AUGUST 2014

LIONS CLUB RECEIVES“GREEN STAR” AWARDTri-County Lions Club President Ray Valentinepresented the District Green Star Award toImmediate Past President Keith McCord. Theaward, established by Immediate Past DistrictGovernor Mike McDonough, recognizes theclub's increased contributions for Lion Year2013-2014. Congratulations for a job well done!

2013-14 President Keith McCord receives theframed award from President Ray Valentine.

HAVE YOU READ THE LIONMAGAZINE THIS MONTH?

Take Me Out to the Ballgame, written by JenniferGilbert Gebbhart, assistant editor, discusses wayssocial outings can be used to strengthen the Lions'team, and features several familiar faces in theaccompanying illustration.

The article, focusing on club improvement, featuresthe Tri-County Lions Club's annual picnic andballgame. In addition to print copies, the magazinemay be viewed online at lionsmagazine.org.

The article appears in the July/August 2014 editionon page 47.

2013-14 PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY THE CLUB

In the pie chart above, the largest single donation was $1,024 to the District's projects supported byWhite Cane Days collections. These funds are “passed through”--that is, once they are collected duringWhite Cane Days fundraising in October, they are sent to the District 12-N Charities and then to theprojects involved. These projects include Lions Volunteer Blind Industries, East Tennessee Lions EyeBank, Tennessee School for the Deaf and Tennessee School for the Blind, Leader Dogs for theBlind,and more.

The next largest project of the club, and very close to what wasfunded by White Cane Days, is the purchase of eye exams andglasses, this past year totaling $966. We sent $500 to“Operation Paycheck” at Lions Volunteer Blind Industries inMorristown, a fund the Club has supported since it wasestablished by LVBI. $200 went to Live-It Ministries for theone-time project to replace a home for a local disabled vet;$450 went to “On My Own” in Sevier County Schools; andLions Clubs International Foundation received $250. Smalleramounts went to Friends of the Seymour Library to fund theSummer Reading Program ($200), Easter Baskets for SeniorCitizens ($185), and ETSU's new Lions Club ($85). TheStudentVolunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (not shownabove) was a recipient of a small donation of $50 for a studentproviding services overseas.

Also not shown, but still a reflection of the giving spirit of Lions members, are individual's gifts toorganizations like CROSS, youth sports, the District's Day With the Lions, Alzheimers Tennessee, andnumerous others.

As the committee prepares the budget for this year, let's commit to supporting the fundraising efforts tomake generous giving possible. White Cane Day fundraising is being planned now for the Octoberevent. Plan to help out. “We Serve”!

Lions friends and family membershelp prepare the seniors' Easterbaskets.

“THE MORE WE GIVE,THE RICHER WE BECOME!”

TIM RICHARDSONSPEAKER & AUTHOR INSPIRES LIONS

“If you think big things,big things can happen,”said Tim Richardson,noted speaker and authorat the August 11 meeting.

We need to “think aboutthe abundance of whatwe have,” and pass it onto the next generation.

“It is not up to thepoliticians!” he noted;rather, “the more wegive, the richer webecome.” We shouldinvolve ourselves insomething not aboutourselves.

He commented, weshould “turn adversityinto an advantage.” Findthe blessing in a badsituation.

Tim is the author ofJump Starts: Wit andWisdom to Super ChargeYour Day, and will be theopening keynote speakerat the 2014 USA/CanadaLions Leadership Forumnext month in PuertoRico.

He is the father of six,and Ava, one of hischildren, accompaniedhim to the meeting atConnie's Kitchen.

For more detailed information about the USA/Canada forum, go online to: usacanadalionsforum.org

LAZY HAZY CRAZY DAYS OF SUMMER:The August 25 Tri-County Lions meeting will be a picnic at the residence of Lion Connie Emmons.She will be providing a meat, and others attending will bring a covered dish. She also noted swimwearwould be appropriate. Location is 7701 Rollen Road, at the corner with Kimberlin Heights.

WELCOME NEW MEMBER ROB WEBB:Robert A. “Rob” Webb submitted his application for membership. Rob is sponsored by Lion KeithMcCord. He is Vice President of Operations for Priority Ambulance, and his wife is Angie. Welcome!

TREASURER'S REPORT SUMMARY:Lion Judy Moffett reported the Project Account balance is $3,065. Administration Account balance is$228 (all District, Multi-District, and Lions Clubs International dues have been paid for the period July1-December 31, 2014). Savings Account balance is $950.

EYEGLASSES REPORT:Lion Paul Boyer reported two eye exams and glasses were approved so far in August. That brings thetotal for the Lion Year beginning in July to three.

WHITE CANE DAYS PLANNING:Fundraising for White Cane Days is tentatively scheduled for October 11. We will set up at theintersection of Boyds Creek Road and Chapman Highway, in front of Connie's Kitchen, possibly atKrogers and other locations. White Cane Days funding supports numerous Lions District 12-Nprojects. Thanks to Lion Richard Russell for lots of preliminary work, and for meeting with theVolunteer Fire Department, so scheduling won't present a conflict.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE:• Live-It Ministries, a local non-profit “taking the Bible out of the box” is preparing to work on a

home in the near future, and will be needing help. This is a good way to serve the less fortunate,and there are many ways for volunteers to help. We will have more information available as theproject comes to fruition. Tri-County Lions partnered with Live-It last year providing bothvolunteer hours and financial assistance as they built a new home for a disabled veteran indesparate need.

• The local high school football team is in dire need of additional funds and is working to comeup with a date for a fundraising event with Connie's Kitchen and the Lions. Serving youth is akey service area of the Lions “Strengthen the Pride” effort this year.

• In the near future, Lions will be cleaning the Chilhowee School Road again. We anticipate afirm date for the workday at the August 25 meeting. This environmental service project is oneof the key areas of the International President, Joe Preston, to “Strengthen the Pride”.

Tim Richardson recently reminded us to use our skills, our gifts, our talents, in service to others. Wewill be richer for it.