December Livewire Newsletter
The
President's Corner
Greetings Fellow Lions. It is the holiday season and I wish each and everyone of you the best during this joyful time. After that, it is Y2K and this may be the last computer print piece that you will ever see from me.
As you know, the Spenard Lions Christmas party was held at Gwinnie's on December 4th. A great time was had by everyone. The night included the installation of four new Lions. Governor Shirley Littleton performed the ceremony. Other Clubs were present for the festivities which were hosted by Lions Lee Anne Regan, Lion Kathleen Conley, and VDG Dennis Cummings.
Our squirrel 17 and Lion John 0. The Club just received from the squirrel, in the mail, a lease application and a check for the rental of our attic.
The Club computer program for the blind and disabled is gaining momentum. Six computers have been given out to people this month. Right now, we are trying to find another location to work on and store the computers. I finally had to clean out the living room, so that Lion Kathleen and I remain married.
Welcome to our newest Lions. Lion Mark Snyder, David Olaska, Lori Hilton, and Alfred Rockwell.
This month, special thanks go to Lions John Regan and Bob Hanson, for their efforts to extend the Uri Park lease. I would also like to thank Joanne Koss for her work on Convention 2000, Lion Lee Anne Regan for the great Christmas party, and Lion Charlotte Henke for being such a good cook and Secretary. Thanks to everyone. Have a nice holiday season.
Lion Michael Curley, President
John Regan Seeks Campaigners
Because November and December are busy times for Lions projects and to not take away any more time from “family time” I will start my campaigning in January. Please let me know if you want to assist me in campaigning.
Lions In The News By Lion John Regan
Lions D49A Governor Shirley made her official visit to our club on Nov. 24th. She told us that she appreciated all we were doing for the community and then to top off a wonderful meal prepared by Lion Kathleen Conley, Lion Shirley won the split the pot. The dessert was provided by Lion Donna Stanton who provided a home made especially decorated cake for the lunch. Lion Shirley donated $33.50 to the joint club food day project. Thanks you Governor.
We also want to say thank you to the Miners and Trappers Inc. and the Mt. McKinley Lioness for the $1000.00 donation to the Food day project. This monthly food distribution project is becoming more and more a multi club project when you consider all the Lions clubs that support it financially and physically.
Answering the call for Bingo work party coverage on Thanksgiving day were Lions Pete Weimer, Lou Wilson, John Harris and John Regan. Volunteering were Spenard Lion candidate Lauri Hilton and her son Chris. A special thanks Lauri and Chris. D49A has received a Digital photo screener camera ! Lion Jimmie Rogers carried it to the Midwinter and displayed it. The camera should be operating soon and will speed the photo screening process by being able to give instant readings doing away with having to have a photo read. The D49B Northern Lights Badgers Lions also received theirs as did Dr. Arnold. The Spenard Lions club has been contacted to do a screening of preschool aged children in January.
From The Editor by Lion Mady Burnett
‘Tis the season to be joyful and thankful for the glory of our lives. That is what we are hearing daily. Sometimes we do not really stop to enjoy the reasons for the holiday.
We rush, shop, wrap, and send packages out to our loved ones who are not able to join us during the holiday.
I remember as a child, putting up a ripped brown grocery bag that we had drawn on to make a calendar of the days before Christmas. We then took another brown bag and made different symbols such as candy canes, Christmas balls, reindeer, and the like to put on the day as Christmas came closer. We would always say, that it was taking so long for Christmas to get here. My sisters and I would do this calendar every year as we grew up.
Unfortunately, the brown bags are gone, the traditional day to make the calendar with my family is gone, and we have grown up wishing that Christmas would not come so soon. I think I will take some time to make a calendar to try and slow down the rushing time and not be so pressured as to how fast it is coming. I am joyful for my life. I wish everyone a most joyous Christmas. May the New Year bring new and exciting things to you all.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
November A Busy Month For The Spenard
Lions
...by Lion Charlotte Henke
We welcome two new members to the Spenard Lions Club, Lion Lauri Hilton who was sponsored by Lion LeeAnne Regan and Lion David Olaska who was sponsored by President Michael Curley. Lion Lauri has been helping with the Food Distribution and Lion David has been working with putting the computers together with the guidance of President Michael.
Those Lions who attended the Mid-Winter Conference in November reported that a good time was had by all and that we can thank Kodiak Lions for putting on a great Conference as usual.
Spenard Lions donated $500.00 to the Senior Center for their Christmas Dinner they put on each year. They serve approximately 500 people and anyone is welcome to join them.
We are proud to report that a contribution to LCIF was made of $20.00 per member for an undesignated Melvin Jones. These funds are added to the Foundations funds and only the interest is used to help in sight programs and in case of a disaster e.g. the Big Lake Fire or Hurricane Andrew. We will receive a 100% patch from LCIF for the donation.
Lenscrafters held their "Home Town Day" this is a day when they provide glasses for the needy if they have a prescription with them. This is a busy festive day for Lenscrafters and Spenard Lions donated $50.00 towards refreshments for their customers.The Food Bank on November 13th was a success again this month. Volunteers totaled 25: Spenard Lions 11, International Air Crossroads 1, Benton Bay 3, and Domiciliary Veterans 9 and 1 guest. The total number of households served was 111 for a family count of 303. Total volunteer donated hours was approximately 125. During the month one additional family received help and food from the Spenard Club. This is a fantastic project. Great Job!!
Bingo work parties were held on November 18th, 25th and 26th. Those Lions helping out were John Regan, Jr., John Harris, Lauri Hilton, Guest Chris Hilton, Peter Weimer, Lou Wilson, Bob Nelson, John Herlihy, Cheryl Hysom, Charlotte Henke, Iwalani Carino, Maxine Plett, Royce Larson, Fred Walatka, and Edrie and Don Ballard. These Lions put in a total of 36 hours cleaning up and helping where they could. Thanks fellow Lions.
We had an official visitation by District Governor Shirley Littleton on November 24th. Although I was out of town I heard nothing but great raves about the wonderful lunch that Lion Kathleen Curley served. Thanks Lion Kathleen.
Save room on your calendar in January we will be looking forward to putting on a dinner and as thanks to our Domiciliary Veteran friends. Date will be forth coming.
Our Cub Scout Pack 117 will be working on the pine wood derby cars with our help again this year. We have given the Pack $380.00 to help sponsor the derby race and for the"Boys Life" magazine which will be given to each boy for a years subscription.
We were too busy this year to get involved with a gift program for the Foster Care program and our food bank recipients. We felt bad that were weren't able to get someone to chair this program so in lieu of this we donated $300.00 to the Anchor Foster Care Program and $1500.00 to the "Gift Program" so other services can distribute gifts to needy children.
Benton Bay presented the Spenard Lions with a check for $400.00 for Food Distribution recipients. These funds will be used to provide them with something special for the Holiday Season.