The Damascus Lions have been in the Holiday Giving Project since its inception. In fact, it was the Damascus Lions who began the project in the early 1950s. The Lions collected used clothing and toys and gave food to families in the area that Lions were familiar with that needed assistance. It may have been one or two families at that time but it was a well received project. As time passed by, Damascus Help became involved and provided the nearly new clothing and purchased some clothing. The Lions would collect and purchase the food and deliver to the assigned families, sometimes upward to 60 families. Help started keeping a list of area families that were in need. Our Lion Members, Hilda and Ken Diggs, heralded Help in so many different ways. Upon Hilda’s illness and around 1995, DELIA, Damascus Ecumenical Layman’s Association, along with Help administered the program and at that point, the Lions took 30 families as we then needed to purchase the clothing and the toys ourselves. And about 7 years ago we added Thanksgiving to our project. Thus, the plan we follow today went into effect. Today Faith Connections, Inc. administers this up-county project serving upward to 300 families. The families must apply for this assistance through the county. This is where Faith Connections get the names. With their program, the chance of families getting multiple deliveries of food and gifts is almost nonexistent. The Lions will be serving 30 families for each holiday consisting of 67 children and 56 adults. Great Program!
On Page 6 of this issue is a Time Line for the project. Assisting with the Holiday Giving Project this year is, Lions Chris Fletcher who does all the contacting of the families and profiling them, Bob Newlin, who coordinates the non-perishable food drives with the schools and Barbara Barry who is my Co-Chairman.
FOOD DRIVES
Lion Bob Newlin is coordinating School Food Drives with Rocky Hill Middle School, Damascus High School, John T. Baker Middle School and NRC Employees. Lion Bob needs Lions to help pick up the food as well as trucks. A signup sheet will be at the November 6 meeting. All excess foods are donated to the Damascus Help Food Closet.
THANKSGIVING FOOD DELIVERY
Thanksgiving, we will deliver food only to our families; we are offering families a choice of a turkey or gift card this year so when your team picks up the food for delivery, you will need to take a bit more time to make sure we have the correct selection for each family. Usually each family will have two boxes of food containing food for the Thanksgiving dinner, items for lunches, soups and another meal of pasta etc. We will purchase eggs, milk, butter, bread, fruit, onions and the meat. You may sign up to be on a Delivery Team at the November 6 meeting. We will need 10 teams.
CHRISTMAS FOOD AND GIFTS
For Christmas, Lions have several opportunities to assist with the gifts for our families. The Tradesmen Motorcycle members sponsored a Jingle Bell Blues Toy Run and Concert on Saturday, November 2 and collected toys and money from the participants. The Tradesmen joined with us the last 3 year in our gift giving project and donated many nice toys for the children along with a monetary donation. The committee wants to inventory the collection from the Jingle Bell Run before we purchase additional toys for our children. Should we need additional toys, we will email a request to the membership.
Any Lion who would like to purchase stocking stuffers can sign up for items at the November 20th meeting and bring them to the December 18 Christmas Party.. Also we would encourage Lions to bring mittens and stockings for children, teenagers and adults to the Christmas Party on December 18 and we will decorate a tree with them.
A Shopping Team will purchase an outfit for each child spending approximately $30 per child. We will also purchase a family gift. Again we will pack up to three food boxes for delivery along with the gifts for each family. Check the TimeLine printed elsewhere for specific dates.
Unlike a few of the other organizations involved in the Giving Project, the Lions prefer to deliver the food and gifts to their respective families. It has become a part of experiencing the spirit of the Holidays for us. We encourage you to sign up to support this meaningful project. Should you have any questions, please direct them to Lion Barbara Barry or Lion Mary Frances Gosnell.
HOLIDAY FUND
The Holiday Fund Chairmen will be passing the jar at the meetings for donations as well as soliciting the merchants throughout town. Members can also ask their family and friends for donations to fund
The Damascus Lions Club has historically budgeted $5000 for this project; Thus, the importance of soliciting donations.
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HOLIDAY GIVING PROJECT TIME LINE |
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Damascus Lions Serving 30 area families |
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DATE |
TIME |
ACTIVITY |
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Nov. 3 |
Tradesmen MC Jingle Bell Blues Toy Run & Concert |
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Nov. 6 |
Signup sheets for sorting and delivery Teams for Thanksgiving |
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Nov . 15 |
3:00 PM |
Pick up food from Rocky Hill Middle School |
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Nov. 16 |
2:00 PM |
Pick up food from Damascus High School |
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Nov. 16 |
1:00 PM |
Sort food and pack boxes at Hyatt B & S |
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Nov. 17 |
8:00 AM |
Delivery Teams pick up food baskets at and deliver them |
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Nov. 20 |
Give out Stocking Item List for Lions to purchase |
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Nov. 28 |
1:00 PM |
Shopping Spree @ Germantown Kohls to purchase clothing for children |
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Dec.4 |
Sign Up Sheets for duties and Delivery Teams for Christmas Delivery |
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Dec. 18 |
For the Christmas Party, Lions bring Stockings and mittens |
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Dec. 19 |
12 Noon |
Pick up food from John T. Baker Middle School |
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Dec. 19 |
2:00 PM |
Pick up food from NRC |
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Dec. 19 |
2:00 PM |
Move food to Damascus UM Church |
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Dec. 19 |
8:00 PM |
Sort food at Damascus UM Church |
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Dec. 20 |
Noon to 5 pm |
Teams Pack food for families and Wrap gifts at Damascus UM Church |
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Dec. 21 |
Noon to 5 pm |
Teams Pack food for families |
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Dec. 22 |
8:00 AM |
Delivery teams pick up food and gifts from Damascus UM Church and deliver to families |
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