For starters, I’m thankful for ALL our Lions and workers that come and help us at our fundraiser bingos. I know it takes dedication to pull away from friends and family every Sunday afternoon to come support our fundraising efforts. Without your dedication, our club doesn’t raise the funds to do the great projects like we’ve been participating in this year. I’m glad to see all of us learning the different roles at bingo and I hope to see us continue to improve on our processes at bingo and get the last couple of kinks out. If you’re free one Sunday evening, I’d encourage all our Lions to come see our bingos and help out.
I know we need to look at ways to help bolser our club’s Admin account to help support club efforts from the planning and administrative side of things. So, even if you can’t make bingos, there may be other ways you can help our club from a fundraising side of things.
Secondly, I’m thankful to all our Lions that serve as boots on the ground at our wonderful service projects. From Fill the Fridge, Adopt a Family, Wreaths Across America, wrapping presents at the Jewish Center, Cubsight eye screenings, Braveheart, the help we give our fellow Lions (physically, financially, and emotionally), and the hundreds of other service projects that I know I’m forgetting here.
Thank ya’ll for supporting our president, Lion Tania, and her officers. Tania, you’re doing an AMAZING job. As a past president, I know the comfort that having a great team and amazing members gives you as you lead the club. Lion President, know that we Lions are always here to serve.
Next, I’m thankful that we have great motivated Lions in our club that look to help out Lionism not just from our club, but various district, state, and international roles. I know Lion Chris (an associate member and friend of our club) is looking to run for International Director, while still keeping our Eye Foundation running as an example to other Lions Eye Foundations across the world. We’ve got Lion Joe pursuing a board member role in the Eye Foundation. We’ve got Lion Richard (another associate member) serving on Lion Miranda’s 8-S Charities cabinet. We’ve got several members serving as voting members and active participants in 8-S Charities and BOTH the Eye Foundation and Lions Camp Boards. Thank you, Lions. Know that your club is behind you and supports you through your leadership endeavors.
Lastly, I’m thankful for all of the members in our club that I’m proud to call fellow Lions and more importantly – FRIENDS. I’m PROUD to be a Lion and not just a Lion, but a Lion in the “best d***ed club in the world“, as I heard a wise man once boast over drinks at a convention.
I wish you and yours all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and any other holidays you may observe this time of year and have a Happy and Safe New Year! I look forward to what 2024 brings for our club.
Lion Shawn Foret
PS – Lion Skip, that “safe” part of New Years, means YOU. No dropping mortal shell fireworks from your remote control airplanes! Santa’s watching! (LOL j/k)