Speaker for the December 16th meeting is Sara McFee, Communications Director for the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank. As one of the largest and most innovative eye banks in the world, the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank has helped restore sight to more than 18,000 people, and the organization reaches important milestones in eyesight restoration every year.
Founded in 1960, The Minnesota Lions Eye Bank is a non-profit organization primarily funded by Minnesota Lions and affiliated with the University of Minnesota’s Department of Ophthalmology. The eye bank, the first of many partnerships between the Lions and the University of Minnesota, operates under the university and the direction of a 22-member Lions Board of Directors
Thanks to Lions Mark Thompson and Jerry Madir for their efforts in providing us with great programs!
Bloomington Lions Club Activities
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Tickets are on sale until November 30th for the 2009-10 fundraiser. Chair Lion Dick Keegan reminds members they should return tickets if they can’t sell them. There are also almost 50 tickets left to disburse. The club needs your help—Sell those tickets! For additional tickets or to turn in money or unsold tickets contact Lion Mark Thompson.
World Service Day Food Drive
Congratulations to Chair Lion Art Jensen and all the Food Drive workers for the record collection of 2110 pounds of food and $67.76 cash on Saturday, October 3rd, at Festival Foods. It took a lot of muscle to load and unload all of the bags and boxes. Both Lion Dave’s truck and Lion Jerry’s SUV were packed full to transport the food to VEAP and, when the total pounds were announced, the Lions workers roared their approval at the fantastic amount! Thanks to the following Lions who volunteered:. Tom Baer, Dick Barthel, Tom Cady, David Coates, Jerry Doffing, Art Jensen, Bill Kalina, Carol Hengel, Dick Keegan, Harry Lanenberg, Mike Larsen, Fred Lukanc, Jerry Madir, Richard Monson, Cyndy Ranzau, Mark Thompson and Dave Weisgurt. Special thanks to Lion Jerry Doffing’s daughter Jamie who collected boxes along with Lion Dave Coates to put the collected food in and son, Chris, who wore the Lion suit all day.
Children’s Christmas Party
Christmas Party plans have been adjusted due to budget constraints. Our party will now be held in conjunction with VFW Post 1296 and American Legion Post 550 at the VFW Hall on Saturday, December 19th, from 11:00-2:00. Lions members and their children and grandchildren are invited. Mr. And Mrs. Claus will be there; other activities, such as face painting, will be offered. More details available next month. Thanks to Lions Terry Selle and Carolyn Brehm for arranging this collaboration.
President’s Corner
Hello, fellow Lions. By now Halloween has passed and I hope every one had a safe, if not frightening, time. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. Maybe it’s one more reason to act silly, but still fun. BOO.
I wish every one a joyful Thanksgiving, Take a minute and really think about all we have to be thankful for. We have so much and are so blessed.
On October 22nd my grandson Quenten suffered a head injury that resulted in a concussion and a fracture of the bone under the left eye. He was transported from Mora to Cambridge and finally wound up at the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital. He was treated and released to come back Monday the 26Th for further evaluation after the swelling went down. On Monday, it was determined that he indeed needed surgery. He had out patient surgery and was home that night. I had the opportunity to talk to the head of the board of directors at the Eye Bank, who was in California for seminars. He responded very, very quickly to my call and even made a follow up call to me. SO --- This is what we have accomplished with our hard work. We have helped in providing some of the top vision care in the country. The whole experience was remarkable. Keep up the good work.
Remember, we as Lions are welcome to visit and even talk to the doctors at the University Eye Clinic. I would encourage every one to visit the clinic when they have their open house.
In closing, I would like to send condolences from the Club to the Turner family for their loss. John was a great example of what Lionism is about and will be greatly missed.
See you at the meeting.
Lion President Dave Weisgurt
Remembering Lion John Turner
Bloomington Lions have lost one of our most loyal, spirited members with the passing of Lion John Turner on October 3rd. Lion John was a committed Bloomington Lion for 43 years. He was Lion of the Year in 2006 and a Melvin Jones Award and Helen Keller Award recipient. In recent years, Lion John was an advocate for Bridging causes and acted as the intermediary with Bridging to provide needed items ranging from a van to dressers.
In an interview for the May 2002 Head-Lioner newsletter column “Senior Lions’ Tales,” Lion John showed what a colorful character he was. When asked what he considered the greatest fundraiser, Lion John responded, “It surely wasn’t the rodeo!” (For the newer members’ information, the rodeo was a muddy mess that almost busted the club). John then seriously answered that one of the best fundraisers was the Cadillac Dinner which heattended every year since it started years ago at the Minnesota Valley Country Club. He remembered it as the outstanding traditional Holiday event to attendin Bloomington.
Lion John’s enthusiasm for the fellowship of Lionism is evident in the following excerpt from the interview: “What does he see for the future of the Club? Lion John believes the Club now is well-organized. He believes we must continue to have projectsto keep the Club together. There was such a good response at the Pancake Breakfast this year. Lion John says that it was so much fun to cook alongside his friend, Lion David, and to see all of the people come through. That’s what makes the Club worthwhile.”
New Member Profile
The path to Lionism for new member, Lion RJ Wolf, was opened by two Lions—through the efforts of his sponsor, Lion Dan Mathwig, and from his dad, Lion Robert Wolf. Lion RJ’s dad has been a Lion for over 40 years in Jordan, MN, served as president of the club and is a Helen Keller recipient. Lion RJ remembers his dad selling mints for Lions and collecting eyeglasses in his store for many years. When his neighbor, Lion Dan, invited him to join, Lion RJ said “Sure,” since he grew up knowing about the work of Lions.
Born and raised in Jordan, Lion RJ is one of 8 brothers and sisters and an additional 4 adopted children. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Biochemistry. After marrying a Bloomington native, Sue, he and his wife lived in Bloomington for 8 years then bought a home here. They have two children; Andy is 17 and Katie is 13. Lion RJ is the owner of Corporate Contract Services which provides IT consultant services to corporate clients and computer support services to small and medium-size businesses.
For recreation, Lion RJ does Lewis and Clark re-enactments once or twice a year. Last year he canoed 150 miles down the Missouri River on what Lewis and Clark described as the most beautiful part of the river. Lion RJ also does mountain biking, usually in the Minnesota River bottoms. Last Spring, he went to MOAB in Utah and biked up a rock-faced mountain. Another hobby, which is on-going, is remodeling his house. His latest project started out as a small retaining wall and has evolved into an 80-foot-long wall complete with towers. Lion RJ has continued his participation with the Boy Scouts. He was an Eagle Scout in high school and is presently assistant scoutmaster for the Bloomington troop.
As a new member, Lion RJ hopes to follow in the footsteps of his dad who took an active role in Lions involvement in eye glasses collection and education. Lion RJ does a lot with education now through his business and his work for the Boys and Girls Clubs. The Lions Club is a good way to continue the tradition.
Lions Briefs
Welcome to new members approved at the last Board meeting: Lion Mary Gardner (Sponsor-Lion Ken Thoma) and Lion Lisa Rothstein (Sponsor-Lion Ken Thoma). Profiles of these two new members, as well as last month’s other new member, Lion Tom Baer, will be featured in an upcoming newsletter so we can get to know them. Reach out to these Lions to fulfill one of the stated purposes of Lionism—to unite members in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding.
Check the Thursday, October 29th, Taste section of the StarTribune for the write-up on Fong’s Restaurant, including a half-page picture of Lion David in the dining room. The column describes Fong’s as a Twin Cities dining legend from one of Minnesota’s leading restaurant families. Tail twister—get ready to fine Lion David Fong Sr. and his sons, Lions Ed, Don, and David Jr., for all the press coverage!
