Scottsboro Lions Club celebrates 75th anniversary

The
Al abama lion
The Alabama Lion is published
for Alabama Lions Sight
Conservation Association, Inc.
700 S. 18th Street
Birmingham, AL 35233
INSIDE
Visions
Message from
the director
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2
District 34-A
From the desk
of Glenda Moxley
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3
District 34-B
In and Around the
District
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4
District 34-C
In and Around the
District
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5
SDES and children
with diabetes say
“thank you!”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6
34-B Cabinet Meeting
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7
Alabama Lions Band,
a tremendous Youth,
Leadership experience
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8
A newsletter for members of Alabama Lions Clubs
November 2013
Scottsboro Lions Club celebrates 75th anniversary
The Scottsboro Lions
Club celebrated their 75th
anniversary with a special
dinner on September 24,
2103. The club was chartered
on August 12, 1938 and over
the 75 year history, it has: (1)
purchased eyeglasses and
exams for the needy in excess
of $200,000, (2) supported local
Christmas Charities for the
needy in excess of $200,000,
(3) supported ALSCA with
$50,000 of donations, (4)
provided $50,000 in high school
scholarships and (5) many other
local needs.
Noted guests included
Glenda
Moxley,
District
Governor, Ron Seybold, Council
Chairperson and Vernon
Barker, PCC. Also, Tom Bragg,
the 50th club president and Jake
Word, the 25th club president
were recognized. Bob Word,
son of the charter president,
Robert Word, gave some
notable comments regarding
the history of the club. Three
local businesses: Unclaimed
Baggage Center, Hammer’s
Department Store and Piggly
Wiggly were given Certificates of
Appreciation for their help with
the Scottsboro Lion’s activities.
The keynote speaker
was Lowell Bonds, PID, who
delivered an inspired message
of the History of Lionism, our
challenge from Helen Keller, to
be Knights of the Blind. He
also detailed the importance of
Alabama in Lion’s history and
the fact that 4 international
presidents have been from
Alabama. And, in conclusion,
he challenged the club to
“follow our dream."
Scottsboro Lions President
Ted Crona, left, thanks Past
Lions International Director
(PID) Lowell Bonds, right, for
his remarks as the featured
speaker at the Scottsboro Lions
75th anniversary dinner. PID
Bonds has been a member of
the Birmingham Lions Club since
1973 and has had a distinguished
career of service to the Lions.
The Lions were organized by
founder Melvin Jones in Chicago
in 1917 with a purpose to serve
the community and came to
Alabama in 1921. In 1925 Helen
Keller inspired the Lions to focus
on sight and to be Knights
of the Blind. The Scottsboro Club
was first chartered
on August 12, 1938 with Robert
Word, Sr serving as the first
President with 16 other charter
members. Alabama has had more
Lions International Presidents
than any other state – 4.
mark your calendars!
• November is National Diabetes Month
• December is Relieving the Hunger Global Services Action Campaign
• State Convention May 16-18….Oxford
diabetes tidbits
November is National Diabetes Month
Diabetes is one of the most prevalent
chronic diseases, affecting approximately 25.6
MILLION U.S. adults. Particularly alarming is
the fact that one out of four people who have
diabetes are not yet aware they have the
disease. In its advanced stages, diabetes can
increase the risk of other conditions such as
heart disease stroke, hypertension,blindness
or eye problems, kidney disease and nervous
system damage.
Increasing your awareness of symptoms,
treatment and lifestyle changes can have
a positive impact on helping reduce the
negative effects associated with diabetes.
MD 34 Diabetes committee
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT #77
MONTGOMERY, AL
visions
Message from the director
“You may never know the results
of your actions, but if you do nothing,
there will be no results.”
— Gandhi
is your unselfish act of “doing something” that has set off a chain of
events that will have a positive and
rippling effect on many, many lives!
This month we are starting a
new feature highlighting outstanding charter members from throughout Alabama. Our first Lion will be
Lion Raymond Groat from the Fort
Payne Lions Club. I had the privilege
to meet Lion Groat during my visit
to his club on October 8 which also
happened to be his 89th birthday.
The Fort Payne Lions Club was chartered in 1948 and Lion Groat is one
of two charter members still active in
September was a busy month
at Alabama Lions Sight! I had the
privilege to visit six outstanding Lions
Clubs throughout Alabama to bring
them up to date on all of the great
things we have going on at your association. We saw 367 patients at the
Lions Eye Clinic through the end of
September and to date we have seen
over 3616 fellow Alabamians in need
of eye care. Every Lion in Alabama
should be proud that through their
financial support Alabama Lions
Sight is able to give the gift of sight
to so many.
Gandhi’s quote reminds us,
you may never personally know the
Lion Raymond J. Groat was
people you help through your con- born in Melvin, Michigan on Octotributions, support and prayers, but it ber 8, 1924. He was the next to
the youngest of the seven children
of Orval and Blanche Groat. His
Patients seen in
father, Orval, was a mason, carpenthe Lions Eye Clinic ter, brick layer and bridge builder.
Orval even designed and built a
• 3716 patients seen
travel trailer in the early 1930’s and
sold them in the Michigan area.
year-to-date
Raymond’s ancestors were the first
• 367 were in the month
non-Native American settlers in
of September
Sanilac County Michigan. In the
early 1920’s construction work
began to slow down and the family
decided to travel to California seeking work during the Michigan winter months. When Raymond was
approximately one year old in 1925,
his mother, father, brothers and sisJay Glover, ters along with other family members loaded up two Model T Ford
M.D.
cars and a Ford truck and headed
Bio: Born
west. There were no paved roads
and raised in
or motels. The family would camp
Little
Rock,
out on the way and hunt wild game
Arkansas.
to eat. Raymond’s mother said
Schools :
“You try it with a baby and eight
Went to the
to cook for in a tent. We camped
University of
at Flagstaff, Arizona and rented a
Arkansas at
cabin with temperatures around 10
Fayetteville for
degrees. The next morning we had
college and
to take the blankets off the kids who
University of Arkansas for Mediwere covered with snow. You don’t
cal Sciences for medical school.
know what you can do until you
Moved to Birmingham, AL for resihave to.” The family made several
dency.
other trips to California and back
Family: Met my future wife
to Michigan working as a complete
during my internship and wasfamily.
married in September. Hobbies
The year Raymond turned 11
include golf, tennis, basketball,
years old in 1935 his father was
street hockey, hunting, and fishing.
killed in a tragic truck accident.
After his father’s death the older
Each month the Lions Club children had to help take care of
the family. Raymond had already
will introduce a doctor.
the club. The other Charter member
is Lion Dr. R.A. Igou who will be featured next month.
I had the privilege to sit with
Lion Groat during my visit and was
struck but his great since of humor
and love of Lionism these past 65
years! Lion Raymond is a true gentleman and I think you will enjoy his
story.
One of the great privileges I
have while traveling throughout Alabama is meeting charter and long
serving Lions like Lions Raymond
and Igou. Watching their eyes light
up while recounting their stories of
“the old days” in Alabama Lions is
fascinating and truly inspiring.
I hope you enjoy this new feature. If you have a charter or long
serving member in your club that
you would like to see highlighted in
the Alabama Lion please email or
call me with their story.
Remember, I would like to visit
your club and bring everyone up
to date on the many great things
going on at your association. Call
me at 334-306-4904 to schedule a
visit today.
Yours in Service,
Lion Durden
Durden Dean
Lion Groat joined Fort Payne Lions Club in 1948, still active
Meet our
Doctors
ALSCA Executive Director Durden Dean
with Lion Raymond Groat.
started working on house building projects carrying bricks, hauling roofing and handling tools.
He continued to learn carpentry,
bricklaying, masonry, electrical and
plumbing skills. He had a profound
faith experience and was baptized
in Lake Huron and saved at age 13
at the Melvin Baptist Church. By
the time he entered high school
in Yale, Michigan where the family had moved, he could operate a
variety of farm equipment, trucks
and bulldozers as well as perform
mechanic work on all types of
motors and engines.
When the attack on Pearl Harbor happened on December 7, 1941
Raymond was a 17 year old junior
at Yale High School. After the first
of the year of 1942, Raymond enlist-
— Page 2 —
ed in the newly formed US Navy
Construction Battalion known as
the Seebees. After his basic training, Raymond reported to the 36th
Naval Construction Battalion in
Bradford, Virginia and then was
sent to his debarkation center in
Hueneme, California. On a ship
passing under the Golden Gate
Bridge, bound for the South Pacific
theatre, Raymond experienced his
first bout of sea sickness. His unit
served in the Russell Islands, Espirita Santo, Bougainville, Saipan and
Okinawa, among other locations
where they built roads, air strips,
bridges, and buildings. Very often
Raymond’s battalion had to fight
the enemy and endure almost constant shelling while doing their construction jobs. After having their
boiler repaired at Pearl Harbor in
1943, the battalion shipped out for
12 days only to have the boiler blow
up again leaving the ship adrift. For
14 days the ship drifted with constant threat of a torpedo attack and
had almost no food for the crew. A
tug boat finally rescued the ship.
While serving in the US Navy, Raymond, was awarded the American
Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific
Campaign Medal, Good Conduct
Medal, 3 Bronze Stars, and the
World War Service Medal.
After the war in 1946, Raymond moved to Fort Payne, Alabama to work with his brother. Marshall had relocated there to start a
lumber manufacturing plant in the
summer of 1945 to make crates to
ship jeeps for the war effort. It later
became Kingsberry Homes. After
a few weeks in Fort Payne, Raymond met Doris White and after
three weeks they were married.
Raymond and Doris had two children, Ann and Winston. Raymond
worked for 12 years for his fatherin law Ben White in a car dealership and farm implement business.
After Ben’s death in 1957, Raymond
started his own business – Raymond’s Auto Parts selling all types
of auto and hydraulic parts.
Raymond joined the Fort
Payne Lions Club as a charter
member on January 6, 1948. He
has participated in many Lion projects over the years and is still active
in the Annual Book Sale, Bar-BQue Chicken Sale, Boom Days Festival and many other Lions Club
Projects. In 2011 Raymond was
selected Lion of the Year by the Fort
Payne Lions Club.
District 34-A
DG
Glenda
Moxley
from the desk
of Glenda Moxley
From left, 1st VDG Jerry Caudle, DG Glenda Moxley, President of the Cullman
Lions Club Lion Frank O’Dell
Pictured, from left, are guest Terry Richey, Lion Dilmus
Richey, guest Joe Vincent and Lion Jeff Smith. Terry is the
son of Lion Dilmus. He and Joe were special dinner guest of
Lion Dilmus and Lion Jeff, in appreciation of the use
of the parking lot at Marvin’s, Cullman store for a fundraiser
for Cullman Caring for Kids Foodbank, during
the 2013 “Rock the South” concert.
This first quarter as been filled with
club visits and paperwork. I have enjoyed
the many clubs and I have been amazed
at the wonderful work that is going on in
all of our clubs. Never underestimate the
value of what your home club is doing. Our
state would be poorer, indeed, if not for our
industrious and energetic Lions. Special
thanks go to our committees, clubs, and to
our own Jerome Thompson for the efforts
that resulted in District 34-A’s membership
growth award presented by International
President Barry Palmer. Please keep up the
good work so that our district shows positive growth for all four quarters.
Lion Robert Moxley
DG Glenda Moxley receiving gift from Lion Frank O’Dell
and the Cullman Lions Club.
I would like to stress how important it
is for membership dues to be paid promptly. A couple of clubs have gone on status quo because dues were not paid. This
results in a lot of extra work to get clubs
reinstated. Also, look at people who attend
functions you attend and invite them to
become Lions. The more working Lions we
have, the more people we can help.
Lastly, I would like to apologize for not
having anything on our District 34-A page
for the state paper. Evidently there was a
computer glitch. I will see that that doesn’t
happen in the future. Thanks for all you do
to make 34-A a great district.
Lion Keith Barksdale, Charter member of the Altoona
Walnut Grove West End Lions Club received
his 25 year membership pin.
Members of the Cullman Lions Club
— Page 3 —
District 34-B
DG
Jim
Crews
DISTRICT 34-B
(“B”
representing….
THE BEST TEAM)
LOOKING AT SOME
FACTS and FIGURES
The last Club Health Assessment
Report through September told us
that our total member count was
1,001…up from 998 the prior month.
However, down from 1,045…twelve
(12) months ago. We added YTD
41 members…Dropped YTD 60
members...resulting in YTD Net
Growth of -19. (One club dropped
9 members in August and another
10 in September who likely should
have been dropped over several
months as they left...rather than
over two months). This brings me
to remind Club Secretaries that it is
very important to submit their MMR
(Monthly Membership Report) each
month…even when there is “No
Change” in membership. Some
Club Secretaries “faithfully” submit
that MMR each and every month...
and I thank you for a Job Well Done!!
We began July 2013 with 50
Clubs…as of now we are in the midst
of losing Alexander City Colonial
due to their merging with Alexander
City. We are losing Auburn War
Eagle with most of them going to
Auburn or Opelika and lastly Marion
with them calling it quits and simply
disbanding.
On the Positive side we added
a Branch Club in Helena last month
thanks primarily to the efforts of PCC
Melvin Murphree, District 34-B GMT.
We plan to add more members until
it becomes a Club to be chartered.
Let’s think about increasing
membership and clubs on a small
scale:
We have 47 Clubs at this time…
if each club recruited one (1) new
member before October 31st…we
would have 47 new members...our
total member count would increase
from 1,001 to 1,048….an increase of
4.7%.
One more new member in
November per club…47 members
plus 1,048…new total of 1,095.
One more new member
in December per club… 47 new
members plus 1,095…new total of
1,142.
The above assumes no
members leaving and the result
on December 31st would be an
increase of 141 members in three (3)
months….an increase of over 14%
with 1,142 members.
THINK ABOUT IT!!!!!
Your District Governor
Jim Crews
DG Jim Crews and ZC Cindy Ducker had a great visit
with Club Secretary John Woodham and members of the
Greensboro Lions Club. This club is very active and makes
one proud that they represent Lions Clubs so well in serving
their community. From left, areMickey Harrow, Treasurer Bill
Jones, Steve Kirk, DG Jim Crews, Rev. Josh Carmichael,
ZC Cindy Criswell Ducker, Secretary John Woodham.
Present - but not pictured: John Ryan
From left, Lion Benny Hicks, Club Secretary Bill May,
Club President Jeffery Bacon and DG Jim Crews…
(Not Pictured PCC Melvin Murphree)
NEW BRANCH CLUB IN HELENA - Meet some members of our new
Branch Club in Helena. This is a growing community of Birmingham
and we are excited and anxious to watch it grow in membership and
begin serving its residents with Lions Clubs services.
From left, John Woodham, DG Jim Crews, Bill Jones
and Steve Kirk
The Lions Park in Greensboro - Of all things...The Greensboro
Lions provide their community with a fabulous park near the middle of
town. It is so neat that if you are ever driving through the area...be sure
to take a few minutes to see the grounds and neat equipment provided
for all to enjoy. Note: The gate behind them spells “L-I-O-N-S”
From left, PCC
and Club VP
Vernon Barker
of Moody Lions,
Bobbie Floyd,
RN for Foreign
Missions and
Club VP,
Bob Logan of
Pelham Lions
MISSION LADY RECEIVES EYEGLASSES
FOR KENYA MEDICAL MISSION TRIP
The eyeglass Recycling Center in Moody provided over 500 pairs of
glasses for mission trip to Kenya. The expression of appreciation received
from Bobbie Floyd was awesome. She wrote “Thank you for your interest
in helping to provide sight through your donation of eyeglasses. As you
probably know there are many visual defects in Kenya. We are especially
visiting the Maasi Tribe.” It was learned later after speaking with the lead
doctor that reading glasses from strengths +1.00 thru +2.50 are greatly
needed for the adults. There is also a need for sunglasses to help shield
from the sun. In addition, magnifying glasses are needed.The service Lions
provide through the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center of Moody, AL reaches
people ALL OVER THE WORLD.
— Page 4 —
The Warrior Lions Club held a vision screening on 09/21/13
at the Cross Roads Baptist Church. Shown from left, are
Lion Jerry Bennett, Lion Reba Winnett, Lion Morris Winnett,
Barbara Bennett and Vision Screener from the Prattville Club
Lion Linda McCullough.
Lion Vernon Barker and Lion Hershel Coleman, right,
help a student with a part of the eye exam.
For more 34-B, see page 7
District
34-C
In and Around the District
DG
Ron
Mitchell
District
Conference
and
Training Meeting
Saturday, November 16, 2013 is the date for the
Alabama Lions District Conference and Training
Meeting. The location is the First Baptist Church, 212
Fort Dale Street, Greenville, AL 36037. Time: 10 am to
3 pm.
This event will feature program speakers that will
inform and entertain you.
For complete agenda visit: www.alabamalions34c.
org
Senor and Senorita
lets go to beautiful MEXICO
PID Yamandu Acosta will guide you through one
of the most exciting Lions Mission Trips you will
ever take in February 2014. The destination is Puerto
Vallarta, Mexico. Puerto Vallarta is a resort city situated
on the Pacific Ocean. Puerto Vallarta’s population is
255,725 making it the second largest city in the state of
Jalisco. The mission is to examine the eyes of about 2000
needy people and fit them with glasses we have collected
over the past year. Some will also need surgery, which
will be arranged. Don’t miss the presentation.
Children’s Diabetes Camps
Lion Ronda McDavid, Executive Director of
Southeastern Diabetes Education Service (Camp
Seale Harris) will tell about one of the most rewarding
experiences any Lions can have by serving as a volunteer
at one of the many Children’s Diabetes camps, which is
supported by our Lions Club donations. Many people
discover why they are a Lion while serving these diabetic
campers. Lions Ronda’s presentation will make you
want to tell your friend what Lions do.
One of the most important jobs
in the world of Lions
MD34 GMT H. Jerome Thompson has developed
a statewide membership campaign to help all clubs
increase membership; plus organizing new Lions
Clubs. Lion Jerome brings a lot of energy and fun to his
presentation and leaves us with new enthusiasm and a
plan that will work. In addition, if you need help we have
eager Lions to guide you along the way to improving
your club and your community. Alabama can lead this
nation in club growth and organizing new club with this
plan. He will energize you and you can energize your
club with these ideas that are proven to work.
TRAINING CLASSES
• SERVICE Projects - PDG Dec McCelland
• Zone Chairperson Training - 1VDG Glen Elmore
• New Member Orientation - DG Ron Mitchell
• Club Excellence Process Workshop - 2VDG Dora
Hartsock
• District Wide Membership Campaign - GMT Mary
Turner
INFORMATION YOU CAN USE BY PEOPLE YOU
TRUST
THANK YOU
Greenville Lions Club; Thank you for your help with
this Conference/Training/Cabinet Meeting. President
Tommy Ryan.
TILLMAN’S CORNER LIONS CLUB
As I mentioned last month, we are working hard to
organize a new Tillman’s Corner Lions Club. Sunday,
September 29, 2013 we had the Extension Workshop
conducted by PCC Carl Harrell. Monday morning we
hit the streets of Tillman’s Corner canvassing for new
members. I want to thank those that attended the
Extension Workshop and did the canvassing; PCC Carl
Harrell, PDG Richard Smith, PDG Mary Turner, CT
Gloria Gorden, PDG Felice Lomangino, Lion Arthur
Johnson, Lion Doyle Patrick and PDG Gus Gary. By the
time you read this the Charter Night will be set. Please
consider attending Charter Night and making a donation
to the new club for the purchase of a Lions banner, gavel
and other charter night expenses.
At a recent meeting of the Enterprise Lions Club,
Bob Cooper, right, presented a plaque of
appreciation from the Vietnam Veterans
Association State Council and Chapter 373 to
Ron Jones, owner of Po’ Folks Restaurant in
Enterprise, In making the presentation, Cooper
noted that Jones served two tours of duty in
Vietnam and continues to assist veterans and
civic groups in Enterprise area.
Ron K. Mitchell
[email protected]
Cell phone: 251-591-6872
Office Fax: 251-679-4381
Web site: http://www.alabamalions34c.org
Extending the Gift of Service
PDG Bob Lovelace often refers to chartering
clubs as “Extending the Gift of Service”. Service is
the life blood of the Lions. Therefore, giving others
the opportunity to work hand in hand with us is a gift
which not only benefits the new member, but also,
the community in which he/she serves. Each of us
takes pride in seeing the product that is produced
when we seek to serve others.
If you have family or friends in any of the following communities, please ask them to join the following extension or rebuilding efforts:
Dothan – New Club forming to meet the needs
of the community. Contact PDG Julia Pacheco,
PDG Gus Pacheco, PID Yamandu Acosta or DG Ron
Mitchel.
Tillman’s Corner (Near Mobile) – New club
forming to meet the needs of the community. Con
tact DG Ron Mitchell or PDG Mary Turner.
Tuscaloosa – New Club forming to meet the
needs of the community. Contact ZC Kathy Mason,
DG Jim Crews or PID Yamandu Acosta
Auburn War Eagle – Club rebuilding to better meet the needs of the community. Contact DG
Jim Crews, PDG Judy Prichett
— Page 5 —
Three Geneva High School students that
participated in the Alabama High School Youth
Leadership Forum were guests at the regular
meeting of the Geneva Lions Club on Monday.
Seniors Garrett Creech and Ashleigh Cartwright
and junior Ta’Shara Martinestz gave club
members a look at the annual forum that was
held at Troy university June 21-23, 2013.
Thanksgiving
for sight saved from children with diabetes!
As we head into a season of thankfulness,
Southeastern Diabetes Education Services
(SDES) and children with diabetes say
“thank you” to all the individual Lions Clubs
and individual Lions that personally give
and volunteer to make diabetes camp and
community programs possible!
Camp Seale Harris has grown to over
8 locations where children and families
learn and are encouraged in overnight
camps, day camps, and family programs.
Over 30 separate camps or program events
are conducted annually serving over 1500
participants. Many Lions Clubs and Lion
volunteers have joined over 375 volunteers
at programs, and the over 800 separate
donors and organizations that provide the
funding for the programs. Your club’s giving
is noticed and appreciated in our programs
throughout the state!
New Faces and New Programs in
Montgomery and North Alabama!
SDES now has three employees:
Rhonda McDavid – Executive Director,
Laura Elliott - Outreach & Programs Director,
and Becky Seitel-Programs Assistant.
Laura became our Outreach and Programs
Director in April of this year with over 25
years of camp and program management
experience. She serves as the volunteer
American Camping Association Standards
Chair for Alabama. Laura manages SDES
programs operations, volunteers, and
service development. Laura is on the road
throughout our state and NW Florida at our
over 70 days of programming, and enjoys
visiting Lions Clubs to share photos and
stories from camp of how your club’s efforts
save children. Becky Seitel joined SDES
in January as Programs Assistant. Becky’s
with experience in marketing, finance and
graphic design serving her well in overseeing
all camper registrations (over 600 per year),
participant communication, and payments
and donations. Contact either at our office
at 205-402-0415.
Lions help in the now year-round SDES
programs where children learn to manage
their diabetes, and maintain their precious
eyesight. Programs in every area of the
state provide clubs with opportunities for
volunteerism and sponsorship of children.
Many have been critically generous in
sponsoring children outside their local area
to attend camp. The poorest counties in
our state have no active Lions Clubs. They
DO have children with diabetes. Giving
Alabama Lions Clubs help these children to
get the critical diabetes education that saves
their sight . . . and their lives!
The first Camp Seale Harris Teen
Leadership Weekend launches in February
2014 on Lake Jordan. This peer-led adventure
to help teens learn tools for effective
leadership prepares teens for becoming
Counselors-In-Training. SDES welcomes
Thank you, Lions and all our supporters.
participation from the Montgomery River
Regions Area Lions Clubs including a
session on growing in service, Leo clubs,
and becoming a Lion’s Club member in
college or beyond. Teens with diabetes
being active in their communities and giving
back partners perfectly with Lion Club goals
and prepares potential new Leo and Lion
Club members to join their own area clubs.
Also new for July 2014 is a Camp Seale
Harris North Alabama Summer Family
Weekend Camp. Clubs in these areas are
invited to be involved.
Your Club Donations Make A Big
Difference
Our camper parents were surveyed to
share results of their child’s participation,
and this year 100% of parents said their child
increased improved skill in critical diabetes
care areas such as: testing blood sugar,
injecting insulin, treating high and low
blood sugars, and managing their insulin
pump. These are the skills that save sight
and reduce other devastating complications.
We asked, “What excites you most about
Camp Seale Harris?” answers from grateful
parents:
“It’s the one week out of the year that
my teenage son is completely surrounded by
other diabetic teens. I believe the bonding
and relating among the kids goes a long way
even after camp is over. The teen years are
some of the toughest. Throw in diabetes, and
it makes it even tougher. Camp gives my son
support, information, and encouragement
that I truly believe benefits him all year long.”
“Working with the doctor’s and other
nurses to help parents and kids understand
the importance of healthy living and
controlling diabetes on a daily basis.”
“My child doesn’t have to feel alone or
different.”
“My daughter gets to just be a kid
for once and enjoy herself and learn
about her diabetes and how to take better
care of herself in a fun and educational
environment and that she gets to be around
other children and adults that understand
what she goes through on a daily basis with
her diabetes.”
“After the first day of day camp my son
came home giving himself his own shots,
after I had tried to get him to do for the past
year and half. Just that alone made camp
worth it for me and the fact he enjoyed going
every day was just a bonus.”
“The fact that everyone is the same.
My daughter is typically pulled away from
activities in order to check blood sugar, and
her friends normally run off and leave her.
Not at Camp Seale Harris!”
“The confidence he came back with!
Being around other kids who are dealing with
the same fears, frustrations, and changes as
him seemed to break down a barrier he
had put around himself since his diagnosis.
Now he is comfortable with talking about
his diabetes and is more confident in the
daily routine of managing his diabetes. It
was amazing . . . after just one week!! I am
very thankful . . . to every single person who
is involved.”
Your Support is Appreciated!
EVERY camper family receives a
minimum 30% sponsorship of the cost of their
child’s program and 80% of campers served
this year needed additional scholarships.
Lions can rest assured that every donation
has an enormous impact on a child, and
gives hope to an entire family. Our funding
and administrative costs are below 12%
annually, allowing us to spend every dollar
given to effectively serve local children. We
are thankful for the 55 Lions Clubs who have
sponsored children this year! If your club
is not yet sponsoring a child or community
program, please contact me for information
on involving your members in helping kids
— Page 6 —
with diabetes. Families are contacting
us now about available sponsorships for
2014 camps. We project requests for over
$375,000 in sponsorships, scholarships, and
community programs costs. Every club and
every individual Lion makes a difference
in the number of children served. Please
consider including SDES in your club’s
charity budget for the 2014 Camp Seale
Harris program year now. Thank you!
Upcoming Events and Programs
Community Programs (added monthly)
11/03/12 – SDES Mobile Fall Family Skate
Day
11/16/12 – SDES Sugar Falls River Region
Family Day Camp
01/25 – SDES Auburn Family Day at Health
Plus Fitness
04/05 – Family Picnic/Open House at
Coastal Camp Seale Harris
2014 Camps
Family Camps - $750 Sponsorships
7/18-20 – Camp Seale Harris Summer Family
Camp
9/14 – Sugar Falls Onboard
10/24-26 – Camp Seale Harris Fall Family
Camp
Children’s’ Overnight Camps - $1200
Sponsorships
2/21-23 - Camp Seale Harris Teen Leadership
6/1-6 - Camp Seale Harris Senior Week
6/8-18 Camp Seale Harris Junior Week
7/28 – 8/1 – Coastal Camp Seale Harris
Sugar Falls Day Camps - $500 Sponsorships
6/23-26 – Dothan
7/7-10 – Tuscaloosa
7/7-10 – North Alabama
7/28-31 – Birmingham
7/28-31 – Mobile
Your Fellow Lion,
Rhonda McDavid
Executive Director, SDES
[email protected]
34-B
CABINET MEETING
Continued from page 4
From left, Lion Frank Plaster (Sponsored New members James Shannon and Donald
Patterson) - DG Jim - Dan Nixon (new member) - sponsored by Membership Chair Tommy
Rainwater -Club President John Pirtle.
PDG Judy Pritchett received a Certificate of Appreciation
from
PIP Wayne Madden for Outstanding Service as District
AUTAUGAVILLE LIONS ADD THREE NEW MEMBERS - It was a real pleasure for DG Jim to induct
three (3) new members into the Autaugaville Lions a couple of weeks ago. This club is in a growing mode and Governor 34-B during 2012-2013. Presented by DG Jim Crews
continues to serve its community with various service projects and fund-raising events.
WHITE CANE
DAY
IN
PRATTVILLE
District 34-B held its Cabinet meeting in Northport on Saturday,
October 12th. PDG Judy also received from DG Jim a Lions Statue
representing a donation made to Alabama Lions Sight Conservation
Association Inc on behalf of PDG Judy in Appreciation for her service to
District 34-B during 2012-2013.
From left, Lions
Barbara Little, Karl
Wade, Alfred Cook
and George Partridge.
White Cane Day
Chairperson Linda
McCullough was
behind the camera at
the K-Mart location. - Prattville Lions Club conducted its fall edition of “White Cane Day” on Saturday, October 5th. This is an
ongoing project during the spring and fall with set up locations at K-Mart and Wal-Mart stores in Prattville. Club members are on site during this event to accept donations of used eye glasses for recycling and donations
for the Club’s sight projects. Collection boxes are also placed in various locations around the city to receive
year round donations of used eyeglasses for use by the Alabama Lions Vision Mission Project. In addition the
Club had another fundraiser project to give away a University of Alabama and an Auburn University jacket to
two lucky ticket holders who purchased chances during the project’s run.
Lion Michelle McGowen of the Moody Lions Club helps a 4th
grade student of Moody Middle School with an eye exam.
PCC Jerome Thompson,
MD-GMT, presented the
session entitled “HOW ARE
YOUR RATINGS” during
the CEP Train the Trainer
Session.
Lion Linda McCullough helps a 4th grade student of Moody
Middle School with an eye exam.
— Page 7 —
Immediately following
the CEP Train the Trainer
Session….PID Yamandu
Acosta and PCC Jerome
Thompson, MD GMT conducted a SPECIAL “NEW
CLUBS” presentation. They
provided some details of the
requirements for Lion Leaders
of 34-B to follow in order for
us to start new clubs in locations within our district. The
initial area is Tuscaloosa….
with Auburn to follow. Other
areas will be identified as
necessary going forward.
Alabama Lions Band, a tremendous Youth, Leadership experience
Fellow Lions:
The 100th anniversary of Lionism is approaching in 2017
and planning for the International Convention in Chicago is
already underway. The Alabama Lions High School All Star
Band, (the Alabama Lions Band) Committee is making plans
to send the Alabama Lions Band to this very important occasion in the history of our great Association.
Many of you may recall that the Band began with the
candidacy and subsequent term of our own PIP William (Bill)
Chandler in 1980. Since that time the Band has participated,
representing the Lions from our great Multiple District many
times. In my own experience, I have been involved in planning, raising funds for and participating with the band in
four International Convention from 1999 through 2004, in
San Diego, Denver, Indianapolis and Detroit. The Lions of
Alabama, who have attended the conventions have always
looked forward to seeing and hearing the Band in the parade
at our Breakfasts later on in the conventions program.
Lion Dr. Ted Galloway was the first Band Director of the
Lions Band, but other Band Directors have also been heavily involved throughout the years. This includes Lions Alan
Brookes, Mike Holmes, David Brewer and Chris Moore.
But the Alabama Lions Band is much, much more than
just a band representing the Lions of Alabama at the International Convention. It is also a tremendous Youth and Leadership experience.
The students selected by the Alabama Band’s Music staff
are drawn from all parts of Alabama, from Decatur to Dothan,
Mobile to Opelika, Gadsden to Tuscaloosa, and everywhere
in between. Rural high school band students join up with
big city students to meet, form lifelong friendships and learn
about Lionism. And they not only learn about Alabama Lionism, they get exposure to Lions from all across the country
and, in fact around the world. The students, many who have
never been out of the county they live in, will gain and grow
through the immediate team work from the Lions Band camp
to the Convention parade, the Southeast Breakfast, pin trading at the end of the parade and much, much more.
And to add to the benefits, several of our LEO clubs in
Alabama are a direct result of Alabama Lions Band students.
Our Lions Band represents a unique multi-faceted
opportunity for the youth who are chosen to participate.
So what can you do to help.
Band students are sponsored by
Lions Club, who contribute the cost of
sponsorship and thereby offer the opportunity to a band student from a high
school the club designates, and who the
band director of that school provides a
recommended panel of students who
matches the needs of the Alabama Band
as determined by our Band Director.
Once the student is selected and has
agreed to participate, they are invited to
join the band, participate in the band
camp, typically 2 days, leaving directly
from camp to travel to the convention.
What does a sponsorship cost? The
answer is, it is too early to get a firm cost.
So today what we need you and your club
to do is send a donation, perhaps $100-
ALSCA Executive Director Durden Dean, right, with Lion Steve Eberhart,
President of Fort Payne Lions Club.
$200, this year. We will track
every donation by club, and
if an individual donation, by
the club to which that person
belongs.
Next year we will ask for
donations again, and we will
accumulate those donations
as well for each contributing
Lions Club.
We hope by 2015 to have
a good idea of the actual sponsorship cost, and will provide
an update and a more specific
PCC Ken Vaudo
request back to the Lions of
Alabama. In the meantime, all
funds that have been contributed will be held and accounted
for club by club.
I hope you agree that the Alabama Lions Band represents a huge opportunity for the youth of Alabama. I hope
you are excited about the possibility of fielding the largest
band of ALABAMA students from our Multiple District EVER
to represent the Lions of Alabama at the 100th Anniversary
of our GREAT Association. It will take a village, the village
of ALABAMA LIONS to make this happen. The Band needs
your help and support.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to
me via email at [email protected], or call me at home
at 205.979.6371.
You may mail your donations made out to:
Alabama Lions Band to:
Alabama Lions Band
c/o PCC Ken Vaudo
3337 Shallowford Road
Birmingham, AL 35216
In Lionsim,
PCC Ken, Chairperson
Alabama Lions Band
Pictured with ALSCA Executive Director Durden Dean is Brundidge Lions
Club President Howell Skeen accepting his clubs Campaign 72-72 banner
patch and chevron. The Brundidge Lions Club was founded in 1951 and have
always been outstanding supporters of Alabama Lions Sight.
— Page 8 —