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Here is some updated information for the Blood Drives we had in January 2010. Thanks to all who helped with the drives.
St Paul’s on 1/10/10 received 20 Units
Damascus Lions on 1/18/10 received 107 Units
This was our 6th and 7th drives of the 2009 and 2010 year. Our next drive is Feb. 18, 2010 @ Damascus United Methodist Church from 1-7pm.
The NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo was held Saturday, January 16, 2010
Eight members of the Damascus Lions Club worked the first shift with the Lions Community Outreach Foundation’s Vision and Hearing Bus located at the Washington DC Convention Center. The set up and coordination was lead by LCOF President Charlie Kearse who did an excellent job in coordinating Glaucoma Screening conducted by certified personnel and located at the Lions site. Vision, Glaucoma Screening and Pre-School Screening was located outside the LCOF Bus with Hearing Screening and consultation with specialist conducting the Glaucoma Screening done within the bus.
Thanks to those that signed up and attended from our Club: King Lion Mary Frances Gosnell and Lions Tony and Barbara Barry, Charlie Hertel, Jerry Mallack, Wayne Marr, Gary Rogers, and Mike Thornett.
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The Damascus Lions Club participated in the 2nd Annual Damascus Heritage Day that was held on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009.
The weather was beautiful, the various vendors delightful, the Turkey Shoot interesting, the music provided by local musicians was wonderful and loud, and the Lions that participated had a great time.
I wish to thank Lion Tuck Woodfield for his assistance in setting up the tent for the Lion’s display. I wish to thank Lions Marcia Holpuch; who should be recognized for being the “Greenest Lion” there by peddling her bike to the event, Lion Ann Davis, Lion Frank Burlas, Lion Joy Schwab and Lion Tom Jackson for their help and assistance with the Lions’ booth. We had several people inquire into our service activities where upon we supplied brochures and membership information. The “Golden Lion Star” goes to Lion Ann Davis for her efforts in selling our “Papa John Fundraiser Cards”; she sold 10 through out the day and she also sold tickets for the upcoming Basket/Pottery Bingo. Well done Lion Ann! And I wish to thank KL Mary Frances and Lion Joy for putting together the information sheets and posters that were displayed in our booth. It looked great. I must add that a good time was had by all!
Thanks again for those that came out and hung out and worked at the Lions Booth.
Thank you, all Lions who participated in our Spring 2009 White Cane fundraiser. We raised $1,645.62. This amount includes $139.96 from the Clarksburg Branch. This collection will fund about 16 eye appointments and new glasses for needy Damascus and Clarksburg area citizens.
It takes a lot of Lions to make White Cane Week successful. Over 30 Damascus and Clarksburg Lions contributed to White Cane week this Spring. Put “Lion” in front of every name in this article.
Special Recognitions:
• The Over-$100-in-One-Shift Club Recognition goes to Marcia Holpuch: $139.96 is what she received on Saturday morning at Red Rooster. The Saturday morning Red Rooster crowd is very special. Consisting almost entirely of men about to embark on a 6th day of work in their vans and pickups, this crowd is amazingly generous; placing many $5 and $10 bills into our white buckets.
• The Bert Lahr Special Award for Most Courageous Lion goes to Bill Mahylis. Bill was the Wednesday White Cane Manager-of-the-Day, but decided he would fill in the best he could for an empty shift at Safeway that afternoon at 4:00pm. Even though he had to interrupt the shift to collect from other Lions, he managed to collect $99.43 in the short time he had available! Bill has always been one to put in extra effort during White Cane Week. There are many others.
I don’t have the information from the Clarksburg Branch (next time?), but here are the Damascus Lions who gave unselfishly of their time for one or more storefront collection shifts (multiple shifts in parentheses): Alsant (first-time!), T. Barry, B. Barry, Burlas(2), Davidson, Gladhill, Gosnell(2), C. Hertel, Hibbard(2), M. Holpuch, Mahylis, Mallack, Molesworth, Peters(2), D. Reichmeider, R. Reichmeider, G. Rogers, J. Schwab, W. Schwab, Snapp, Ch. Stone, C. Stone, Suddath, Tench, Thornett, Bobbie Warfield, John Warfield, T. Woodfield, E. Woodfield. Special thanks also go to the venerable Managers of the Day: Bill Mahylis, Ken Phillips, and Del Mayhew. And let’s not forget our trustworthy Money Counters: Del Mayhew, George Hibbard, Tom Jackson, and Tom Van Vliet.
Lions making a difference……The month of December brings lots of activities for Lions to serve the community in many ways. On Dec. 2nd, Lion Cynthia Considine, Commu-nity Relations Manager with LCOF attended our din-ner/meeting and updated us on LCOF and the forth coming N B C 4 Health and Fitness days to be held in Jan. 2009. Thank you Lion Cynthia for coming, we always welcome you and enjoy your visits. Some history was given by KL on the tradition of Oranges at Christmas time past. Oranges were handed out to all that attended this meeting to get ready to start the busy month ahead preparing for the holidays….
Dec. 3rd, Clarksburg High School Leo’s and Lions helped to trim the Clarksburg town tree. The official tree lighting is sponsored by the Historical Society Inc. of Clarksburg and was held on Dec, 5. Leo’s helped and some dressed as a snowman, a lion, and others as Santa’s helpers, greeted the 200 people attending and handed out candy treats, gifts and programs for the event. Thank you, Clarksburg High school Leo’s and Lions.
On that same day, 1pm at the Damascus Sr. Center, Lion Sue Suddath and Lions, George Hibbard, Rodney and Margaret Duvall, MF Gosnell, John Warfield, Fran Burlas, King Lion Eloise {dressed as an elf} with her Christmas puppy wished everyone a “Merry Christmas with a song. Santa Clause {IPP Lion Gary}, helped with making dreams come true, by asking “What do you want for Christmas”? Gifts were given and lots of activities. Refreshments were served. Thanks Lions and Chairman Lion Sue for making this happen.
Dec, 10 the Lions branch members were invited by Lion Joann Woodson, for a special meeting of the Clarksburg Se-niors. A holiday party was held and Mrs. Clause {King Lion Eloise} Santa {IPP Gary} and a Reindeer named Ru-dolph,{Lion Tuck} entertained about 15 seniors with songs, games, gifts and treats were enjoyed by everyone. Thank you Lion Joann for having us, and for this time of Fun!
Now its time for the combined Holiday Christmas Party /meeting on Dec, 16. Damascus Lions and Branch members of Clarksburg took a break and partied at the Damascus UM Church, where Lions Joy and Warren Schwab turned the dinning hall into a lovely Dinner Theater with a Holiday Theme of Red and White color to celebrate the season. The evening started with an “uninvited guest, named OLD MAN WINTER, and bringing a gift of sleet and freezing rain, when he arrived. The party started and at social time, check in was taken by a live Christmas Tree,{Lion Tuck} as Lions and guests arrived, they were greeted by Lion Su Huang, saying HELLO!
President King Lion Eloise welcomed Lions and guests, dinner was served…. At dinner, strolling Guitar and Banjo music was played by Joe Doyle, while everyone enjoyed a tasty buffet by the Damascus UMC women. Thank you to all, for making this a special occasion, something to remember. When the evening was over sixty-three people had received Cards and Gifts from King Lion that were handed out by Postman, {Lion Charlie Hertel}. Santa {Lion Gary} arrived with a HO HO HO, and helpers from the North Pole, Miss Candy Cane {Lion Bobbie Warfield}, Susie Snow Flake {Lion Midge Tench} and Frosty the Snowman {Lion Ann Davis} gave out door prizes. The evening ended with a solo by Lion George Hibbard, “The Stars Bangle Banner.” Thanks for this beautiful song. And I would like to say Thank you to everyone that helped to make it happen.
It’s back to work, the party is over!…. Dec. 17, 18, 19, and 20th, Lions were busy again. Lions, Leo’s, Partner’s in service, Students and friends all joined together and helped, shop, sort food, wrap gifts, and deliver baskets to 31 families in the Clarksburg and Damascus community areas—-A JOB WELL DONE!, Thanks to all.” together we can make it hap-pen”
A time to remember, on Monday Dec, 22nd Christmas Eve Eve Eve, Lions John Warfield, Tuck Woodfield and myself {King Lion} visited at seven locations, private homes, Asbury Home in Gaithersburg, Homewood in Fre-derick and presented poinsettias, gifts, songs and prayers to fellow Lions and partners in service. This was a very worthwhile and rewarding time, starting at 10am til 3pm. And then on Dec. 23 to finish the next day for a couple of more hours. We enjoyed seeing these people that support the Lions and say “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year”, keep in touch!
With sadness on Dec, 24th I received a call from Julie Sain, letting me know that Lion Mark had passed,….. a Lion memorial service was held on Tuesday Dec. 30. We will miss Lion Mark and the support he gave to the Damascus Lions Club, as Lions “WE SERVE”….
As we move on…. into a New Year, 2009, I would like to wish everyone a” HAPPY NEW YEAR”! 2009. Its been a Great six months serving as your President and your Support is wonderful, I look ahead to the next half of my year, serv-ing with the Damascus Lions and serving the communities, “together we can make it happen”
President, King Lion Eloise Woodfield
Letters from the community…
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
