Keep on Serving From the Heart!

As I am visiting the clubs in District E what a great feeling of Lionism pours into me. Although each club is so different, and although each club has their own agenda of what service in their community means, there is no doubt of their dedication as they show “Service from the Heart”.

As the month of October begins, also so does membership month. Our past International presidents have said in the past “Just Ask” and have also said “Ask 1”. No matter how you go about it, asking is the key. The worst that can happen is that you will receive a No answer, while the best that can happen is a Yes answer. In some cases, the person has never been asked before, in many other cases they may have been asked, but the time was just not right. Don’t give up on a person who says they are too busy - at some time they will become less busy, and there you are, once again asking them to join this great Lions organization of which you are a part. Remember to just keep on asking.

Also please remember that October is Vision Awareness month, and though I know that eyeglass collection is year-round in all of our clubs, I urge each club to set aside a day or a week in October to make a concentrated effort in their community for collection of used eyeglasses. You might consider Thursday October 12th as a day to set aside as that is World Sight day.

Now, as schools have started up again so has the concentrated effort by OLSHF in doing the screening processes at all of the schools. This year “our” foundation is anticipating 200,000 screenings, and as I have visited with the clubs here in District E, I have heard of schedules being set up, and volunteers getting ready to assist. With our team efforts we can reach that goal. What kind of impact does screening have on the children? Well, if a child needs glasses, the impact is something that no price can be put on.

Go team Go! Keep on serving from the heart!

Revitalize The Team Spirit Of The Club

“You don't have to be great at something to start, but you have to start to be great at something.” Zig Zieglar

     District E held its first cabinet meeting in Klamath Falls on August 20 with a disappointingly small number of cabinet members present.  As I visit the clubs in District E, I find that all are ready, willing, and able to get started once again in the aftermath of the Covid Pandemic, with service to our communities. I urge all of our Lions to revitalize the team spirit of the club and start making themselves visible in their clubs and their communities.  Our International President Brian Sheehan’s theme this year is “Together We Can” with the focus on teamwork.   A necessary part of the team effort is focusing on training and leadership within our clubs.  This will instinctively lead to more “Service from the Heart”, my theme for the year.

     As Lions we research what our communities needs are, and do something about those needs.  We do not sit around and do nothing, instead we take advantage of the opportunities around us to fulfill the needs in our community, then we make a start.  Sometimes we can do it as a single Lions club working as a team, while other times we team up with other organizations in the community to achieve even greater results.

     As we look at our four districts this year, we see the need for upcoming leaders to fill the roles of Vice District Governors, as well as other key positions.  We need these leaders to keep things moving, and leaders need training.  There is a multitude of training programs available for every officer and cabinet position within our Lions organization.  With that in mind, we have tentatively scheduled Northwest Lions Leadership Institute (NWLLI) for April 21-23, 2023.  This 3-day training session offers seminars that will develop and enhance leadership skills.  I am asking all clubs in every district to look at the personnel in their club.  Every club has potential leaders, so take this opportunity to seek out these Lions and have them attend this institute.

DG Gail- “Service from the Heart”

Finding Leaders For The District

     In 2014-15 as District Governor of MD36-E, I was honored and thrilled to have the “one time” experience of being the DG.  Well, here it is 2022-23 and here I am again the DG of MD36-E.  For anyone unaware of how this situation came about, the DGE Jan Slusser, and 1VDG Jerry Gomez, both resigned their positions due to health reasons. At the District E convention, Lion Paul Novak was elected to 2VDG, but we were now minus a DGE and a 1VDG.  It became necessary to put someone into the position, and unfortunately an eligible candidate could not be found.  Thus came the procedure of appointing a PDG into the position, and because of new changes in the Constitution and Bylaws this became a challenge as well.  End result was that because I was willing to step forward, I received that honor.

     Now you would think this would be an easy task considering I had “been there, done that” before, but I can assure you that is not the case.  And even though I traveled with PDG Carolee Blatter during her year in 2019, since my time in office 8 years ago, there have been many, many changes.  And having the appointment confirmed just 3 short weeks before international convention, as well as having missed some very important district trainings, it has been quite the effort to fill the cabinet positions, take the necessary on-line training, set up the district goals, get ready for the additional training taking place in Montreal Canada, and get an itinerary set up for a visitation to each and every club in the district.  But things are progressing right along. My thanks to those of you whom I have contacted that have agreed to take a cabinet position.  My visitation schedule has been set up based on information submitted by each club this year to LCI.  I will be sending out a proposed visitation schedule soon, and contacting you to verify the planned visitation date.

     There ae some fairly big hurdles to jump this year, but I feel our biggest one is in finding leaders for the district.  I know that in every club there are potential leaders.  As a district, we just need to find a way to let them bring forth their abilities and step up into leadership positions.  Many of our problems, I know, stem from the pandemic over the past 2 years which has wrought many changes to our clubs and our communities. Now we must start looking forward and creating our new normal.  Amongst the things I look forward to this year will be better attendance at our cabinet meetings, better communication between clubs and the District Governor, and some good training.  More than anything else as we go into this year together, I want us to enjoy every moment of it with fun and fellowship as We Serve.

Reestablish Our Garden And Make It A Thing Of Beauty

     Spring is here. As I look out on our garden, I see some green, some brown and a lot of the garden in disarray.  I ask what we need to do to turn this garden into a green Vibrant, organized productive garden.   We need to till the soil, add nutrients, revitalize our older plants, plant new plants, nurture them and help them grow into strong productive parts of the garden.

     Our Lions Clubs are like a garden, if we depend only on the old established members, we soon become old and nonproductive, we need to till the soil (rotate the leaders on a regular basis).   We need to add nutrients, (Reimagine how we do things, and who does them).  Our older members need to be revitalized; we need to find things they can do to further the mission of the club.  We need to plant new plants, (New younger members) these new members are the future of our garden.  We need to nurture them by listening to them, providing opportunities for leadership, and making them feel like a productive member of the club.

     If we can do this our Garden will grow and produce members that will carry on a proud tradition of lionism long after we are gone.

     As I look back on this last year, I see a lot of our district clubs struggling to be part of their communities, even the clubs that appear to be recovering, are struggling.  We need to struggle to reestablish our garden and make it a thing of beauty.

Stephen Brewster

District Governor MD36-E

New Ideas And New Perspectives

     Where is your replacement?  It’s time for all of us to be replaced in our job.  A new Lion’s year is beginning.  Have we mentored our replacements to do our job?  Our legacy is not how well we did our job, but how well we mentored the people following us.

     It is sad when I look at the reports of new club officers for the 22-23 year, they are not new, they are the same ones we keep re electing every year.  By Electing New people into these positions, we bring in new ideas and new perspectives on ways to accomplish our club goals.  Most of these Jobs are not hard if we use the resources that we have available.  We need to get over the idea that only I can do this.

     I propose we all take someone under our wing and mentor them to do our job in Lions so when something happens there is some one who steps in, knows what to do and your projects get done and everyone takes a bow for a job well done.

     Can you imagine a club where everyone in the club had a different responsibility every year?  You wouldn’t have Lions getting burnt out and frustrated, leaving the club. You would have Lions willing to take leadership positions because they would know that they would not be in this position forever.

     As the old saying goes, everyone is replaceable. They may do the job better or not as well, but they will get the job done.  So let’s leave a legacy and leave our clubs a better place.

Steve Brewster, DG 36-E

Be Open To Reinventing The Way We Serve Our Communities

     It is election time again.  We walk into our meetings and say we need volunteers to fill our club offices.  Someone raises their hand and says our current officers are doing a good job, let’s just reelect them, problem solved.  Problem not solved; problem created.  Now, we have stagnated at the club level.  We have presidents and secretaries in their offices for over 5 years with some who have served for life.  No one else in the club has developed leadership skills.  We have taken the easy route and our clubs die from lack of interest.  We need the constant flow of new energy.

     Problem #2.  We need Zone Chairs to help clubs continue to operate and coordinate their efforts.  To be a Zone Chair you must have served as a club officer.  These people don’t want to move up because they are busy at the club level and don’t think they have time in their lives to take on extra responsibilities.  We now have zone chairs that are not interested in moving up in leadership or have already served in leadership positions. We are now stagnant at this level of leadership.

     Problem #3.  To be a 1st VDG or a 2nd VDG requires that you must have served as a Zone Chair.  We are now short of Qualified Lions to Fill these positions.  We are now stagnant at the top.  We have no one moving into these positions.  Currently, the position of District Governor is Stagnate.

     None of these positions by themselves are hard or time-consuming when that is the only position you hold.  It’s when you try to be responsible and take on a lot of positions that you get overwhelmed and don’t do as good of a job as you are capable of.

     To solve these problems, we need to start at the bottom and fix the problem there.  We need to become proactive, move our members into leadership positions, move new members into director positions and give them a voice in club operation.  Old members and new members need to listen to each other and be open to reinventing the way we serve our communities.  One thing the past 2 years has taught us is that there are other ways to serve and to operate as clubs.  Let’s not take the easy route and waste away to nonexistence.  Let’s be more inclusive and move people into leadership positions.  Let’s not be the one who blocks the way for the future.  We as leaders are the ones who need to reinvigorate our clubs and move our members ahead to greater service.

     Stephen Brewster, District Governor MD36E

For Our Clubs To Grow We Must Reinvent Ourselves

     Change is in the air.  I see Lions Clubs Reentering and returning to service in their communities.  Not all of them are returning to “Normal.”  They are creating a new normal.  They are reimagining the way they serve their communities.

     We are no longer a group of businessmen serving our communities, we are a diverse group of individuals with a common goal of service.  What do Lions’ clubs do? We raise money, then we invest that money into our communities to fund causes to improve the well-being of all our communities.

     For our clubs to grow we must reinvent ourselves, look at new ways of doing things.  New ways of serving our communities that reflect our community values.  As Lion leaders we must find new ways to lead.  Change starts from the bottom at the club level. We as Lion leaders are here to support our clubs, to give aid while they define their club their way, their club.

     At the club level we have created a code of ethics and a set of bylaws to guide us in the direction of our clubs.  We fundraise to support our communities.  If we are not reinvesting those funds into our communities, we will not survive as an organization.

Steve Brewster, District Governor 36-E

Get Back To Respect Of All Lions

     Has your club established procedures for orientating and mentoring new members into your club?  Getting new members and retaining existing members needs to be a priority for club presidents and membership chairs.  We need to create an environment where members, whether new or existing, are made to feel included in all aspects of the club.   

     WE need to get rid of the attitude “We have always done it this way and We have tried that it doesn’t work”.   We need to be willing to listen and consider all options.   We can no longer be the old people clubs, to grow we need to embrace new ideas, new technology, and new ways of doing things.  We need to get back to respect of all Lions.

     Conventions are coming up.  Yes, we are planning an in-person convention this year.   We hope to make this one different and more fun and engaging.   Our Convention will be one day Saturday March 26th with a daytime and evening session.  To include all Lions and meet covid restrictions masks will be required and because of limited venue availability it will not be handicap accessible.  

     For those of you I have not visited I hope to see you soon.

Stephen Brewster, DG-36E

WE SERVE

Include As Many Members As Possible

     As 2021 ends and 2022 begins, it is time to gather our club members into an environment of inclusion and friendship.  We need to start holding regular scheduled meetings in an environment that allows members to feel comfortable and safe.  If your current location does not allow room for proper distancing, look around and find a new location.  Legion clubs, elks clubs, grange buildings, and in some cases, churches have an area you can meet in.

     We need to return to doing our fundraising so we can return to our service projects. We need to rethink the way we do our projects, so we include as many members as possible in a safe and responsible environment.

     We need to come back together in the spirit of service and friendship.  Then we will grow as an organization.

Stephen Brewster, District Governor MD36-E

Updating Your Constitution and Bylaws

     Clubs where are your constitution and bylaws?  Over the past few months, I have become aware that many clubs do not know what their constitutions and bylaws say and even where they are.  These are the documents that guide your club in all your actions and interactions with club members and the public.  It’s time to drag these documents out, dust them off, and take them to your club meetings for review and updates as necessary.

     Lions Clubs International has a lot of resources on their website to aid clubs in updating their constitution and bylaws, the best one is the club president eBook and the club secretary eBook, these documents have links to most of the resources that your officers need in their endeavors to lead their club into the future.

     As clubs we need to be inclusive of new members, open to change, we’ve always done it that way no longer works.  We need to let our communities know what we are doing. We need to keep track of our existing members and keep them involved.  We are about fellowship and community involvement.

     We need to remember the first part of all constitution and bylaws:

     The purposes of this club shall be: (a) To create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world. (b) To promote the principles of good government and good citizenship. (c) To take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community. (d) To unite the members in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding. (e) To provide a forum for the open discussion of all matters of public interest; provided, however, that partisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members. (f) To encourage service-minded people to serve their community without personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works and private endeavor.

Ready To Give The Gift Of Sight

     As we Lions celebrate one of our 5 global causes Vision Awareness, through our school vision screening programs. It makes me proud to be a Lion when I show up at many of the southern Oregon schools, with group of local Lions who are ready to give the gift of sight to many school kids who might not even know they have a problem seeing.  Most of these young kids do not even know they have a problem, because this is the only thing they know, they think their sight is normal.

     This past week as I was doing a screening at an elementary school in, one of the volunteers from the Bonanza Lions Club related her story of why she became a Lion and has always tried to participate in the vision screening program.  She told me that when she was in school the Lions came and did a vision screening at her school.  Later they made an appointment to see her and her parents. They told her parents they had an appointment with an eye doctor to get her vision tested.  Her older sister told them she would make sure she got to the appointment.  When she returned home with her new glasses, she was amazed at how her home really looked.  Years later when asked to join Lions she gladly joined and continued to further the vision mission of Lions.

     Although Vision Screening has been trying this year, with many challenges, I encourage All Lions to participate in the vision screenings at your local schools.  If your schools do not participate, find out why and encourage them to perform these vital vision screenings.  This is one of the most satisfying projects a club can promote and participate in.

Stephen Brewster DG, MD36-E

Lions Can Help Prepare Our Communities

October 2021 - Lions Magazine

     As climate change worsen, life in our communities will become more uncertain.  We as Lions can help prepare our communities in the event of emergencies. One way to do this is to prepare a go bag that is ready and can be grabbed in the event of an evacuation.

     Developing go bags is a great way for Lions Clubs to learn how to prepare and then take that knowledge out to their communities so, those communities can be better prepared.  The go bag should hold enough supplies for at least three days and should be particularized to your individual needs. The basic components of a go bag should include water, food, and clothing.  But there is a myriad of other suggestions of what should be included.  FEMA provides a basic list through their website ready.gov.  It is also a great location for other basic information about what to do in an emergency.  If you are looking for more detailed information about how to prepare for an emergency there is also a book called How to Prepare for Climate Change: A Practical Guide to Surviving the Chaos by David Pough. 

     It is also important to remember to prepare any important personal information in advance.  Make sure that all your important documents are kept together and are ready to grab as you leave.  Also make sure that you have pictures and information about you family should you become separated.  Once the go bag is completed make sure that it is placed somewhere where it is easy to grab and that all its components are kept together to ensure that it is ready to go.  Once the club has developed their go bags they can move out in the community to help other community members prepare for an emergency.

Stephen Brewster DG

MD-36E

Improve Retention and Attract New Members

September 2021 - Lions Magazine

Lessons learned during my first month as District Governor:

1.    Relief. There are local groups that deal with needs daily.  They are equipped to react immediately and have the ability to obtain resources in a timely manner.  Our job as Lions is to partner with these groups and give support where needed.  We need to form these partnerships before a situation arises.   We can provide community education on what you need in case of evacuation, where to go and what to do.

2.    Service.  Our District is busy doing a lot of service projects.  We don’t tell anyone about it, only 12 percent of our District’s clubs report to LCI and only 7 of the clubs in our District have services officers to report their activities. The position of marketing director is under used or not appointed in most clubs.  We need to get out there and sell our clubs and what we do.

3.    Officer Training.  We need to promote signing up for Lions Clubs International Web Site:  There is online training available, project suggestions, recruitment programs and retention programs -- Along with information about their clubs.

4.    Membership. Clubs are not meeting at full strength, there is still a lot of anxiety about getting together.  We need to promote easy outdoor service projects with high community visibility, involve all members in the project and promote social responsibility.  This will help improve retention and attract new members.  We need to promote our districts NAMI initiative.  There are clubs out there that are unaware of our dues for new members. We as Lions can overcome the challenges of today through reimagining how we serve.  We need to become the new Lions of today.

Service From The Heart.  We Serve.

Steve Brewster, District Governor MD36E

Creating Great Fellowship

July/August - Lions magazine

     Lions of Oregon I look forward to joining you in the challenges of the upcoming year.  With the restrictions of Covid being lifted and Lions Clubs all over the district being able to meet on a regular basis again.  It is time to rediscover our commitment of service to our communities.

     Lions Clubs International has put their focus on five global causes:  diabetes, vision, childhood cancer, hunger and the environment.  I have chosen the environment with the theme “PAWS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT” to encourage all members to participate in projects of high visibility within their communities.  There are many projects from simple like planting flowers in public places to cleaning parks and roadways and more complex projects like providing outdoor recreational facilities, and tree and plant sales.  We can also encourage public recycling and promote ways to reduce our carbon footprints.  These projects can energize you club members, while attracting new members with the visibility of your club.

     With the pandemic end in sight, we will not be returning to the old normal, we will be creating our new normal.  Our new normal will be creating great fellowship, both with old and new members, creating new ways to serve our communities.  Our new normal will be how we relate with our fellow lions and serve our communities.

     This year let us all go out and have fun serving our communities.  Let us follow the motto of our International President Douglas Alexander which is “Service from the Heart.”   

     We Serve.

You Join a Family When You Join a Lions Club

JUNE 2021 - LIONS MAGAZINE

     This year, we District Governors have experienced something that no other District Governor has ever experienced - - - COVID.  We had to adjust, learn to cope, and try our hardest to come out on top.  Covid had us for a while, but then we learned how to side step a bit and figured out how to achieve our goals, how to do fundraisers and to get things done.  It has been a year of learning and adjusting - - -but we made it work.

     We District Governors have formed a bond, we have worked together and have become friends.  We were thrown together not knowing much about each other, but it all worked out well.

     I am hoping to finish my visitations between now and the end of June.  I have everyone scheduled except Myrtle Point and Crescent City.

     I would be remiss if I didn’t give thanks to PCC Gail Black and CCE Bob Chaney.  Both have a wealth of knowledge and they were able to share some of that with me.  I know whatever my future holds in Lionism, they will be there to guide me along.  Thank you both for your help and continued support.

     In your Lion travels remember, you join a family when you join a Lions club, and you make friends along the Lions trail, and you work together in fellowship.  Thus, you have my theme for this year:  Family, Friends and Fellowship.

     Thank you to all my Lions clubs in District E for all you have done this year and for how you worked around Covid to have a successful year.

     I am grateful for the opportunity of being your District Governor this year and serving our communities in District E.  I could have not completed my job without your help and support.  District E is doing well and will continue to do well in the future.

Time To Get Back To Business!

     In case you missed the convention, here is the convention report.

     District E virtual convention was held March 27th, with the OLSHF acting as host for the zoom meeting.  We had a great International Director from Connecticut by the name of Mark Lyon.  He hosted a question and answer session during the morning and a very inspiring keynote speech at the end of the convention.  District E is donating $200.00 to LCIF in his name.

     The election for new officers went well: we have Steven Brewster as District Governor Elect, from Klamath Falls and Jan Slusser as the incoming 2nd Vice District Governor from Grants Pass, and a new Trustee Melissa Clinton from Klamath Falls.  We still have a position of 1st Vice District Governor open, please let me know if you are interested in applying.

     We had a raffle for a two week stay at Leavenworth, and two auction items to bid on during the convention.  One was a 30 x 40 picture of a lions head and a lion head bust.  Both were won by District Governor from District R, Linda Stent.  The Leavenworth trip was won by Sean Negherbon, a past president from Myrtle Creek Club.

     I feel that the District E Convention went well and was enjoyed by most.  It was the first attempt on being virtual and I’m sure things will improve with each try, hopefully we will get back to person to person meetings soon.

     We also had two seminars, one was “Why do I have to pay to be a volunteer?” and the other was a presentation on “The importance of Long Term Recovery following a disaster”.

     I want to especially thank OLSHF for all their efforts in making our convention a success and also again thank both PDG Bob Chaney and PCC Gail Black for their contributions.

     With the better weather approaching and most of us having had our COVID shots, we should be getting ready for more meetings and more fundraising.  Most of our clubs have been silent for the winter months, but now is the time to get back to business!  While we are out and about it is also a good time to work on membership.  More members make for more busy hands in our communities.  Remember we are a service organization and WE SERVE.

Remember We Have More Conventions Coming Up

Lion Magazine - April 2021

     I hope everyone enjoyed our virtual 36 E convention!  We were pleased to have Past International Director Mark Lyon join us from the state of Connecticut.  It was a pleasure to meet Mark and his wife Lyn.

     I still have 10 clubs left to visit this year.  Some of the scheduling has been a little tricky.  We are either off or on extreme level.  Some clubs are meeting virtually, while others are not meeting at all.  Those with tech knowledge are meeting monthly virtually, but some areas the internet is not good or there are no persons with a computer, thus no meetings.  I personally prefer to meet in person, to just have the personal connection.  What I prefer doesn’t matter, we must follow the guidelines given to us.

     By the time you get to read this, the elections will be over, so congratulations to the new officers.  I know you will do a great job.

     Don’t forget Campaign 100, your donations make so many services available to fellow Lions everywhere.

     Remember we have more conventions coming up, District G and District R and the Multiple District.  One good thing about virtual conventions is you don’t have to leave your home or get dressed up. Please attend as many as you can, it gives you a chance to see how each district does things and you may get some good ideas from each one.

     Thanks for reading, stay safe, wear your mask, social distance, get your shots, and stay well.

Better Days Are Before Us

Lion Magazine - February 2021

Happy February!

     Hope you got a card or some candy from a friend or family member.  February is the month of LOVE – so share your love with others and show your love of Lions.

     As history repeats itself, Lions membership in 36-E has dropped.  We dropped 32 members, lost 5 members to death leaving us with a total of 37 member losses, we gained 31 new members so we are off by 6.  The year is not over and we should be able to gain 6 new members or more for a plus.  That brings us to the North American Membership Initiative.  Be on the lookout for new members that could be great members.  Try for younger members who can carry on the good work that Lions do.

     I know that the last six months have not been a picnic!  With fires, loss of homes, and jobs.  I think it is especially hard for our older members who have lost everything, they could use our help.  We need to work together to help each other and especially those less fortunate than ourselves.  Some of our members lost all their possessions in one fire or another.  I know that fundraising has been difficult.  I also know that some of the clubs are struggling to keep their heads above water - - please don’t give up-- better days are before us.  If you know of a struggling club, give them a hand.

     With the help of every Lions Club in District E, there is no reason for not being successful in all that we do, we just need to work together to build a successful year.

     Remember to love and help one another and remember MORE HANDS MAKE MORE SERVICE!

The Best Part Of Being A District Governor

     Welcome to 2021!  I pray we are on an upward swing for fighting Covid-19; and getting somewhere near our “past” normal.  Covid-19 has really thrown us for a loop this year and probably into 2121 also.  We have lost that wonderful feeling of seeing each other and our members in person; then throw in some fires of 2020 and the damage that many members experienced.  All and all 2020 has been one heck of a learning experience.

     Hoping you all had a Merry Christmas even with all the restrictions.  Our area here in District E is listed as an Extreme Hazard Area, we have restrictions running out our ears.  Do that, and don’t go there, eat at home, social distance, no more than a certain amount of people to gather together, and wear your mask to make sure you are not spreading the virus to other, hopefully most people are doing this to help slow down the spread of Covid-19.

     My year as District Governor is half over and my visitations are nearly done.  As I tell each club I visit, “This is the best part of being a District Governor, getting to meet the members and hearing about their projects and other fun activities.  I have really enjoyed the visitations.

     Remember that January is Hunger Awareness month.  Please don’t forget about our local Food Banks.  Things run short during the holidays and we have already had the fires and Thanksgiving, thus a hard time for our local Food Banks.

     We will be starting to prepare for convention time, March is not that far away.  We are hoping for a personal convention, but could be forced into virtual.  There goes our personal connections again.  As you know, we lost our 2nd Vice President who had to resign for personal reasons; and he will be greatly missed.  We are looking for a replacement.  Give that some thought - - we need a replacement, let me know if you are interested.

     I hope you had a good Christmas and are ready to move forward into 2021 and the challenges that come with it.  Please remember our motto “we serve” as we head into a new year.

     I wish everyone a “Happy New Year.”

Continue to Support Those in Need

     As Lions our service to our communities is most important at this time of year - - helping those who are less fortunate.  I know that many of our wonderful Lions clubs provide food baskets or make donations to those organizations that do supply food and gifts to those in need.  In addition, I see this as a time for personal involvement as well.  Find that person or family that needs an extra measure of love and kindness in this season and give of yourself.  Adopt a family, pick a child’s name off of a tree with different boys and girls ages and provide a gift, or invite someone who is alone over to dinner.  I know with COVID 19, we are hampered on doing some things; but try your hardest to give of yourself to those in need.

     One club I just visited gave out 62 food baskets last year and they are hoping to increase that amount this year. Another club is purchasing Christmas trees (got a special from the tree seller) and will take them to needy families in their communities. Still another group will furnish tree decorations and attach them to the trees when given out and adding some food baskets where needed.  So, continue to support those in need.  You will be the winner in the long run and everyone will be able to have a wonderful Christmas.  There will be trees, decorations, food, love and kindness; and isn’t that the reason “We Serve” for the season and all year long.