As I write this on May 5, we Lions and our communities are still sequestered in our homes, hoping to not just flatten the curve of the COVID-19 case numbers but to lower them. Good news appears on the horizon, if we all can stay safe and healthy.

Our MD 36 Lions have not let this closure of our clubs mean closure of our fellowship and service, however! Zoom and Google Hangout and Go To Meeting platforms have proven to be a very interesting way to connect with each other at club and District levels. Our MD 36 election is happening on another excellent platform, “election.runner.com”, due to the cancellation of the MD 36 Convention. Lions all around the MD are now wondering if these methods of communication may change the landscape of how we meet and carry out business without the time and expense of travel. Personally, I see the future as being a mix of both electronic and face-to-face communication. Remember our November program and articles about Cyber Clubs? Well, it appears that circumstances opened those possibilities for us – just not in the way that we hoped.

Further on in this issue you’ll read about service projects that MD 36 clubs have undertaken in many creative ways during the last eight weeks. The Lake Oswego Lions, District O, have a team of mask makers: 1,200+ masks and kits produced today, with a large percentage going to TriMet for use by bus and other drivers and staff. Lion Gretchen Olson has been the light bulb behind this bright idea and gathered the team to work with her. As I write this, she is at the TriMet regional HQ conducting a class for those staff who want to learn the proper method of creating the masks – the service continues!

Many Lions have become the wheels for folks not able to do safe food shopping, or needing to attend to medical needs. Kudos to everyone who has stepped up to deliver food and necessities! I also know of Lions who have ordered toilet paper, disposable diapers, and cleaning products form Amazon and then delivered these most needed items to their local food pantries (Dale and I have been doing this – even though the wait for TP has been up to 6 weeks!).

I want to share two wonderful pieces of encouragement with you. The first is by Amelia Earhart, with thanks to Robin Stoeckler of the Beaverton Lions who shared it: “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the shoots spring up and make new trees”.

Let’s make our continuing service to our communities be the roots and the new shoots springing up become the new Lions that we bring in to join us as we serve.

The second piece is by the much beloved Fred Rogers: “At many times throughout their lives, children will feel the world has turned topsy-turvy. It’s not the ever-present smile that will help them feel secure. It’s knowing that love can hold many feelings, including sadness, and that they can count on the people they love to be with them until the world turns right side up again”.

Lions, let’s be the people that others can count on for help in this topsy-turvy world. WE CAN SERVE our communities in so many creative ways!

Council Chair Sharon

Creating Harmony Through Service