EXTRAORDINARY –– Beyond what is usual!
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)
[salbumphotos=1,160,3,n,y,title desc]