During the weekend of March 10th and 11th of 2017, the Lions MD27 D1 District had their annual convention. It is where everyone meets and gets to see their fellow Lions, Lionesses and Leos members, rejoice in their choice of being a member and learn about what their district has to offer. My father, Lion Eric Holthaus, is District Governor this year and held the position proudly. Through him, I have been taught to serve proudly, stand up for what is right and always have a good laugh—even if it is at your own expense. Through Lions Club, I have been taught so much of honor, respect and gratitude. Lionism will always be a part of my life as ‘We Serve’.
At the MD27 D1 convention, I made the decision to ask my fellow Lions, Lionesses and Leos, “What was your most memorable service project?” I received a variety of fond memories as I asked over 100 people, for the 100th anniversary of International Lions Club—the nonprofit organization which serves the deaf, blind, those with diabetes and other disabilities. Here are some of the replies I received:
1. Helping those in need!
Every Lion knows the best part of Lionism is when we help those in need. Some of the people I surveyed responded to the question with their best service project being able to help those with disabilities. One person states her most memorable service project was donating a lift to a mother whose paralyzed adult son needed to be moved by her otherwise. Others have helped build wheelchair ramps for children and the elderly, as well as cleaning them. There were those who helped the blind specifically. One person remembered helping a man who could barely see sort his mail. She went to her club and asked to help him read; they donated to him a large magnification device to use for the rest of his life—now the club uses it to help countless of other people. Another club member reminisced of a time when they donated a Braille reader to a nine-year-old born without eyes; now, he is in college and succeeding in his goals. There are many other Lions, Lionesses and Leos who feel the satisfaction through helping the communities’ elderly and disabled with yard work and shoveling. Many Lions Clubs give scholarships to high schoolers going off to college. We help where we can and when we can.
2. Serving the community with food!
One of the favorite service projects is feeding the community with Pancake Breakfasts—who does not love a good breakfast with the ones you love! Some love helping at concession stands for county fairs or sports events. One of the Lions told me of a time when he worked a concession stand, and a little boy gave him a nickel for a tip. A few of the most notable foods served was pork sandwiches and hand-tossed cheese curds (YUM!). There are some who enjoyed serving burgers at a steak and lobster feed as well. Some have special suppers, such as the Sunshine Supper I was told about by a few of the members. One member queued me into a special parade treat they give the children—carrots for eye health. Food For Kids came into play as a club donated to the program to help the community. Another club helped by packing food for Feed My Starving Children. A Lion discussed how their club did a picnic for the blind, and he remembered the happy faces of those who participated. Either through fundraising or service, the Lions serve to help the community without asking for anything back.
3. Referring the lost!
The most responding answer to the most memorable service project was helping those who cannot see. Many of the district Lions take pride in helping the Wisconsin Lions Eye Bank with various tasks of transporting corneas and eye tissue, checking corneas at the eye bank, collecting eye glasses and just being part of the process. LCIF—Lions Club International Foundation—also has a care project which a member recounted. Others told me of their involvement with vision screening and the importance they felt. One couple of Lions told me of a Latino health fair where 90 percent who attended needed to be referred! These Lions have served anyone from children to the elderly. Some even take the chance to go on missions to Peru, Mexico, Nicaragua, Ecuador and Honduras. There is a great group whom we cannot forget—Leader Dog. The people who are involved with Leader Dog give a blind person a dog who can guide him around. Lionism has reached far and wide, and we are ready to serve when we can.
4. Creating a safe haven!
One of the best parts we have in Wisconsin Lions is the Wisconsin Lions Camp up near Steven’s Point/Rosholt, WI. I remember going up to watch my grandpa pull tractors for the hay ride during their open house in Augusts. Lions Camp is an excellent camp for kids with disabilities to go to once a year for a week. Many members have special memories to look back on with the campers. One member recounted a time when a blind camper was slower than the others and had fallen behind; he called for help, and the Lions were there to help guide him back. Some even have family members attend, like a Lion’s niece who has juvenile diabetes and attends the camp. He gets to hear about it whenever the holidays come around. Many were fortunate to take pride and help the campers enjoy their time. Lions Pride even donated money for a week’s worth of camp. Another place of sanctuary we have in the state of Wisconsin is the Hope Transplant House where families can stay as their loved ones are in the hospital. Many take pride in helping to restore the house and taking care of those who enter those doors. Some are Lions themselves, and it feels like family every time.
5. Stepping up to the plate!
Many clubs do more in the community than some citizens know. We try and serve whichever way we can. A group of Leos told me of their adventures during highway clean up; they found some things such as cake which someone decided they no longer wanted. The Leos also sold carnations for Valentine’s Day and made passes for fundraising. A Leos Club did a teeter-tottering marathon which was another fundraiser for the club. One Lions member let me know he took pride in his club fundraising for no cost; one of the fundraisers held was Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. In this walk, the women would wear sneakers and the men would wear rented out, red high heels. He claimed he has permanent scars from participating. Some Lions Clubs work on park shelters and cleaning up parks. One club is renovating their beach house which they built many years ago. There is a member who told me about their club setting up a flea market. The clubs try and do some things for Veteran’s Day such as a program. Many recounted times they helped save up for hospitals; there was a club member who took pride of the fact his club could donate $2500 to the hospital. Another member loved making bags and putting supplies in there for the children’s hospital; a Lioness Club donates teddy bears as well to the children and the families. Some club members liked making sure the Lions' logos are on water fountains. They love doing things for the kids like Easter egg hunts, Haunted Acres—a trail during Halloween designed for fun and scares—and Stuffing the Bus which is where we receive donations of school supplies to give to kids who may not have the accessibility. During the holidays, the clubs find special stocking gifts for kids as well as the elderly. Some clubs got involved with donating to local Toys-for-Tots. The joy of seeing people’s faces is rewarding enough.
6. Expanding and being responsible in the clubs!
Some step up locally in their clubs and community by becoming officers in the district. A Lion lets me know the pride he felt for becoming district treasurer. He stepped up to the plate and has rooted the budget, just as many others have done in their own club. Another Lion took pride in becoming the director of the Wisconsin Lions Camp. Some have told me their pride of starting a Leos Club. They moved young people to become active and serve; some of the members chose to move on and start a college club as well. Sometimes, just being the backbone of the organization is necessary as well.
7. Go up and beyond in the community!
There are some in the Lions Club who cannot serve enough. They help in other organizations of service. Some know of their service through Boy Scouts of America. My brother, who is a Lions Member as well, was also an Eagle Scout. My dad helped him in the Boy Scouts and recounted a time they went up to Minnesota boundary waters and helped create 10 new trails. Another Lion tells me of a mission he traveled to through his church; they built a house for people who could not afford one. Some recounted helping at a Special Olympics Event. I have been to one, and have seen the dedication of the volunteers and the champions themselves. A Lion told me how their club volunteered for Blackhawk Pioneers where there was food served, bingo and card games. Many of our members know it does not matter how, as long as we make a person smile.
8. We stand together!
One member reminisced their club giving a Melvin Jones to another who was dying of cancer. Through acts such as this one, we know the club is like a family. We love getting together and hanging out at events as the District Bowling Tournament, Blues Fest and banquets. We celebrate, mourn and love together. It takes a team to serve the community. The Lions hope to help by visiting those who are missed and supporting those in need. We work to do what is right.
