1 July-30 June                            Month

       Fiscal Year         

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

June

July

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Annual Donation Activity

ü      Beaver County YMCA ($300)

ü      McGuire Home ($500)

ü      Vietnam Veterans ($125)

ü      Keystone Blind Association ($200)

ü      PA Lions Hearing Foundation ($1,000)

ü      PA Lions Diabetes Foundation ($1,000)

ü      PA Sight Conservation and Eye Research ($1,000)

ü      High School Scholarships ($2,000)

ü      District Governor’s Projects ($1,140)

ü      Lighthouse Christmas Party ($150)

ü      Northwestern “Adoption” ($1,500)

ü      Beaver Valley Nursing Home ($100)

ü      Give-A-Christmas ($300)

ü      The Lighthouse ($1,000)

ü      American Red Cross ($100)

ü      Christmas Food Baskets ($1,500)

ü      Beacon Lodge Challenge ($3,000)

ü      Western PA Lions Hearing Foundation ($500)

ü      Darlington Historical Society ($1,000)

ü      Beacon Lodge Camper Sponsorship ($500)

ü      Beacon Lodge “500 Club”  ($280)

ü      Drug Poster Awards ($80)

ü      VIP Sports ($500)

ü      USO ($50)

ü      District Governor Gift ($100)

ü      Darlington Township Fire Department ($150)

ü      Other (Ramps, exams, eyeglasses, etc.--$4,700)

                                                      Total: $21,775

Month

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

June

July

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Fundraiser Activity

ü     Mother’s Day Rose Sale

ü      Horse Show

ü      Spring Wine Dinner

ü      Night-At-The-Races

ü      Refreshment Stand

ü      Golf Tournament

ü      White Cane Safety Days

ü      Brooms

Titanium ($4,000-5,000)

Platinum ($3,000-3,999)

Gold ($2,000-2,999)

Gabe Buksa

Brian McCarl

Club Raffle

Tom Cekovich

Bill Nelson

Silver ($1,000-1,999)

Bronze ($500-999)

Iron ($1-499)

Mark Carter

Alan Ferguson

Keith Householder

Ken Letzkus

John Wakelee

Mark Hudak

Melanie Irwin

Bill Laughner

Dennis McClain

Mike Osman

Dale Capps

Tim Davis

Bill Duff

Harry Freed

Ron Gilkey

John Gishbaugher

Tom Hinds

Ben Hostetler

Tom Hudak

John Lanctot

Frank Magno

Paul Mulig

Joe Seiber

Bill Stitt

Ben Thayer

Jack Wilson

...others

·         PDG Schimmel Speaks on Western PA Lions Foundation

·         Alexis McCowin—January High School Student of the Month

·         Northwestern “Classroom of the Month”

·         Blood Drive a “Shinning Star”

·      55 Food Baskets Distributed

·      Membership “Info Meeting”—24 Feb.

·      Our CSFII Donations Rank 3^rd in PA

·         We need to “Advertise” Leos

·         BIS Prepared for Poster Contest

·         Cancel the Horse Show-Sell More

              Roses?

·         Possible Service Project?

·         Best Wishes to Lion McClain

         ·       Board Actions

 ·      Thank You's

 ·      Extraordinary Gentlemen

 ·      Treasurer's Report

 ·      Editor's Notes

 ·      Service Anniversaries

 ·      Birthdays

Ÿ               Condolences

 ·      Lion Davis: Back In Action?

 ·      Meeting Locations

 ·      Address Changes

 ·      Future Dates

Ÿ         Eyeglasses (0)

Ÿ           50-50 Kitty Status: $295

PDG Schimmel Presents Western PA Lions Hearing Foundation

At our 22 November meeting PDG Jack Schimmel from District 14-B (Allegheny County) spoke with us about the Western PA Lions Hearing Foundation. He first explained that the Western PA Lions Hearing Foundation differs from the PA Lions Hearing Foundation.  “The PA Lions Hearing Foundation is in the ‘research business;’ the Western PA Lions Foundation is in the ‘people business’ ” said PDG Jack. 

“The Western PA Lion Hearing Foundation was formed in 1979 by the six western Lions District Governors.  From 1979 to 1984 they were housed at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh.  In 1984 they moved to the Eye and Ear Hospital (now UPMC) where they were involved with the funding of research and implementation of cochlear implants.  There is a tremendous need in western PA for hearing aids by people who can not afford them.  (We have in western PA one of the oldest population in the US.)  Therefore, the Foundation developed a program with UPMC that supplies hearing aids for qualified candidates at a cost of $300 per person who meet the income requirements (no more than twice the poverty level = about $17,000-18,000 per year).  This includes the hearing exam, the audiological exam and one hearing aid.   These hearing aids have ‘tele-coils’ that allow wearers to hear on the phone.  Recently the program has been expanded.  In addition to the exam site in Oakland, six other sites are available—one in Cranberry.”

“The question is asked ‘What about cochlear implants?’  A person must be nearly deaf to qualify for a cochlear implant and the operation is a delicate, expensive process.”

“Because of the demand for hearing aids by the elderly, we are looking for funds to supply hearing aids for the needy of western PA.  Most of the time the medical exam is covered by some sort of insurance.  (UPMC has a “Free Care” program for those individuals who do not have insurance coverage.)  An audiologist will charge from $2,000 to $4,000 and will want to sell you two hearing aids.  The service provided by the Foundation considers the audiological exam part of the hearing aid package.  Thus, the total package will cost only $300.  (The Foundation supplies 24-36 hearing aids each year.)” 

The process for application for a Foundation hearing aid is:

Ÿ         Contact PDG Tom Roberts Sr.

Ÿ         Complete the application form

Ÿ         Submit the form by PDG Roberts to the Foundation

Ÿ         Approval by the Foundation

Ÿ         If approved, examined at a designated site

PDG Schimmel concluded his comments with the following:

“Money can buy you a house—but it is not a home.

Money can buy you a bed—but not sleep.

Money can buy you a book—but not knowledge.

Money can buy you a position—but not respect.

Money can buy you medicine—but not health.

Money can buy you blood—but not life.

Money can buy you sex—but not love.

Money is not everything.  It often causes pain and suffering.  I tell you this because I am your friend.  As your friend, I will take away all of your pain and suffering.  Send me any money—checks or cash—we take it all.”  

At the conclusion of PDG Schimmel’s remarks, PCC McCarl presented a $500 donation to the Western PA Lions Hearing Foundation on behalf of the Little Beaver Lions. 

Alexis McCowin Honored as January Blackhawk High School Student of the Month

We honored Alexis McCowin as our January Student of the Month.    Alexis is the daughter of Kristine and Craig McCowin and the sister of Nicholas and Collin.

Alexis is a senior at Blackhawk High School where she is Public Relations Office of the National Honor Society, Co-Editor of the yearbook, Track, Dual Enrollment and a member of the Journalism Staff, Board Games Club and Spanish Club. 

For hobbies she enjoys track, running and shopping with friends.  Her community service includes various service projects as a member of the National Honor Society, making and distributing greeting cards for people in nursing homes, helping children at McGuire Home and participating in food drives. She is a member of the Christ the Divine Teacher Parish.

She carries a 3.87 grade point average.

After graduation from Blackhawk High School she will attend Duquesne University.

 Northwestern Classroom of the Month.

The Northwestern Primary School selected Room 107 as the January “Classroom of the Month.”  Guidance Counselor Bob Abel said that the students of Room 107 (Mrs. Klimchak) were selected because of their exemplary behavior, outstanding attitude and excellent performance.  The class was presented with a plaque and the “Class of the Month” banner was posted above their classroom door.  Congratulations Room 107!

Little Beaver Blood Drive is a “Shinning Star”

“You folks were the ‘Shinning Stars’ of the Day!” said Pat Miller, Senior Field Representative (American Red Cross Donor Resources Development).  The snowy, cold weather played havoc with the day’s other blood drives but not ours.  Together we donated 34 units of blood on 13 January from 2-7 pm at the Darlington Township Municipal Building.  That amount will generate enough blood products to help 68 people.  Several donors gave “Double Red” units. We had 13 “walk-in” donors and 9 “first-time” donors.  Thank you to those Lions who donated and otherwise helped: Bollard, Cekovich, Ferguson, Goehring, Haller, Hostetler, Householder, Mark Hudak, Matt Hudak, Laughner, Mulig and Pashuta. Special thanks also go to Mary Anna Carter and Lioness Grace Ferguson and Marlene Laughner for their giving blood and working long hours. 

55 Christmas Food Baskets Distributed

Lion Hostetler reported that we prepared and distributed 55 Christmas Food baskets to the needy.  He thanked all who helped.  About $670 were donated to this service project.  The cost to the Little Beaver Lions to build 55 food baskets was about $1,500.  All went smoothly. Good job Lion Hostetler!

Membership “Information Meeting” — 24 February

We sent invitations to your “prospects” for an “Information Meeting” (Tuesday, 24 February from 7-9 pm at Lance’s Restaurant).  This event will be a social gathering and information meeting where we will describe what we do.  (We will not ask people to join, to give money or to help with fundraisers.)  You do not need to contact these “prospects”; a Lion “recruiter” will do that in March. (Those “prospects” who are interested will then be invited to a Friendship Night in March when we will ask them to join with us.)

If you have any additional “Prospects,” please give their names and addresses to Lion M. Carter ([email protected]; 724-846-4413)

Campaign SightFirstII—Little Beaver Pledges Rank 3^rd in PA

 Lion B. McCarl reported that the $30,000 pledged by the Little Beaver Lions is the third highest amount pledged by over 800 Lions Clubs in Pennsylvania.  As of 1 January, we have given $22,171 of that pledged amount. 

We Need to “Advertise" the Blackhawk Leo Club to Students    

Lion Laughner reported that the Leo Club advisor, Lion Joe Verbosky, said they had 10 members this academic year.  None of our Students of the Month have known anything about the Blackhawk Leo Club.  We need to have a member from the Chippewa Lions and a member from Little Beaver meet with Lion Verbosky before the academic year starts to address this issue.  The purpose of the meeting should be how to enhance the Leo program.  Students need to know more about the purpose and the community service activities of the Leo Club.   

Blackhawk Intermediate School (BIS) Ready for Drug Abuse Prevention Poster Contest.

Lion Ferguson reported that BIS has added our Drug Abuse Prevention Poster Contest to the art curriculum of their fourth grade classes.  About 200 students (eight classes) will participate in this mandatory, graded classroom activity.  Tri-fold brochures explaining the program have been given to Marykim Murtha, the art teacher.  She will send

the brochures home to the students’ parents.  Posters will be completed and grouped by homerooms.  Mrs. Murtha will then select the top five from each homeroom.  These 40 posters will be available 1 March for pickup by Lion MacDonald.  Then, members of the Blackhawk Leo Club, the Little Beaver Lions Club and the Chippewa Lions Club will judge the 40 posters, picking a winner for each of the 8 classrooms.  First-place winners will receive a $20 award and a special certificate at the BIS year-end awards ceremony.  Winners will also be entered in the District 14-N contest.  The other 32 of the 40 students will get a participation certificate. 

Discussion: Cancel the Horse Show and Sell More Roses?

We are not sure we can sell an additional quantity of roses to compensate for the lack of a Horse Show. ($15 retail at a cost of $6.50/dozen; wholesale cost of $9/dozen; $4,000 Horse Show profit = 470 additional dozen [Little Beaver Club sales] or 1,600 additional dozen wholesale?)  

Lion Laughner explained that we need help every day (Sunday through Wednesday), so “helping” is a multiple day commitment—not just one day.  We need to advertise in all of the bars, restaurants, churches and stores.  We need to involve youth to help: Students of the Month, Leos, St Rose Parish, Christ the Divine Teacher Parish.   We need to approach Lions Clubs in District 14-B (Allegheny County) and Ohio for possible rose sales.

We have conducted the Horse Show fundraised for forty-seven years.  The Food Stand is not a problem (Lion Gishbaugher).  The Rink events are under control (Lion Cekovich).  The problem is the Ad Booklet. (Lion Laughner will not chair the Horse Show this year--he will help but he will not be responsible for coordinating the Program Ad Booklet.)  Lions Cekovich, Gishbaugher and Mark Hudak will be responsible for the Ad Booklet.  (A motion to continue our Horse Show was approved.)

Lion Mark Hudak will contact PA Amateur Horse Association to determine what days are available.  Horse Show should be on a Saturday in June, July or early-August.  (We must not schedule the Horse Show for the 18^th of July--Lions Appreciation Weekend at Beacon Lodge.)  Once a date is set, Lion Cekovich will reserve the Brady’s Run Horse Rink.

Possible Service Project: Transport of Used Hospital Beds to Honduras

Lion Laughner was contacted by Dr. Mater, an internist in Beaver, about the possible transport of used hospital beds to Honduras.  Lion Laughner evaluated the Denton Program that facilitates the transport of humanitarian aid on military cargo flights (space available, no charge).  He has obtained an organization code number that would allow us to sponsor this transport, if we decide to proceed.  The Medical Center has 240 beds that they would donate.  Dr. Mater would be responsible for all of the paperwork associated with the transportation and distribution of the beds in Honduras.  Little Beaver Lions would be responsible for coordinating the transport of beds from The Medical Center to the military airbase in Pittsburgh or Youngstown. Lion Bill will obtain more details and present them to the Board should the program proceed. 

Extraordinary Gentlemen

(Lion Householder reported no visits in January)

Treasurer’s Report

Lion Thayer reported that as of 20 November our account balances were:

         Administrative:  $719

Activity:  $17,792

Cemetery: $198

         Total: $18,710

 Board Actions

·   Approved $250 donation to Team-in-Training for Blood Cancer Research (J. Gishbaugher)

Ÿ   Approved continuation of the Annual Little Beaver Horse Show

Ÿ   Approved  $1,000 donation to the Darlington Historical Society

Ÿ   Approved purchase of eye exam and eyeglasses for needy person

Ÿ   Approved, retroactive to 1 July ’08, designation of profits from the Lions Marquis to the Administrative Account

Best Wishes To Lion McClain.

We send our best wishes for a speedy recovery to Lion Dennis McClain.

 Editor’s Notes

Again, the usual “To Do’s:”

·  Make your CSF II pledge or payment

Ÿ   Pay your dues... If you have not yet paid, please submit your check (“Little Beaver Lions”) to Mark Carter, 1209 SR 0168, Darlington, PA 16115).

            As of 30 January 2009

þ      37 Lions (66%) are covered for the entire fiscal year (1 July ’08-30 June ’09)

þ      5 Lions (9%) are covered for the 1^st half-year (1 July-31 Dec. ’08)

þ      14 Lions (25%) have yet to pay anything

Notes:

Ÿ         If your dues are due, there is an invoice attached to this newsletter.

Ÿ         Please pay—our Administrative Fund is much too low!

February Service Anniversaries

Happy Birthday February Lions!

Wish Happy Birthday to these Lions!

Lion Tim Davis—Back in Action?

Lion Tim, we’d like to see you at one of our February meetings 12^th & 26^th.  Hope to see you there!

Condolences

We extend our deepest sympathies to Lion Paul Mulig on the passing of his brother. 

Thank You’s

Ÿ   From Lion Thayer for his hospital flowers

Ÿ   From the Red Cross for our blood drive service project and our $100 donation.

Contact Changes

Ÿ   Dave O’Neill

3682 Constitution Blvd. 

Darlington, Pa. 16115 

724-651-3170

Future Dates

February

Å     12 Feb.—Club Meeting (Lance’s)

Å     24 Feb.—“Prospect” Information Meeting (Lance’s)

Å     26 Feb.— Club Meeting (Lance’s)

March

Å     12 Mar.—Club Meeting (Lance’s) [Officer Nominations]

Å     24 Mar.—“Prospect” Information Meeting (Lance’s)

Å     26 Mar.— Club Meeting (Lance’s) [Officer Nominations]

Å     28 Mar.—Highway Cleanup (tentative)

April

Å     12 Apr.—Easter Sunday

Å     16 Apr.—Club Meeting (Lance’s)

Å     23-26 Apr.—Beacon Lodge Work Weekend

(Note: Due to Easter, there will be only one meeting in April.)

Meeting Locations

·        September thru May—Lance's

Ÿ        June thru August—Lions Pavilion

50-50 Kitty: $295

The winner’s portion of our 50-50 meeting raffle has grown to $295. The odds have decreased to 1 in 19 cards (of drawing the King of Hearts and winning the $295 Kitty).