COMMUNITY CHALLENGE - JOIN US!

 

Freeport Lions Challenge Community – Join Us and Make a Difference

 
 

The Freeport Lions Club is seeking civic-minded men and women to join them in making a difference in the urban and rural community. The club, chartered since 1936, hosts meetings every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. for people who want to learn more about the club and its work.

Freeport Lions, Rick Eastman, Terry Anderson and Roland Caruso help clean up the community

"Our club gives members an opportunity to advance worthy causes, have fun serving alongside friends, and become leaders in the community. This club means a lot to our members, but it means so much more to the people we serve," said Lion Rich Montgomery, club president. "We want to share the great things we're doing in the community, and let others know how they can help."

 
 

The Lions' motto is "We Serve," and the Freeport Lions Club has lived up to it for 78 years. Lions have aided individuals of all ages with vision and hearing disabilities. They provided support to victims of disasters and people in need of cancer treatment. They support Leader Dogs for the Blind, and The Center for Sight and Hearing. They also award an annual $1,000 scholarship to a high school senior to attend Highland Community College.

 

Vets - Join Now For 10 Bucks!

 

Lions Clubs International is offering qualified U.S. veterans an entrance fee waiver of $25 for regular membership and $30 for charter members when joining a local Lions club. The waiver is available to the first 5,000 U.S. veterans* and runs through June 30, 2015. * Qualifying veterans include retired U.S. military personnel (i.e. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard Services, Marines, National Guard, Navy or Reserves) or those honorably-discharged from these services. Eligible persons may still be enlisted in the National Guard or Reserves. Since the Freeport Lions Club costs only $35 to join, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to join Lions for ONLY 10 BUCKS!

 

To learn more about the information session, the Freeport Lions Club or its service projects, contact club president, Rich Montgomery, (815) 541-5591. You can also learn more about them and view their photo albums on the internet:

 

http://freeportlionsclub.blogspot.com or www.facebook.com/FREEPORTLIONS

 

Lions Clubs International is the largest service club organization in the world. Its 1.35 million members in more than 46,000 clubs are serving communities in 207 countries and geographical areas around the globe. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired, championed youth initiatives and strengthened local communities through hands-on service and humanitarian projects. For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit lionsclubs.org.

 

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen Keller

COOL DOGS, FAST PONIES, HOT CARS

The Freeport Lions Club is promoting the 3^rd Annual “Ricky M Dog & Pony Car Show” to be held on Sunday August 10^th, 2014.

Beware! Lions will be roaming the grounds pulling their little red wagon full of ice cold bottles of water for $1 each.

As the poster below explains:  Bring your ride and bring your best friend!!! (Leashed dogs, cats, spouses welcome)

LITERACY & HIGHER LEARNING

JULY 8, 2014 – Freeport Lions Club Meeting.

LITERACY & EDUCATION - The evening program speakers discussed how student educational opportunities and scholastic facilities have evolved over 50 years at Highland Community College. 

Lions heard guest speakers, Kim Rampenthal, Highland Community College Foundation, and Tim Hood, Vice President of Academic Services at HCC, talk about new facilities and new student programs.

  “Partnering” with universities and area high schools for student advancement is now a sought after concept that, at one time, was not so popular among educators and university staff. Top students nowadays have the opportunity to take college-level courses at the community college while at the same time attending high school. When that student graduates from high school, it is quite possible for them to enter a given college at a sophomore level. HCC also offers older or non-traditional students an education in business and industry areas that can enhance their jobs or job opportunities or help them with a specific hobby like genealogy.

Many of these opportunities and top-notch learning facilities are made available possible with matching grants and generous donations. The Highland Community College’s mission appears to closely parallel the Lions International vision statement to be a “leader in community and humanitarian service.” Thank you to our immediate past president, Paul Rampenthal, for arranging this informative program for the evening.

For another look at how important literacy and education is, take a look at this Internet link: http://www.eyeopening.info/2014/07/08/children-from-around-the-world-that-daily-risk-their-lives-just-so-they-can-get-an-education

 AWARDS - Lion Duane Smith was honored with a 100% Attendance Pin for the 2013-2014 year from club secretary Joe Serafini. Lion Duane still prepares, prints and mails our club newsletter, “Lion Talk”, to all active and inactive members, many of whom to not have computer access. Thank you, Lion Duane. Keep up the good work!

Lion Joe Serafini (left) congratulates Lion Duane Smith for his continued 100% attendance.

DONATION RECEIVED - A thank you card with a $90 check was received from former Freeport resident Lillian Osran who celebrates her 90^th birthday on July 14 and now lives in Evanston IL. Congratulations, Lillian, and THANK YOU!

Several other thank you cards and letters were received, notably from Leader Dogs for the Blind, and others thanking our club for helping their causes.

 

NEW BABY ANNOUNCEMENT

On behalf of all the Freeport IL Lions Club, a big "CONGRATULATIONS!" to fellow Freeport Lion, ELIZABETH BOYER and family.
 
As posted on Facebook today, July 12, 2014:
"We would like to introduce you all to baby Liam Michael Moshure! He was born Friday July 11th at 6:24 pm. This big boy was 8 lbs. 15 oz. and 20" long. He will be meeting his big sister a little later this morning. So excited to be a family of 4!!"
Liz has posted some nice photos on her Facebook page.

We wish Liz and Liam the best of health and a happy home.
We are all excited and roaring with pride at her good news.

               

2014-2015 AWARDS & INDUCTIONS

FREEPORT IL, JUNE  24, 2014 - New Officers for fiscal year 2014-2015 were inducted in a dinner ceremony held at the Eagles Club.

Before the induction ceremony, outgoing president, Paul Rampenthal, presented District 1-D Governor, Fred Peska, with a check for $1,010.90 for Leader Dogs for the Blind.

 

Governor Fred said that his District goal of collecting $25,000 for Leader Dogs was "surpassed beyond my wildest dreams", and the current amount collected was over $50,000.

The new officers induction ceremony was performed by District 1-D Governor, Fred Peska.

1^st VP, Albert Kersten; 2-yr Director, Rick Eastman; Immediate Past President, Paul Rampenthal; 1-yr Director, Troy Pettis; 1-yr Director, Roland Caruso; 2-yr Director, Pat Davis; President, Rich Montgomery; Tail Twister, Terry Anderson; Treasurer, Dennis Zimmerman; Secretary, Joe Serafini; District 1-D Governor’s wife, Sharon Peska, and District 1-D governor, Fred Peska. Absent from photo were 2^nd VP, Rebecca Shriver, and 3^rd VP, Brian Burke. - All photos by Jennifer Wickman.

District 1-D first lady, Sharon Peska, added humor to the ceremony by offering symbolic gifts to the new officers; a box of "Miracle Grow" fertilizer, for example, to help aid in membership growth.

 



New Board of Directors, Lions Pat Davis, Rick Eastman, Troy Pettis and Roland Caruso admire the box of "Miracle Grow" presented by District 1-D First Lady, Lion Sharon Peska



Secretary, Joe Serafini, received a child's plastic yard rake from 1st Lady Sharon Peska to help Joe gather the many documents that a club secretary must use.

 

Awards for Distinguished Service were presented to members who worked hard to make ours a great club. 

Past President, Paul Rampenthal, presents Rick Eastman with a Distinguished Service Award.

 

A 35-year continuous membership pin was awarded to Albert Kersten for his many faithful years of service.

Lion Bert Kersten receives his 35-Years of Service Award/Pin from Lion Darla VanBuskirk as Paul Rampenthal, Sharon Peska and DG Fred Peska look on with admiration.

Attendance Award pins were presented to members who either never missed a meeting, or who were involved in Lions activities even thought they could not attend all meetings.

100% Attendance recipients, Joe Serafini, Troy Pettis, Dennis Zimmerman, Jennifer Wickman (for Brian Burke), Rick Eastman, Roland Caruso, Terry Anderson, Paul Rampenthal, Rich Montgomery, Darla VanBuskirk

 

Immediate past president, Paul Rampenthal, handed over the gavel to new President, Rich Montgomery.



Andi Montgomery, Kim Rampenthal, Rich Montgomery, Paul Rampenthal and Sharon Peska listen to the sound of the closing bell as the meeting is adjourned.

The new president's first order of business, after a brief speech about membership growth, was to adjourn the meeting. Wives, guests and members took home small house plant table center pieces after the meeting.