elderly.

Two Older Folk still in Love

(It was told that as the Lions left, the couple stood at the door waving with tears in their eyes,)

Dear Lions –

The Christmas Season witnessed the Damascus Lions joining together to make another Holiday Giving Project a memorable one in the eyes of 31 families that included 51 children and 52 adults.  You spent hours, close to 400 hours, that is, on the project.  Your ten teams loaded their sleighs with 4 boxes of food and bags of gifts for each family.  And in those bags were gifts for each child that a Lion had selected and purchased out of his own pocket. Also was an outfit for each child that the four member shopping team had purchased at Kohl’s.  And bless Kohl’s; they gave a 20% discount on everything including the 60 towels and washcloths that you purchased for each family. 

And your friends, the Goldstein’s, came laden with homemade goodies packaged so seasonably.  The dinner rolls, I am told, were donated by a Lion as were the boxes that you packed everything into.   And the big stocking that was stuffed full had dental items donated by Richard J. Schoeb Dental Office.

I understand Lion elves were out and about town collecting money for the project and did a great job!  And the food drives was conducted by Rocky Hill and John T. Baker Middle Schools and Damascus High School and produced approximately 8000 items. One of your Lions worked really diligently at the onset, calling and profiling each family.  Another Lion provided space to store the canned goods until it was ready to pack.

Your members work very well in coordinating everything and working to make the project a successful one.

Thank to all the Lions! To their Partners- In- Service who shopped, wrapped, and help deliver I say thank you.  And to the families, you, too, are special just like your Lion member. Everyone got involved in some facet of the project and that is how you make it such a successful project…

You are truly “Everyday Heroes”! for serving to make your community, Damascus, a better place to live!

Happy New Year!
Santa