What Can We Do as Lions

     A new month, new US President and Administration, new Oregon Legislative Session with requests, bills, etc. all happening at once - - but under the same old “New Normal” Covid–19 issues being paramount!   District and probably Multiple District Conventions will be held via social media – less expensive but the ability to attract more numbers in attendance, different methods in presentations for Lionism to come to you - the various Lions throughout Oregon and Northern California.  Take advantage of this opportunity to learn what is happening in our Districts while staying in your living room in comfort without having to venture to far away locations!  Pajamas may even be worn, and that “cuppa joe” warmed anytime will be the fare!  District Convention Committees are trying to work the miracles of getting good topics together, interesting presentations ready and recruiting Lions to attend.  Takes away the expensive way to participate in Lions at a higher level – and one can even attend all of the district and multi-district events without breaking your bank account.

      What can we do as Lions as far as activities?  Things can be similar to what we normally do with imaginative twists.  My own Eye Opener Lions Club has been putting on the 4th of July Old Fashioned Fireworks since the Jaycees folded around 1980.  For many years the fireworks were set off by fuses – hand lighting each, then even before the tube cooled down, a new explosive was placed in and once again, hand lit.  Neither safe nor well-coordinated. For safety, in the early 2000’s several of us pyros worked on an electrical switching panel, boxes of switches, wiring tube racks and all the rest.  Then came 2020 and Covid-19 – and no way for July 4th Fireworks due to Covid-19.  Undaunted we spoke to each other in late summer/early fall and decided to work the calendar for New Year’s Eve.  Getting permission from the Port of Hood River to set off pyrotechnics, permits from the state fire marshal, raising funds and doing a quick set-up and firing off the shells and boxes at 8 PM.  Some thought it could not be accomplished, but the fireworks were appreciated by thousands who observed! We Blew out 2020 and now look forward to doing the 4th once again.

     Parking cars at local events, cooking breakfasts and lunches at others, have been our main money raisers.  Some clubs have invested in trailers for bottle and can recycling – which has proved profitable but care needs to be taken due to the pandemic when sorting – masks, distance, etc.  So – what are your clubs doing since we can no longer do the usual fundraising activities?  Cyber eats and take-out meals could be considered.   Let us know what your clubs are doing and share the ideas!  Auctions and raffles need to become a greater part of fundraising as there is less personal contact and you still can have fun participating. 

     Serving the needs of the local community and the broader needs all over the world costs money and time.  Luckily we do have several foundations associated with Lions that we can become an integral part of.  Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation serves us locally with visual screening of school kids and similar localized activities.  Lions Clubs International Foundation serves more broadly – Grants for Disaster Relief, fighting to make the world a safer place with fewer diseases, curbing hunger, becoming better environmental stewards, and more – to make the whole world a better place in which to live, work and play.  These efforts take money, time and effort!   You can help as can your clubs.  Donations made to both Foundations will help fulfill their goals.  Individually, donate to PRIDE via credit card or bank auto withdrawal – it’s easy and you are helping a great cause.  I make automatic $20 per month to Pride and every other year $1,000 goes to LCIF for a Melvin Jones Progressive award, and I also give more to both sporadically.  Makes me feel good that I can assist - can you?  So – go forth, fundraise, donate, give your efforts to help and say HI and HOPE YOU ARE WELL to your friends, neighbors and relatives!  Let everyone know you CARE and WE SERVE!