SEPTEMBER 2014

“BREAKFAST BOWL” TO SUPPORT EAGLES FOOTBALLTuesday, September 23, from 5:00-8:00pm, the Seymour High School Football Team fundraiser atConnie's Kitchen will raise some much needed funds to help support the team this year. Tri-CountyLions are planning to arrive as early as 4:00pm to help get ready. Lions will be working in the kitchen,and the members of the football team will be serving customers. Did you know studies show that whenyoung people participate in service, they are more likely to continue on a pathway of lifelong civicengagement? Engaging youth is a key focus of the Centennial Service Challenge of Lions ClubsInternational as LCI nears 100 years of service.

The $5.00 cost includes pancakes, sausage, bacon, and drink—thus, the “Breakfast Bowl” name.

In addition to helping in the kitchen and encouraging others to support the event, the Tri-County Lionsare also covering additional expenses that may not be covered by donations.

Tickets for the fundraiser are available from members of the Seymour High School football team, andare also available at the door. Invite your friends and neighbors to come out and support the team!

A “HAPPY - HAPPY - HAPPY” SHOUT OUT TO MORGAN--

After Morgan (Lion Connie Emmon's granddaughter) particpated in a recent Debate/Forensicscompetition held at Wake Forest University as a member of the Seymour High School Debate team, shewas interviewed by the local Seymour Herald newspaper!

She participated in the Public Forum Debate category. Though this was her first such experience, sheand her teammate won their first round. Students from all across the country attend the Wake Forestdebates each year. Her debate teacher is Danielle Smallwood. We are so very proud of Morgan andwish her continued success! ...And...Happy 15th Birthday Morgan!

NEED HELP FINDING CURRENT INFO ABOUT TRI-COUNTY LIONS CLUB?When inviting others to come with you to a Lions Club meeting, it sometimes helps to have a go-tosource for information about the Club. While we've printed brochures, these can get out of date quickly.A good, and usually up-to-date source for club information is the Tri-County Club's website. Just pointyour browser to: http://www.kmmoffett.net/weserve . Better yet, bookmark it.

YOU SAW TIM (aka IDA)

HERE FIRSTTim Richardson, who madetwo recent presentations at Tri-County Lions Club meetings,opened the USA/Canada LionsLeadership Forum beforethousands of Lions in PuertoRico and received a doublestanding ovation. On hisFacebook page, he noted:“Humbled and honored byyour response and thankful forthe GREAT work you do inNorth America Lions ClubsInternational!” At right, above,appearing as Ida (rememberIda? —of course you do), he isshown with Tennessee's own,Second Vice President of LionsClubs International, Lion BobCorlew.

The photos were taken inPuerto Rico by Lion AustinPrabhu, editor of MD 1(Illinois) and District 1ANewsletters, who graciouslyconsented to their use in thispublication.

DISTRICT 12-N WHITE CANE DAYS FUN-DRAI$ER OCTOBER 11:White Cane Days is October 11. Asusual (and weather permitting), wewill set up at the intersection ofBoyds Creek Road and ChapmanHighway, at Connie's Kitchen, andelsewhere. Kroger has yet to beconfirmed, though we have collectedthere in the past. White Cane Daysfunding supports Lions VolunteerBlind Industries, East TennesseeLions Eye Bank, Tennessee Schoolsfor the Deaf and the Blind, LeaderDog School, and more.

FUNDRAISING PROJECT IDEAS

As planning continues for this year, the Club recognizes the need to come up with new and innovativeways to raise funds so the Lions can keep up with the community needs that come up, particularly inproviding eye exams and glasses. Here are some ideas to consider, some tried in the past, some entirelynew to this club.

• Downtown Street Festival: Lenoir City Parks and Recreation partners with the Lenoir CityLions Club for a street festival that includes a classic car show, live music, arts and crafts, andfood vendors. It takes place in the Historic Downtown. Vendors sign up ahead of time.

• Carnival: The Morristown Lions Club conducts an annual carnivalwith Forever Young Amusements, 1685 Mallard Circle, Conley, GA30288, contact John Young at 678-414-8572. Another provider isGold Medal Shows, PO Box 249, The Rock, GA 30285.(770) 358-0029.

• GoKart and/or Lawnmower Races: This would require partnering with a facility like 411Motor Speedway (or even just a large empty parking lot).

• Music Festival and/or Battle of the Bands: Partner with a facility with a suitable auditorium oroutdoor space, then invite local bands, singers, and/or other entertainers.

• Car Show: “We've done it successfully before; we could do it again!”This event requires a large and visible parking area. Businesses couldsponsor category trophies. Entry fees are usually $10-15 in advance.Several area Lions Clubs sponsor car shows. Morristown Lions Clubhas the largest show in this area. Would Smokies Stadium in Kodakmake their parking lot available in the off-season?

• Yard Sale: Location is the key. We are aware of CNB offering theirparking area to nonprofits(at their Strawberry Plains location). This is the Club's bank. Theremight be a partnership possibility.

• Dance-a-Thon: How about something radically different? (This would require an appropriatespace, a DJ, chaperones(?), and prizes awarded throughout the event to those still dancing...orhow would you suggest? An outdoor summer event, under the stars, could add to the fun. Thisis similar to summer dancing in the park sponsored by the Charlestown, WV Lions Club yearsago.

• Car Wash: Here's an opportunity to partner with a school or church group. Or go it alone.• For the Birds: Deliver a couple of fake pink flamingos to a donor’s yard and leave a note

explaining the cause and asking for a donation to “replant” the flamingos in the yard of the next“victim” the first donor designates. It is different.

• Coin Jar or Can: Leave with a business or friend for them to fill with change, then return. Alabel reminds them of the purpose of the collection.

• Throw: Design and sell a throw featuring local landmarks. Contact Liberty Logos, PO Box 532,Bridgeton, NC 28519-0532, 252-671-7325, or Ty Mawr Classics, 304-615-1124.

• Food Concessions: Provide easy-to-fix food items (hot dogs, nachos,hamburgers, and soft drinks) for local events. Lots of events bring incommercial food vendors. However, lots of folks would prefer to buy froma local nonprofit. The Johnson City Metro Lions Club was successfuldoing this for many years at holiday events, open houses, business events,and the like, eventually working in a permanent building at a largeregional fair. Caramel apples, pizzas, and polish sausages were popular.

PICNIC PIX Thanks to Lion Connie Emmons for hosting the picnic August 25. And we have the pictures!