Lions Clubs of Multiple District 36, Oregon and Northern California

We Serve

Eugene, OR USA

541-484-0452

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."

 

SEPTEMBER 2019 ISSUE

August 26, 2019  /  Guest User

Creating Harmony Through Service

 

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     Stories.  Humankind has used the method of stories to record history – oral history – down through the ages.  How many of you remember hearing stories of your families from parents or grandparents?  How many of you enjoyed reading books as a child that told stories of people beginning a new life away from family and friends (think of Laura Ingalls Wilder) – written history?

     Immediate Past President and chair of LCIF Gundrun Ygnvadottir shared her thoughts about the importance of storytelling in a communication this summer. “Storytelling is ever-important for our Foundation.  It is how Lions – and non-Lions – understand the importance of both doing and giving.  Storytelling moves us to take action.  Hearing the heartwarming story of a child seeing clearly for the first time in their life is what makes us want to be a part of it all”.

     Lions of MD 36, let’s be storytellers!  An article describing a new Multiple District project was included In the July/August Oregon Lion Magazine, on page 10.  The four District Governors would like each of you to write a story describing your “Aha” moment, the time when you became a Lion in your heart.  Each of these stories will be gathered by the District Governors, shared within the Districts and all of the stories will be included in a printed book. (Please read the article for the details).

     Let’s use this opportunity to let each other, and the wider audience who will purchase this book of stories, understand through our words what it means to support our youth, give vision to those who can’t see their world clearly, provide needed food for a family, and more.  Our words will become a part of the written history of Lions.

     And – a possible surprise for MD 36 Lions! PIP Gudrun may be our International representative to the MD 36 convention, to be held May 15 and 16, 2020 at Seven Feathers in Canyonville!  PIP Gudrun, as Chair of LCIF, is asking clubs to support LCIF through awarding the Melvin Jones Fellow award to an increased number of club members this year.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful for PIP Gudrun, or another International Director, to award those Melvin Jones Fellows in person at our convention?  Awards can be to a new recipient and can also be Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow awards.  Can we set a goal of 50 MJF awards for PIP Gudrun to present in person?  Of course we can – if every club awards one MJF, we’ll far surpass that goal!  Details about this project will follow very soon.

     Our Lions year is off to a strong start; stories of service are being created all over our MD.  Let’s continue to keep our clubs vital and active in our communities and invite new members to join in the stories of Lions service!

“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