LION TALK SEPTEMBER 2015

 

August 2015 Business

Welcome Lions Dave Marcum and Rose Ann Kennedy who visited our club on August 11th from Cedarville Lions Club and are considering transferring to our club.

 

Club Communications:

Internal News - Congratulations to Lion Dennis (Mary Jane) Zimmerman who celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary on 8/11/15. Congratulations to Lion Brian (Jennifer) Burke who welcomed new baby, Brady Thomas Burke, 20 pounds 8 ounces, on 8/9.  Lion Pat Davis said St. Mary's Church will celebrate International Food Day "Mary Fest" on Sunday 8/16.  Lion Roland Caruso said he held a 30th birthday party for his son Andrew this past weekend, and it was a joyous occasion as witnessed by all the "trash" left to pick up afterwards.  Happy 38th Wedding Anniversary to Lion Joe (Nancy) Serafini on 8/27.
External  News - The club received a plaque from the Freeport Community School Fund, and a thank you letter from the United Way for our separate donations. 

  

Eyeglass Collection Box Locations:

Eastrich Printing / W Galena Av	St. Thomas Aquinas Church / Kiwanis Dr	FHN Burchard Hills Clinic / W Fairway Dr
YMCA / W Pearl City Rd	Northwest Eye Care / Kiwanis Dr	FHN Doctors Bldg / W Stephenson St
Midwest Community Bank / S West Av	Shopko / E South St	Dr. Isawi's Office / W Stephenson St
Prairie Ridge / S Hance Dr.	Presence St. Joseph Center / E Jefferson St.	Sr. Resource Center / E Stephenson St
Good People Automotive / S Ihm Blvd

Candy Day Jamboree:  Lions Anderson, Skinner, Janicke, Kersten, Zimmerman and Serafini attended the 2015 Candy Day Kickoff  on 8/29 at the Leaf River Lions Club. Our blub donated a door prize.    


"Say Cheese" Cheese Fundraiser: Chairperson, Lion Darla Van Buskirk, said final report (from June deliveries) to follow. (SEE AUG 25 MINUTES).


Candy Day Co-chairs this year are Lions Andy Skinner and Terry Anderson. The date for donation collections was set for October 9th and 10th.
 
Brat Stand Chairperson, Paul Rampenthal advised Lions to  mark their calendars October 23rd and 24th to help serve the public at the Cub Foods Brat Stand. 


Rose Day Chairperson, Joe Serafini, said our club would have free advertising with The Journal-Standard. The official kick was at the 8/25 meeting where members picked up the number of tickets they thought they could sell..


Humane Society Dog & Pony Car Show liaison, Lion Rick Eastman, said we raised $125.00, selling ice cold bottled water. The club donated our proceeds to the Humane Society as we did last year.  They were most grateful!  Thanks to RAMP for donating 3 cases of water, and Lion Rick who donated 2 cases himself. Thanks to all Lions volunteers who gave up their time to help with this event.


All Service Club Luncheon liaison, Lion Rebecca Shriver said this event will only continue of each community service club will chair it when their time in the rotation comes up (every 4th year as of now).  Members discussed our participation, and determined that, for now, we are not interested in chairing the event.  She will report back and keep our club posted.


Tail Twister: Lion Roland Caruso quizzed us on about history and past presidents.  Q: Who is on a $2.00 bill? A: Thomas Jefferson; Lion Andy just happened to have one with him. Q: What was George Washington's occupation before he became president?  A: Surveyor.  History at its best!  Thanks Lion Roland - you collected $16.00 for our administration account. 


50/50 Drawing: Lion Rick Eastman conducted – Winner of $18.00, was Lion Joe Serafini, who donated it back to the club.  An additional $18.00 was raised for our admin. account).  Thanks Lions Joe and Rick for your efforts!

 

Aug. 25, 2015 - Meeting Minutes - FREEPORT LIONS CLUB

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES - FREEPORT LIONS CLUB – Aug. 25, 2015

1. "e-Patch from LIF": we received a patch from Lions International Foundation recognizing our website work and our club for being web savvy. Special thanks to our publicity guru, Lion Rich Montgomery, who maintains our club’s web presence.
2. "Say Cheese" Sales Report: Lion Dennis Zimmerman received the bill from the Cheese Store and they show we owe 60% and we netted 40%.  Bill was for $1,731.60 and motion to pay was made by Roland Caruso, 2nd by Pat Davis, motion carried.  As we make plans for 2016, we can get any % split in writing and decide if this is a project we want to continue doing. Final net report to follow.
3. Cub Food Brat Stand 10/23-24: Lion Paul Rampenthal says mark your calendars.
4. Rose Day 10/31:  Lion Joe Serafini plans to pass out lists/tickets at regular meeting.  See those notes.
5. Membership/Club Survey Committee: Lion Rebecca Shriver and her committee presented a summary of the questions along with a "Recurrent theme" list.  There were some great suggestions and we'll be looking at implementing some in near future.
6. Eye Care Report: Vision Chairman Terry Anderson says nothing to report. 
7. District 1D Golf Outing - 8/13:  We had two teams attend.  Golfers were Lions Andy Skinner, Nick Wells, Stacie Dixon, Rich Montgomery, Pat Davis, Roland Caruso, Nelson Julius and Joe Serafini. Everyone had a great time and the weather was beautiful.
8. Hearing Aid Report: Chair Rebecca Shriver says she is working with the Quota Club as they are looking to expand and possible use our resources. More to follow..
9. Back-to-School Back Pack Celebration 8/22 9:00A.M.: Lion Richard Montgomery says we did a good job and he has a photo of helpers and an article he plans to try and get into the press locally and for our Dist. 1D Newsletter.
10. Candy Day Jamboree 8/29: We have 6 Lions planning to attend - more to follow.
11. Candy Day 10/9-10:  Lion Terry Anderson will chair and Andy Skinner noted we have had many conflicts but appears this date will work.  Final report/date to follow at next meeting.
12. 80th Club Celebration April/7/2016:  We need to get a committee to discuss ideas on how to celebrate this milestone.
13. Monetary Requests:
    1. Stephenson County Sr. Center Expo 10/2:  Lion Richard Montgomery says we can do a bronze sponsor at cost of $250.00.  Motion by Randy Hornung  and 2nd by Richard Montgomery to donate $250.00.  Also, it was suggested we have a bean bag toss game there with cost to play going to Candy Day proceeds in that we'd hand out Candy as  a prize.   More to follow.
    2. Univ. of IL Extension request for "Keeper of the Land": which is an event for all 2rd Graders in Freeport to attend at Oakdale Nature Center .  We have supported this worthwhile project in the past.  Motion to give $100.00, by Pat Davis, 2nd by Rebecca Shriver, motion carried.
14. LIF Endowment Fund: We received notice of the passing of Lion Ambassador Earl Delp, PDG from Mt. Carroll.  Board noted we would pass on sending a donation.
15. Recycling Eyeglass Party: 9/26 at Lions of IL Foundation in Sycamore.  We will give our glasses collected to a trustee at the Candy Day Jamboree.  

 

****NOTE, BOARD MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE CLUB; HOWEVER, ONLY BOARD MEMBERS CAN VOTE DURING THE MEETING ****

             

 

 

Additional items discussed:

 

A.  e-Club Patch from LIF:  we did pass the letter and the patch around for all to see.  Thanks to Lion Richard Montgomery who has been the mainstay of this program.  Sounds like Lions Stacie Dixon and Liz Moshure will be helping, especially when Lion Richard hibernates in Florida this winter.

B.   Guest Speaker Sign-up:  September - Roland Caruso; October - Terry Anderson; November - Sandy Janicke - Thanks for signing up to identify and have a speaker for those meetings.

C.  Rose Day delivery 10/31: Lion Joe Serafini kicked off the "selling of tickets" by handing all Lions present their 2015 tickets and if you sold any last year, he provided a list of you buyers.  SELL!  SELL! SELL!  This is our clubs largest fundraiser.  Cost is still $18.00.  As you sell tickets, do turn in your money to Lion Joe at each meeting so he can log your sales and pre-route the tickets.  Print names/addresses clearly - get phone numbers if possible and be sure to include the town and if out of town, the directions on the back of the ticket.  If you need more tickets, see or contact Lion Joe.

D. Club History: Lion Terry Anderson presented folders to all Lions which had our Counter Mint locations and Mint Summary Report for 2010 through 2014.   Diabetes Awareness report from this past April.  Candy Day Report from Oct. 2014; and the application for individuals to compete when seeking eye care assistance.  A lot of history!  Thanks Lion Terry.  

   

Tail Twister:  Lion Roland Caruso in keeping with history/geography, had many questions on states and state capitals. We did quite well which cost him as he would put in a $1.00 bill for each right answer and if you didn't know it, you put in the $1. CA? Sacramento; New Jersey? Trenton; KS? Topeka..............nice job Lion Roland in keeping us "educated".  You collected $18.00 for our admin. account.

 

50/50 raffle: Lions Andy Skinner and Nick Wells conducted – $18.00 winner was Liz Moshure & $19.00 goes to our admin. account.

 

Program:   None

                                                 

 

Up-Coming Dates (mark your calendar):   

                       

                                   

Aug. 29 - Candy Day Jamboree - Leaf River

Sept. 2 - 1D Zone Meeting - Pecatonica

Sept. 08 - 6:00 Regular Meeting

Sept. 22 - :30PM Board Meeting – Eagle’s Club

Sept. 22 - 6:30PM Regular Meeting - Eagle's Club

Oct. 9-10 - Candy Day

Oct. 23-24  Cub Food Brat Stand

Oct. 31 - Rose Day Deliveries

Nov. 4 - 1D Zone Meeting - Orangeville                 

                                                                                                                                                                       

Think Membership – ASK 1 - It’s up to us to invite a guest to visit

Our club and consider becoming a Lion!

 

  Online sites:  https://freeportlionsclub.blogspot.com/ 

 Face book:     https://www.facebook.com/FREEPORTLIONS              

 

 

2015 ROSE DAY REPORT

Fellow Lions,

 

I presented the (2015 Final Rose Day) report at our board and regular meeting on 11/24/2015.

 

We sold 624 dozen which is our highest sold year since 2002 and our highest net.  Congratulations to everyone who helped make this a huge success. There are many to thank but we must single out Lion Terry Anderson who sold 220 dozen all by himself and then delivered 88 dozen (with help from wife Cheryl Anderson).  Thanks Lion Terry & Cheryl!

 

SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Eastrich Printing, The Journal-Standard, Event Floral (Deb Quillen, Loves Park IL); every Lion who sold tickets, those who volunteered to deliver or be a runner; Gordy Tormohlen for use of Good People Automotive facilities & free coffee; Lions Dennis Zimmerman, Terry Anderson, Roland Caruso and Bert Kersten for helping count and sort the roses for each route from 5:40A.M. to 7:15 AM for each driver.   


Now we can look to smashing this record in 2016!  I'm looking for a co-chairman to help - if you have an interest, let me know.  We start kicking this off around June 1st.

Lion Joe Serafini

2015 Rose Day Chairman

2016 DISTRICT CALENDAR

FREEPORT LIONS can donate a little less up front for their District 1D lottery tickets and still have the same chance to win their money back in 2016 as they did last year by purchasing a calendar.

Lions who attended the November 4, 2015, Northwest Central Zone Meeting Lions were told that they now have the option of buying District 1D lottery tickets versus buying the traditional District calendars.


For the lower cost of a $20 numbered ticket compared to a $25 calendar, Lions can still get the same chance to win on the Pick-3 Lottery every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Both the $20 numbered tickets and $25 calendars will be available for purchase at the Freeport Lions Club’s 11/24/15 meeting through Club Secretary, Lion Joe Serafini.

 

SALVATION BELL RINGERS

Freeport Lions Club president, Bert Kersten, has promised that Lions could fill as many time slots as possible for the Salvation Army’s "Ringing Bells" on Saturday, December 5th at JC Penney's in the Meadows Shopping Center.  Lions will be inside the doorway greeting shoppers and collecting donations for the Salvation Army Christmas Fund Drive. More volunteers will mean shorter shifts for everyone. Lions can sign up at the November 24^th meeting, or let Lion Bert know before the meeting.

 

 

2015 Back To School Celebration

 

Parents and K-8 school children lined up early on Saturday, 08/22/15, to receive backpacks loaded with school supplies for Kindergarten through 8^th grade children, as well as shopping bags loaded with fresh fruit, nutrition bars and health drinks.


Earlier in the week on Monday night Lions Terry Anderson, Keith Brown and Rich Montgomery and about 15 community volunteers unpacked pallets and boxes of about 600 backpacks and numerous school supplies needed students of the various elementary schools.


 

More volunteers arrived early on Saturday to help prepare the gym of the King Community Center.

 



Lion Terry Anderson, Lion Joe Serafini and his wife Nancy Serafini, and Lions Stacie Dixon and Rebecca Shriver took a quick photo break from filling shopping bags with healthy fruit, juices and snacks.

Mandatory Workshops

 

Parents were required to attend one or more of 4 available workshops and get their children’s backpack tickets punched before they could receive their school supplies.



Lions Rebecca Shriver and Stacie Dixon punched attendance cards for parents as proof of attendance for the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Development) college preparation workshop.

 



School District Superintendent, Lion Mike Schiffman answers parent questions in the “Meet the Superintendent” workshop.





Entertainment and Physical Fitness







While parents attended educational workshops, children K-8 were kept busy in the gym with wide-screen movies projected on the gym wall, and supervised games like jump-rope.

“Spin-er-cise” allowed children to spin a roulette-style wheel with various exercises listed on it, and then pick a partner to perform the actual fun exercises.

 

Free Eye Clinic

FHN (Freeport Health Network) nurses were on hand to provide free student eye exams.



Volunteer Lion Andy Skinner closed one eye and tried read the eye exam chart.



School Supplies Distributed

After the workshops concluded, anxious children and parents reunited and lined up for the backpacks and healthy food bags distribution. Lions Andy Skinner, Terry Anderson, Stacie Dixon, Rebecca Shriver and Keith Brown and a host of Boys & Girls Club volunteers moved as fast as they could to complete their tasks.

In a blur of final activity, parents of children K-8 lined up a backpack filled with school supplies for each child listed on their completed workshop tickets.

About 200 backpacks were distributed to local families. The packs and supplies were purchased using donations from local businesses and the Freeport Lions CIub. The remaining backpacks will be given to Freeport School District schools, which will pass them on to families in need.

For many single-parent families with multiple school-age children it would be a hardship to purchase (all the necessary) backpacks and school supplies that the various schools require every year.

 

Closing Ceremony

Former 3^rd Ward Alderman, Ronnie Bush, thanked everyone for their contributions, and introduced Freeport Mayor Jim Gitz who praised everyone’s efforts in making the Back-To-School Celebration an annual success for the school children and their parents.



Ronnie Bush, Lion Andy Skinner, Mayor Jim Gitz, Greg Briggs, Lion Rich Montgomery pose for a group photo during the outdoor festivities after the backpacks were distributed.

The Freeport Lions Club meets on the second and fourth Tuesday each month.
Our motto is "We Serve"
For more information contact (815) 541-5591. Like us? See: www.facebook.com/FREEPORTLIONS

(Freeport Lions Club publicity photos by Rich Montgomery, Publicity Committee)