Lions Clubs of Multiple District 36, Oregon and Northern California

We Serve

Lions of Oregon & Northern California are a part of an international network of 1.4 million men and women in 200 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world. Lions are best known for working to end preventable blindness, the giving of eyeglasses and hearing aids for the needy and local service projects.

 

Mission Statement of Lions Clubs International:

 

"To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation."

 

We Are All Changing The World With Every Decision We Make

     Fellow Lions as we are in our eighth month of our Lions year, I thought it was a good time to reiterate International President Patti Hills Theme Changing the World.  There is an old saying – It’s the journey, not the destination.  Changing the world is a journey.  There is no middle and no end.  There is, however, a beginning.  Over my years of serving as a Lion I have found the following to be true.

(1)           Lions have Heart.

(2)           Lions are amazing people doing amazing things to help other people.

(3)           Lions are people who love service.

(4)           Lions are people who show and perform acts of kindness.

(5)           Lions love to have fun.

(6)           Lions are the best volunteers I know.

(7)           Lions change lives today and forever.

(8)           Lions make a real difference that individuals see and feel.

     Lion Patti said that with every small act of service Lions contribute one step towards change.  It’s up to each of us to simply begin.  In fact, fellow Lions, we are all changing the world with every decision we make.  I once heard this, and it stuck with me in my everyday life.  (To make a difference in someone’s life you do not have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful or perfect. You just have to care.)

     If we strive to be positive in our lives and strive to bring positive to others we are putting good into the world. We Lions have been doing our part for 106 years. Every project, every donation, every eye screening, every pair of glasses, every hearing aid, every flag for first graders, every food bank we support. We are making a difference. This is because we care.

     Last year Lions & Leos served over 539 million people through 1.5 million service activities around the world. You, my fellow Lions, were part of that because you cared.

     As we continue forward, we have great things going on in our District. Our reporting has gone up to 82%. That’s 28 of our clubs now reporting. Thank you too all. We continue working with other clubs to help with their service reporting. Thanks to our GLT Lion Fran putting together our second officer training. We had a very successful training session with dedicated Lions showing a passion for Lions and serving their clubs. Our membership isn’t where we would like it to be, but we feel if you just ASK, we can see growth this Lions year. When you read this we will have had our 36-R convention with International Director Lion JoAnne Ogden. My next article will be reporting on the convention and other great things happening in 36-R. Again, I want to thank each of the Lions of 36-R for the service you provide to your community. We make a difference. It’s because we care. DG Lion Lynn  SERVICE FROM THE HEART. I firmly believe that when we Lions serve from our hearts, we go beyond making a difference in our communities. We are in fact CHANGING THE WORLD.

DG Lion Lynn Coon 36-R

Will you not help me hasten the day when there shall be no preventable blindness; no little deaf, blind child untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? I appeal to you Lions, you who have your sight, your hearing, you who are strong and brave and kind. Will you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in this crusade against darkness?
— Helen Keller's Speech at 1925 International Convention Cedar Point, Ohio, USA June 30, 1925