LION TALK – April 2012

LION TALK - A Newsletter for the Freeport, Illinois Lions Club – April 2012

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District Governor Presentation

District Governor Paul Lindstrom (center in red sport coat) visited our club at the March 13th meeting. He challenged us to make every member feel important to the club. He also mentioned that so far our district has planted 346 trees with more this spring. Six point nine million have been planted world wide. Governor Lindstrom discussed the problem of membership. ln 1990 our state had about 25,000 members. ln2}12we have 17,000 memberships. Our district is the only district in the state with a positive membership number this year. There maybe changes coming in the number of districts in our state, as each district is supposed to have 1250 members. Some districts, particularly in the south, no longer have that number. We thank District Governor Lindstrom for his visit, his interesting information and his encouragement.

L-R seated: Lions Roland Caruso, Duane Smith, Rebecca Shrive, Darla VanBuskirk, Brian Burke, Paul Tormohlen; standing Joe Serafini, Rich Montgomery, David Snyders, Paul Rampanthal, Gov. Lindstrom, Bert Kersten, Dennis Zimmerman, Terry Anderson)

New Member Induction 

 New member Lion Roland Caruso (center) was officially inducted into the club and recognized by Lions Joe Serafini and District 1-D Governor Lindstrom.

Income to Help Us Serve Others

During the meeting Lion Terry Anderson passed out the summary report of the 2011 mint sales. The report included the summary for the past 5 years. The 2011 income amounted to $3522.25, one of the top collection years. and a very significant amount that funds our club's charitable activities. The Lion candy displays are in nearly every place of business in town which also publicizes the work of Lions. Thanks very much Lions Terry and Dennis Zimmerman for all your good work - great service which requires a great deal of time and effort.

Spreading The Word 

Special Thanks to Lions Montgomery and Anderson for the excellent display they created and displayed at the Stephenson County Visitors Center. It will also be displayed at the District Convention and at other places in the future. Thanks, good Lions.

Cancer Center Donation
Freeport Lions 2011-2012 President Bert and a group of other Lions presented Terry Egan, FHN Foundation Executive Director, a check for $3,000 as our club's contribution to the Ferguson Cancer Center fund drive for the Center expansion. This occurred on March 21^st. It is certainly a very worthwhile way to be of service to the people of our community and Northwest Illinois.

 Standing in front of the newly-constructed wing of the Ferguson Cancer Center with a check for $3,000 are Freeport Lions Rich Montgomery, Brian Burke, Darla VanBuskirk, Terry Anders, Bert Kersten, Roland Caruso, Rebecca Shriver, Paul Tormohlen, FHN Foundation Executive Director Terry Egan, Furst-McNess President and CEO Martha Furst, and FHN CEO Dr. Michael Perry

YMCA Programs Explained

Matt Mullen of the Freeport YMCA spoke to us at our March 27^th meeting. He is their Youth and Family Services Director. The "Y' is a great facility and offers many programs for all ages. We enjoyed Matt's visit. Lion Richard Montgomery arranged this month's informative program.

YMCA's Matt Mullen fields questions from Lions as Lions Joe Serafini, Paul Tormohlen, Duane Smith and Terry Anderson listen attentively.

Miscellaneous "Board' action of March 28th 

• Lion Paul Rampenthal informed us that we didn't win a weekend for the CUB FOOD BRAT STAND - better luck next year.
• Give Lion Dave Snyders your Sight and Sound Sweepstakes by April 10.
• Diabetes Awareness Week will be May 18 and 19.
• Hearing Screening van will be at the Senior Center May 23rd.
• We approved a motion to send the Lions Clubs International Foundation $350 for its Measles vaccination program.
• We voted to give John Deere Birdies for Charity 3 cents per birdie again this year, the same as last year.

Lions Sponsor 2012 Senior Dance

Freeport Lions Co-Sponsor Senior Dance

Volunteers urge community support October 7th.

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2012 Aquin Highschool Graduate, Jennifer Nielsen, receives a $1000.00 scholarship from Freeport Lions Member, Terry Anderson, to attend Highland Community College.

Lions Scholarship News Release:  2012 Jennifer Nielsen

The Freeport Lions Club Scholarship is presented to a Freeport graduating senior who demonstrated a genuine concern for others through thoughts and actions in daily life, who participated in extracurricular activities, and who promoted growth of high school, church and community. Jennifer’s parents are Fred Nielsen and Tina Eiserman of Freeport.

Freeport Lions Club is part of an Lions International, a world-wide service club. FLC meets the second and fourth Tuesday’s at 7:00 pm each month.  For more information please contact Joe Serafini at 815-235-9710, or Terry Anderson at 815-235-0834.

Ferguson Cancer Center Donation

Funds for Ferguson Cancer Center Construction

Freeport Lions donated $3,000 to the Freeport Health Network - Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Treatment Center on March 21, 2012. Construction on the new wing is in progress. Early days of warmer weather have aided in keeping the project on track. The FHN Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center provides medical oncology, hematology and radiation oncology services all under one roof for patients and their families. Treatments provided at the Center include chemotherapy (medical oncology) and radiation oncology. The Cancer Center also is involved in research, and some clinical trials are available here.

Standing in front of the newly-constructed wing of the Ferguson Cancer Center with a check for $3,000 are Freeport Lions Rich Montgomery, Brian Burke, Darla VanBuskirk, Terry Anderson, Bert Kersten, Roland Caruso, Rebecca Shriver, and Paul Tormohlen, FHN Foundation Executive Director Terrence Egan, Furst-McNess President and CEO Martha Furst, and FHN CEO Dr. Michael Perry.

Visitor Center Display March-April 2012

Freeport Lions Club information table is on display from mid-March and the month of April at the Stephenson County Visitor Center on the east side of Freeport along U.S. Route 20.  Lions Terry Anderson and Rich Montgomery collected categorized and organized photographs for the display board. Membership information, publications and application forms, and a supply of Lions mints are on hand for the general visiting public to gain interest in our community and learn some of the ways in which we serve. The display will travel next to the District 1-D Convention in Rockford IL on April 14.

COMMUNITY SERVICE TOPICS: VISION & HEARING SCREENING, PRESCRIPTION GLASSES & HEARING AID ASSISTANCE,ASSISTANCE, CAMP LIONS SPONSOR, COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS, SALVATION ARMY BELL-RINGERS, LIONS PARK FOR THE DISABLED, AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS USED EYEGLASSES PROGRAM, SCHOOL DISTRICT VISION-SCREENING EQUIPMENT, DISASTER RELIEF

One of Lion Richard's favorite display board photos. What do you think?

YMCA Guest Speaker at March 27, 2012 Meeting

Matt Mullen, YMCA Marketing and Program Director, Freeport YMCA, gave Freeport IL Lions an overview of available youth fitness and health programs. From programs for overweight children, to after-school programs, to financial help for the economically disadvantage, to Saturday swimming and gym programs for youth with disabilities, Matt impressed the group with his knowledge and dedication, but mostly the YMCA’s entire staff’s sincerity to serve the community and surrounding areas. The YMCA will work with different local service organizations to help them organize and sponsor various fitness activities and fundraisers. (Matt won the 50/50 raffle and donated it all back to the Freeport Lions Club. Awesome!)

Matt Mullen answers a question about a specific youth fitness program for Lion Joe Serafini during the after0dinner presentation.

Lions Paul Tormohlen, Duane Smith and Terry Anderson listen to Matt Mullen answer questions about after-school youth fitness programs.