The Official Newsletter of the Lions Clubs of District

The Lions’ Roar
May, 2011
The Official Newsletter of the Lions Clubs of District 20-Y2
Stephen Lynch, Editor
Stephen@sheldonmansion.com
Where Lions meet, be present Lord – to weld our hearts in one accord.
To do thy will Lord, make us strong - to aid the weak and right the wrong.
Funds contributed to LCIF for Japan Relief between now and June 30, 2011 can go for a
Melvin Jones Fellow. As of 3/23/11, approximately $6 million has been contributed to
the Japan Relief Fund, with $3 million coming from Japanese Lions.
MD20 has set a goal of $150,000 for the Japan Relief Fund. MD20 contributed $125,000
for Haitian relief.
As of 4/13/11, MD20 has donated $70,000 to the Japan fund, with 20-Y2 donating
$2,495.
PDG Dick Nason
LCIF Chair
Page 1
Provided by DG John Samples, Sr. as a reminder to file all reports promptly.
Page 2
The fourth District Cabinet Meeting was held on April 16th at the Central Association
for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Utica. CABVI provided a very information tour
as well as a nice lunch.
Rudy D’Amico, CEO & President,
stated, ―It was a great pleasure to
meet and host the 20-Y2 Lion
members. The agency is very
appreciative of the Lions and the
many contributions they have made
to CABVI and its consumers.‖
Thirty-one Lions learned about CABVI’s rehabilitation services and their manufacturing
division.
The Lions visited the Low Vision Clinic
that was funded by LCIF and the
rehabilitation kitchen that was supported
by the Lions and Lionesses of central New
York and the New York State & Bermuda
Foundation in 2000. During the tour, the
Lions were able to observe blind
employees assembling latex gloves and
pens, and sewing textiles
Lion Tom Hart of the Albany & Troy
Lions Club gave an excellent
presentation about recycling eyeglasses
and hearing aids. He has promised to
work with fellow A&T Lion Jerry
Gordon to develop an information
packet that will be available for other
Lions clubs.
For more information, contact:
Lion Paula Flisnik, Director of Community Relations
Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
507 Kent Street, Utica, NY 13501
(315)797-2233, ext. 1270; email: paulaf@cabvi.org
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FEED THE HUNGRY
Club Name
Food
Baskets
Thanksgiving
Food
Baskets
Christmas
Food
Shelf
Donations
Albany & Troy
Greater Amsterdam
Ballston Spa
Bethlehem
Broadalbin-Perth
Cambridge
Central Mohawk
Clinton
Deerfield
Duane
Fonda-Fultonville
Fort Edward
Galway
Glens Falls
Gloversville
Granville
Town of Greenfield
Greenwich
Guilderland
Hadley-Luzerne
Herkimer
Holland-Patent
Town of Hoosick
Johnstown
MechanicvilleStillwater
New Hartford
NY Mills-Whitestown
Northville-Sacandaga
Greater Ravena Area
RichmondvilleCobleskill
Saratoga Springs
Sauquoit Valley
Schuylerville
Scotia-Glenville
Speculator
Utica
Waterford
Wright-Scoharie
Totals
Page 6
Bell Ring
Salvation
Army
Adopt a
Family
for
holiday
Meal
With
kids
/ seniors
Totals
Save the Date
Annual Luncheon Meeting
June 5th @1pm
Normanside Country Club
150 Salisbury Road, Delmar
www.normanside.com
For information, contact Lion John McDonald via e-mail at McDonald@nysefc.org
President Lion John McDonald
Lions Eye Institute
President PDG Dick Nason
Lions Foundation at Albany
Start your own Lions e-Clubhouse!
Go to http://20y2lions.org/ClubWebSites.htm
for a free and easy way to create, maintain or improve a web site for your club.
Page 7
LHCS PRESIDENT
SURNOFF JUDY, PDG
1700 LATIMER HILL RD
CANAJOHARIE, NY 13317
518.673.1065
20Y2 Club Members
As President of the Lions Hearing Conservation Society I would like to extend a personal
invitation to all club members and their guest to attend our annual dinner meeting and
installation of officers on May 23, 2011.
Guest speaker; Joanne Knauer
A NY Licensed Clinical Social Worker and member of the Hearing Loss Association Albany
Chapter.
This should be an informative meeting as we find more ways to work with other groups for the
betterment of the hearing impaired and deaf.
We will also be talking about the Lions Hearing Awareness Program for the summer and what is
new for the program.
Place- Raindancer Steak Parlour
4582 State Hwy. 30, Amsterdam, NY
6:30 PM - Cash bar and socializing (can be added to dinner check)
7:00 PM - Dinner (ordered from menu)
RSVP phone or email by May 15, 2010
Lion Bill Suchy 843-5850 Lsuchy@nycap.rr.com
PDG Surnoff Judy 673-1065 scjudy2@frontiernet.net
Thank You
Surnoff Judy, PDG
President
Page 8
This is my report on VCB, as of 04-16—2011:
32 Students with blindness and other vision impairments, participated in VCB.'s
Prevocational institute, during the week of February 21st.
A mixed camping session for blind children, adults and seniors, is being held this
weekend, at VCB.
Two programs for blind children and there families are planned for the weekends of
May 22nd through 24th, and June 10th through 12th.
The spring VCB. Workday is scheduled for Saturday, June 4th, along with the regularly
scheduled executive committee meeting.
This year's Employment and Technology Institute will run from July 22nd through 28th,
and the 85th anniversary celebration and Family day will be held at VCB., Sunday,
August 7th.
Yours in Lionism,
Lion Mike O'Brien
VCB Chair.
Visit The Lions Clubs of District 20-Y2
Web Site www.20y2lions.org
Go to the lower left corner to sign up to automatically receive
The Lions Roar,
The Official Newsletter of the Lions Clubs of District 20-Y2
by e-mail each month
Page 9
Additional Information:
VISIONS: 212-625-1616 Ext. #120
e-mail: golf@visionsvcb.org
Fairview: Pro Shop 203-531-4283
Directions: www.fairviewcountryclub.org
Page 10
The Early Bird Registration Deadline for the USA/Canada Lions Leadership
Forum is just around the corner. Register now for the 35th Annual Forum to
be held September 22-24, 2011 in Anchorage Alaska.
Registration fee goes
up after June 15th. Airfare is still low from most areas in North America.
Click on the Forum link below for all the information on the Forum and to
register online or print out the registration form:
https://usacanadalionsforum.org
Click on the link below for our April 2011 Newsletter, jam packed with the
latest Forum information.
https://usacanadalionsforum.org/Newsletter042011.pdf
Come join us for the Best Forum yet as we proudly present "*I Believe in
Lions Leadership*."
See you in Anchorage!
The Northeastern Association for the Blind at Albany, Inc. (NABA) held their 2011
Visionary Gala on April 8th at the Albany Country Club in Voorheesville. Frank
Crisafulli was the Guest of Honor.
Since 1908, the Northeastern Association for the Blind at Albany, Inc. (NABA) has
provided comprehensive programs and services to residents of the greater Capital
Region who are blind or visually impaired. NABA’s services help individuals of all ages
in 15 countries to adapt to their vision loss, maximize their remaining vision, achieve
their goals, and expand their productivity and independence.
For more information contact
Gail Hessney at 518-463-1211 ext. 201 – ghessney@naba-vision.org or
Michele O’Hare at 518-463-1211 ext. 241 – mo’hare@naba-vision.org
Or visit www.naba-vision.org
Page 11
www.lionseyebankalbany.org
The Sight Society of Northeastern New York, Inc. / Lions Eye Bank at Albany held their
59th Annual Membership Meeting at the Desmond Hotel in Albany on April 10th. It was
an opportunity to review the accomplishments of the past year and pursue a vision for
the future. Next year’s Executive Board Members and Officers were elected.
During our December meeting, board members expressed a desire to recognize the long
association we have had with our Lions clubs and to further explore ways in which
Society resources could be used to do more in supporting programs/projects related to
serving the vision impaired.
Most Lions clubs have, as part of their primary mission, established programs offering
free eye exams/eyeglasses to needy clients through an arrangement made with
Luxotica (LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical and Target Optical). Clubs purchase
coupons at $50 each for which approved clients receive an eye exam and pair of glasses.
With the continuing loss of both members and clubs, some geographic areas are no
longer serviced by local Lions clubs.
Some smaller clubs, because of dwindling resources, have cut back and restricted their
programs. Other clubs are now receiving more requests from clients outside their
traditional service areas; all of which is placing an added strain upon clubs to respond.
We were recently approached by several Lions clubs suggesting that our Sight Society
may be willing to help out. A consensus was reached, as an appropriate response to the
request, that the Society should allocate $500 for the purchase of 10 coupons for that
purpose. It was emphasized that clubs would be held fully responsible for funding and
continuing their own programs in traditional service areas.
Clubs needing help with requests from outside their areas would be required to
complete paper work associated with determining client qualifications. Coupons
and/or reimbursement to clubs by the Society would be handled by a volunteer from
the executive board (Director Marco Cuozzo has offered to serve in this capacity) and
not by Society staff. Clubs and districts would be informed of the program and
information would also be made available on the Society’s website.
Page 12
We held our School-Nurse Appreciation Dinner on April 6th at the Hilton Garden Inn
in Troy. The final count was 60 school nurses + 18 Lions and guests. As usual, the
Hilton did a beautiful job with the meal. Benita Zahn was a terrific MC, and
pediatrician Dr Lori Caruso’s ―head to toe‖ talk was informative, entertaining and very
well received. The nurses were very appreciative of all we do, as evidenced by their
remarks that evening and the thank-you notes we got afterwards. And thank to our
generous sponsors, the club’s out-of-pocket cost was a mere $170. All in all, it was a
very successful evening.
Lions Diane and Tom Hart (who gave a presentation on our eyeglass program) and
Lions Jerry and Maryanne Gordon and Michael O’Brien attended the April 11, 2011,
Mechanicville/Stillwater Lions Club meeting. They will be joining us for our
Installation Dinner.
We had a last-minute call from the Regional Food Bank on Wednesday, April 6th, for
strong volunteers to help unload furniture from a tractor trailer of furniture donated by
Walmart . The RFB was donating it to a not-for-profit in Schenectady. It turned out to be
TWO tractor trailers full and there was NO FORKLIFT to help them at the loading dock
in Schenectady. So our Lions worked HARD until 5:30 + and earned high marks from
the Regional Food Bank Volunteer Coordinator, Jackie Murray. Our congratulations to
our strong volunteers: Lions Larry Krug and Paul Vergoni, and pseudo-Lion Bob Sano.
They were aided by one Rotarian, a number of Food Bank employees, one RFB
volunteer, and Jackie and her husband. A well-done job, Lions, and congratulations to
all !!
We selected May 15th as the date to serve a meal at Joseph’s House & Shelter. They
offer emergency shelter, permanent housing, support services and guidance for
homeless individuals, families and children. A high percentage of the homeless
population is children. They address both immediate and long-term needs.
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BALLSTON SPA LIONS CLUB
Ballston Spa Lions Club Charter Member Remembered
On April 11, 2011 members of the Ballston Lions Club attended the Sight Society of
Northeastern New York, Inc, Lions Eye Bank at Albany 59th Annual Membership
Meeting to present a check in memory of Lion Joe Austin.
On March 10, 2011 Lion Joe Austin passed away at the age of 97. In 1949, Lion Joe
Austin was a charter member of the Ballston Spa Lions Club. In 1952 he was a Founding
Member of the Sight Conservation Society and Lions Eye Bank at Albany. Throughout
his life his commitment and contribution to Lionism and his community are displayed
in many associations with local and regional community organizations.
Club Contribution To:
Lions Eye Bank at Albany
in memory of Lion Joe
Austin, DG John Samples
Sr, Recipient Lion Dave
Harris, Secretary Lions Eye
Bank at Albany, Lion Susan
Hayes, and Lion Marco
Cuozzo Ballston Spa Lions
Club.
Paul W. Loomis, President of Malta Business and Professional Association (MBPA) was
our guest speaker at the April 6th meeting. The Malta Business and Professional
Association (MBPA) is the voice for business leaders in the Malta area.
They promote and advance the commercial, industrial, civic climate and general
interests of the business and professional enterprises in Malta. Their members include
retailers, industrial, cultural, professional, non-profit and service organizations.
"Growth.... Innovation... Community"
PDG Mary Jane Ralston’s Mother Bette Ann Wilson
passed away on March 30th, at the age of 96.
Page 15
Come to Bermuda
The Hamilton Lions Club in Bermuda will be 65 on May 12, 2011.
We will be celebrating this occasion on Saturday, May 14, 2011.
We invite our MD20 district to join us for the evening.
It is our hope that some of you will be able to come and celebrate with us, you can reply
via email to me, Lion Faith. Firm numbers will be needed by May 9th. Further details
are pending and will be forwarded in due course.
Lion Faith,
Secretary
Hamilton Lions Club
lionsclubsbermuda@gmail.com
The Bethlehem Lions Club
enjoyed a District Governor’s
Visitation on April 6th.
Shown
Right:
Lion
Rick
Rudofsky received a Certificate
of Appreciation from District
Governor John Samples Sr. for
his continuous dedication to
Lionism.
Page 16
Broadalbin-Perth Lions
For Information Contact: Eric Kimmelman
842-7275
ejkimm2@netscape.net
On March 10th, Lion Val Kevlin
was awarded the Robert J.
Uplinger Distinguished Service
Award, the highest award
available in Multiple District 20,
for her exemplary service to the
Broadalbin-Perth Lions Club
and Multiple District 20. Lion
Val Kevlin has been a very
active Lion for many years. She
was a member of the Johnstown
Lions Club and is a Charter
Member of the Broadalbin-Perth
Lions Club.
In Broadalbin-Perth, she has been Secretary, First and Second Vice President and
President and served on every project the club has been involved in. She has also been
Zone Chairman and Region Chairman. When presenting the award, King Lion Kirk
stated ―Val is always available when needed.
The club owes much of its success to her efforts.‖ Lion Val is married to fellow Lion
Tom Kevlin, also a Broadalbin-Perth member. The Kevlin’s have three daughters and a
granddaughter.
Not above you – not beneath you – but with you.
Page 17
Shown below are photos of Central Mohawk Valley Lions Club April Activities.
The 36th annual Central Mohawk Valley Lions Club Easter Egg hunt took place in
Hazlett Park in the village of Fort Plain on Saturday, April 16th.
"2011 Easter Egg Hunt Rabbits:" A good
portion of the club participated in making
the event a big success -- our 36th annual.
Pictured: King Lion Jeff Jones; Lions Tammy
Jones, Greg Pitonza, Chris Resch (seated),
John Resch (non Lion helper), PDG Surnoff
Judy, Christine Judy, Jack Douglass, Anna
Mae Douglass, Ron Dievendorf, Wayne
Heroth, and Sue Leavitt
Above: Left:: "On the Starting Line:" a crowd of about 100 children wait with their
parents for the "starting gun." Above: "Easter Bunny (AKA KL Jeff Jones) Handout"
Right:: "PDG Surnoff & Christine Collect and Distribute:" PDG Surnoff and his wife,
Christine, distribute prizes to children who have surrendered their collected eggs.
On Saturday, April 2nd, the CMV Lions Club had a table
at the Fort Plain Central HS Health Fair.
Right: PDG Surnoff & KL Jeff Jones manning the table.
Lion Fred Chambers, and PDG Surnoff Judy at
the Health Fair table which displayed items
available for loan-out at 20Y-2 Hearing Centers.
Page 18
Page 19
Hope everyone had an enjoyable Easter, no doubt munching on all of those bunnies we
distributed.
Lion Norma has a few bunnies still available - white chocolate only. Please see Lion
Norma for pickup - 725-3489.
Our Club will be hosting the 'Friday's Table' on May 6th at the Church of the Holy
Spirit, Gloversville. This will be our first but not last time actually purchasing &
creating the entree. We have seven volunteers signed up - we will report back with
results & photos.
Our slate of Officers & Directors for 2011-2012 are as follows:
President:
Matt Trainor
Vice-President:
Mark Ford
Secretary:
Roseann Lauria
Treasurer:
Ron Ferdico
Directors:
Norma Cozzolino
Fran Mezza
Steve Spurza
Linda Walsh
The above slate was elected at our April 6th meeting. Congratulations All!!
Our annual dinner/Officer installation will be held June 29th at the C&R Restaurant,
Rte. 29, Galway. Conferring officer will be Past International Director John Wargo. I
hope to see everyone there!
Lion Linda Walsh and myself will be attending the NYS State convention in Rochester
April 29th - May 1st. Lion Linda will be elected our District Governor and I know I speak
for all when I say Congratulations Lion Linda - well deserved!
Meeting & Speaker schedule:
May 4th - dinner - Fireside Restaurant - Lions Tom Kevlin & Bill Suchy of the MD-20
MERL team will speak.
May 12th - dinner - Patricia's, Johnstown, 7PM. This is a Thursday night. Speaker will
be Assemblyman Marc Butler speaking on life in Albany. ***Please note that the May
12th meeting will replace our usual luncheon meeting ordinarily scheduled for the 20th.
Page 20
Lion Norma Cozzolino (Immediate Past President) was contacted by Lions Mark &
Eleanor Costello of the East Whittier California Lions Club who then forwarded the
attached envelope postmarked October 21, 1950 and addressed to PFC David DeWitt at
Camp Pickett, VA
The reason Lions Mark & Eleanor sent the envelope is the back has three Halloween
stickers promoting the "Halloween Youth Frolic" sponsored by the Gloversville Lions
Club. Note that the postage was 3 cents.
Page 21
We held the Election for the upcoming Lions year at our April 5th Dinner Meeting with
the following results; President Marianne Lynch, 1st Vice President Phil Weaver,
Treasurer Harry Haldt, Secretary Linda Ellingsworth, Tail Twister Ron Barrett, Lion
Tamer Sheila Comar, Director 2 years Jim Roberts, Director 2 years Cindy Teller,
Director 1 year John Gijanto, Director 1 year Matt Rice, and Membership Chair Wes
Perry.
Right: King Lion Stephen Lynch
presented Lion Ron Barrett with a
Membership Key award on April 5th for
his successful efforts.
The Leos/Lions Blood Drive was held in
the Granville High School library on
Monday, April 4th with great results
thanks to Co-Chairs Lions Tamme Taran
and Mary Ann Niles.
We provided plants to 128 2nd Graders for
Earth Day. Thank you Chair Lion Nancy
Hughes.
Our April 19th Dinner Meeting featured a
nice presentation by Bill Vanderminden
of Telescope Casual Furniture, who
continued the wonderful relationship
between his family, their company, and
the Granville Lions, which has already
lasted for more than fifty years.
Furniture Sales started on Friday, April 15th and will continue each weekend through
Labor Day.
Donations this month included $195 toward a hearing aid for a needy person, $1,000
worth of furniture to the Austine-Green Mountain Lions Camp, $1,000 worth of
furniture to the Haynes House of Hope, $500 to the GHS After Prom Party, $100 to local
missionary Cassie Dodge, $50 to the Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a $100 Gold
Sponsorship of the Rail Trail 5K Race and $300 worth of furniture to the Knights of
Columbus auction.
Page 22
Special Pricing for All Lions!
Granville Lions Club Sale
Large inventory of Telescope casual
furniture including strap chaises
at Below Wholesale Prices!
Various Styles
Bring your Lions membership card for an
extra 10% discount on our entire inventory!
Sales start on APRIL 15th
Page 23
In our 32nd year of community service
16th Annual Run for the Community
Saturday, May 7th
We are seeking sponsors now.
Please contact Gail Nelson at gnelson@brsu.org
The Greenfield Lions have a full schedule of upcoming Cooking Events. They started
with a Cowboy Shoot on April 17th and will be continuing right into November!
The club enjoyed a District Governor Visitation with DG John Samples, Sr. on April 13th.
Plan now for our Camp Badger Work Weekend, May 27th thru Memorial Day. If you
are interested in going down please let Lion Joe Jarvis know, so we can have enough
accommodations. We will be getting the wish list for the Camp shortly and will post it
in an upcoming newsletter.
The Hadley-Luzerne Lioness Club held their Annual Basket Auction on Wednesday,
April 27th at Ciro’s Restaurant in Lake Luzerne.
It was an evening of Fun, Laughter and “Bidding Wars.” A delicious Buffet:included
Salad, Sausage with peppers & onions, Baked Ziti, Stuffed Sole, Chicken Marsala,
Roasted Potatoes, Mixed Beans & Carrots, Dessert, and Hot Coffee or Tea.
Page 24
The annual Town of Hoosick Lions Club
Penny Hunt took place on April 16th at
Wood Memorial Park. Despite the cool
cloudy weather, there was a good turnout
and, as always, the Easter Bunny made an
appearance. The club is now serving it's
third generation of children as there were
grandparents in attendance who had
participated in the event as children. The
Penny Hunt is the oldest Town of Hoosick
Lions event, dating back to 1961, and being
held every year for the last 50 years.
The Town of Hoosick Lions Club was chartered in 1960. Cambridge was our
sponsoring club. A photo of the original 26 charter members is shown below.
Page 25
Town of Hoosick Lions Club
We Serve
The Town of Hoosick Lions Club invites you to our
50th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, June 4th, 2011
6:00 P.M. - Social Hour – Cash Bar
7:00 P.M. - Dinner
Hoosick Falls Country Club
Richmond Avenue
Hoosick Falls, NY 12090
Special Guest Speaker
Douglas X. Alexander, International Director
$30.00
Dinner Choices, including coffee and desert
Prime Rib
Roast Turkey
Baked Scrod
Semi-formal or Appropriate Lions Attire
Contact Lion Peter Church for more information
518-944-8074 peterlchurch@gmail.com
R.S.V.P. BY: MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011
Please make checks payable to: Town of Hoosick Lions Club
(Please include your menu choice and your phone number or e-mail so we may contact you)
Mail to:
LION SANDY TREMBLY
138 HOME STREET
HOOSICK FALLS, NY 12090
Page 26
Swing into Spring
SAVE THE DATE
Mechanicville/Stillwater Golf Tournament
Friday, May 13, 2011
12:00 P.M.
Mechanicville Golf Course
Mechanicville, NY
Lunch, Dinner, Door Prizes.
Only $55.00 Including Cart
Contact PDG Lettie Saheim for more information.
Serving the needs of Deaf and Hard of
Hearing Persons in Warren, Washington
and Saratoga Counties and Beyond
The Association for the Hearing Impaired held their 17th Annual Be a Hear-O Dinner
Dance on Saturday April 2nd at the Six Flags Great Escape Lodge in Queensbury. It was
a wonderful evening that included a Silent Auction, dancing, music by the Marcabes
and culinary delights at Gourmet Food Stations.
For more information go to www.afthi.org
Page 27
Longtime Johnstown Lion John Genovese passed
away on Sunday, April 10th due to brain trauma
caused by a fall. He was surrounded and comforted
by his family right to the end.
The 7th Annual Saratoga Springs Lions Club Duathlon will take place on Sunday, May
29, 2011 with a start time of 8:00 am. It will once again be based at the Skidmore College
campus and surrounding area. The event is chip timed by Bay State Race Services and
the first 300 entrants will receive a free micro-mesh t-shirt. One, two and three person
teams as well as corporate teams can enter and compete for awards. Our entry fees are
the same as last year: $50 for individuals, $75 for 2-person teams and $95 for 3-person
and corporate teams. These prices are good through May 12, 2011, so we encourage you
to sign up early. Applications can be downloaded and mailed in with a check or simply
sign up online with Bay State Events through the links below. All participants will be
entered to win a special drawing for a new Queen Serta Vera Wang Mattress Set
compliments of Bare Bones Furniture.
Raffle tickets are also available for purchase at a cost of $20 each. This year's choice of
drawings to enter include: $4,000 Serotta bike; $500 Blue Sky Bicycles gift certificate;
overnight for 2 with round of golf at the Mirror Lake Inn; or a $350 lady's watch from n.
Fox Jewelers. Raffle tickets are available for purchase without having to sign up for the
event
Page 28
Lions and Leader Dog – Together for over 70 Years
It all started with ―$400 and a hatful of ideas.‖ - Donald P. Schuur.
From left to right: William Joyce with
―Neitzie,‖ Earl Morrey with ―Baron,‖ Dr.
Glenn Wheeler with ―Hilda,‖ and Paul Brown
with ―Van.‖
Quite literally, Leader Dogs for the Blind
would not exist today if not for Lions Clubs
International. Beginning with the support of
one club, LDB is now supported by Lions
Clubs from all over the world.
It all began in 1938 (if you thought 1939 – keep reading), when Charles A. Nutting, Donald P.
Schurr and S.A. Dodge led the Uptown Lions Club of Detroit in establishing a school to train
guide dogs for the blind. Their motivation was Dr. Glenn Wheeler, a fellow Uptown Lion
whose attempts to be accepted by another guide dog school proved unsuccessful. The first
students were housed at the Park Avenue Hotel in Detroit and graduated in the fall of 1938.
Three Detroit Lions Clubs held a contest among all Lions Clubs for a new name for their
venture. Over 500 names were submitted from around the world. The winning name ―Lions
Leader‖ was submitted by the Lions Club of Coulterville, Illinois.
The house rented in 1939 would have over
12,000 students in residence until its demolition
in 2003.
On April 4, 1939, (this is where 1939 comes in)
Lions Leader Dog Foundation was incorporated
as a Michigan nonprofit. In May 1939, the
Foundation leased a small farm in Rochester,
Michigan to house their new venture. Fifty
dollars per month rented a farmhouse for the
students and staff, a barn for the dogs and a
garage.
On October 8, 1939, the first class of the official Lions Leader Dog Foundation graduated. The
cost to graduate a student/dog team was $600.
Soon after incorporation, the Lions International Board of Directors requested that we remove
the word ―Lions‖ from our name because they had not sanctioned official support of the
organization. So on June 15, 1940, the new name ―Leader Dog League for the Blind‖ became
official. The remainder of the 1940s saw continued growth of the school and increased
involvement of local and nationwide Lions Clubs. Support came in the form of donations,
identifying potential students and spreading the word of Leader Dog’s work and mission.
Page 29
Many remember Pock for his dedication to
Leader Dog, to Lions and for his ever present
pipe. He is pictured here with his dog ―Shane.‖
The decade of the '50s welcomed the 1st Leader
Dog week (Dec. 3-9, 1950) in Michigan as
proclaimed by Governor G. Mennen Williams.
We received a new Executive Director in
1951, Harold ―Pock‖ Pocklington. Pock had
been on our Board of Trustees since 1948 after
he first visited Leader Dog while a District
Governor-Elect.
He would stay at Leader Dog until his death in 1986. Our global ties to the Lions began
strengthening in 1953 when S.A. Dodge served as president of Lions International, bringing
Leader Dog to the Lions at the highest possible level. Melvin Jones, founder of Lionism, gave
Leader Dog his personal endorsement in 1958. The 1960s brought continued growth at Leader
Dog in terms of number of students graduated, number of dogs trained and number of
employees on staff. In 1963, Lions International President Jorge Bird of Puerto Rico became
involved with Leader Dog when he brought a Spanish soldier, Francisco A. Garcia, who had
been blinded by a shell explosion, to get a dog. Until this time, the Lions were unable to
establish themselves in Spain because General Franco (of Spain) wasn’t interested in having
international associations in the country. However, when Garcia returned to Spain he received
much press and General Franco became aware of him. When President Bird was finally able to
get an audience with General Franco, he received approval for Lions to establish themselves in
Spain. At this meeting, General Franco recognized the Lions as the group that ―gave the dog to
someone in Barcelona.‖ The association of Lions of Spain and Leader Dog continues to this day.
Later that decade, on May 10, 1968, Leader Dog received permission to use the Lions emblem
by Lions International.
The Lions statue was moved to the Downtown Rochester facility
during one of the many renovations of our facilities. The Lions'
continued support of Leader Dog was celebrated in 1972 with the
addition of a life-size Lion to the Rochester Hills campus. The
2,200 pound statue was installed by the Shelby Township Lions
and was designed and constructed by Gan Jacobsen (who
became a long-time Trustee of Leader Dog). During this decade,
Pock, who was still serving as Executive Director of Leader Dog,
was twice elected to the Lions International Board (1974-75, 197879). Throughout the '80s, '90s and into the 21st century, the Lions
have acted as the backbone of Leader Dog. Lions Clubs
throughout the world have continued to support us and our
students financially, they have brought thousands of people who
are visually impaired through our doors, and have continued to
serve on our Board of Trustees. They are puppy raisers,
volunteers, breeding host families and so much more. Many recipients of Leader Dog services
have become Lions after experiencing their support and mission firsthand. To this day, the
mission of the Lions, ―We serve,‖ perfectly complements the Leader Dog mission of enhancing
the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired.
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NOTE: If you are a consumer, the hearing aids described below are available only
through your local Lions club; you cannot purchase them directly.
United States Lions are providing high-quality, low-cost hearing aids to hearingimpaired people of limited income through the Lions Affordable Hearing Aid Project
(Lions AHAP). Currently, Lions AHAP is offering for sale two hearing aids to Lions
clubs and Lions hearing programs through a partnership with Rexton, Inc., a hearing
aid manufacturer in Plymouth , Minnesota.
There are two affordable hearing aids. The Targa 3P hearing aid is for people with mild
to moderate hearing loss, and is a digital hearing aid worn behind-the-ear. The Targa
3HP hearing aid is for people with severe to profound hearing loss and is also a digital
hearing aid worn behind-the-ear. Each hearing aid costs $200 plus shipping which does
not include the provision of hearing tests, hearing aid fittings and ear molds. Lions have
purchased 590 Rexton hearing aids.
Lions clubs initiate assistance by deciding an individual’s eligibility based on income
criteria. A partnership with a hearing care professional is necessary to fulfill the request.
The hearing care professional conducts the hearing tests and orders the ear molds. The
Lions order the hearing aids from Lions AHAP and the hearing aids are shipped to the
hearing care professional, who programs them for the recipient and provides follow-up
care.
Lions clubs interested in the program often struggle to pay for the hearing tests, hearing
aid fittings, and follow-up visits. To address this we are pleased to announce HearUSA,
in a partnership with Lions AHAP, is now providing hearing aid services at a
significantly reduced rate to Lions clubs in ten states. Thanks to this partnership, Lions
clubs can access a complete, unilateral hearing aid solution for $603 ($218 for one
hearing aid, $350 for fitting and $35 for the ear mold). This represents a 69% savings of
the average $2,000 cost one would expect to pay. HearUSA is a comprehensive hearing
care company with 170 company-owned centers in ten states: California, Florida,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and
Pennsylvania. For the addresses and phone numbers of specific HearUSA (and HearX)
centers, go to www.hearusa.com and select ―Locate a Center‖ or see the box below for
the HearUSA offices in our district.
For more information contact Lions AHAP at LionsAHAP@lionsclubs.org or call Erin
Crouch, Program Coordinator, at 630-468-6778. Clicking here will take you to the page
on the LCIF web site with all the information as well as links to all the forms you'll
need. Click here for our District 20Y2 Lions Hearing Conservation Society
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These are the HearUSA locations in District 20Y2:
HearUSA
114 Genesse St
New Hartford, NY 13413
315-732-1512
HearUSA
Audiologist: Lion Vici Harris
2200 Burdett Ave, Suite 105
Troy, NY 12180
518-272-7323
And these are the other audiologists in the district who will work with Clubs to purchase
the Lions Affordable Hearing Aid through LCIF:
Mark Caffrey
93 Guy Park Ave.
Amsterdam , NY
518-842-5165
Saratoga Hearing Center
Mark Caffrey
242 East State St. Ext
Gloversville, NY
518-725-2620
Madison Hearing Center
Chris Raffo
1 Executive Center Drive, Suite 202
Albany, NY
518-690-2060
Maria Valli
414 Maple Ave, Suite 800
Saratoga Springs, NY
518-584-0578
The Hearing Center at Glens Falls Hosp.
Drs Debra Backus, Tammy Monroe & Dina
Foster
25 Willowbrook Drive
Queensbury, NY 12804
518-926-2060
Center for the Hearing
Dr Suzan Bogia
318 Ridge St
Queensbury, NY 12804
518-798-4800
We are always appreciative of items for The Lions Roar, the Official Newsletter of
the Lions Clubs of District 20-Y2. Ensure that your President and Secretary are aware
of the process for submittals so your club can be included. Please submit your
information to Stephen@sheldonmansion.com in common formats such as e-mails,
Word, Excel and Adobe Acrobat. Photos should be in a normal size. We can shrink
them as necessary. Any submission is subject to changes as determined in the sole
discretion of the Editor.
Be certain to send your submission by the deadline, which is the 28th of each month.
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TM
Hometown Training
“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and
the blind can see.”
-Mark Twain
It’s a Three Dog Night,
It’s a Big Success
Date: April 18, 2011
Freedom Guide Dogs held its first banquet fundraiser, It’s a Three Dog Night, on
Thursday, April 14 at Daniele’s on Seneca Turnpike. The event, MC’d by WKTV’s Gary
Liberatore, was attended by nearly 200 people and raised more than $8,000.
The evening began with a silent auction displaying over 70 items with a collective value
of more than $7,000. The award ceremony honored a top therapy dog, top service dog
and top pet dog, all of which were in attendance. Following the ceremony, a video
about Freedom’s origin and mission provided a heart-felt look into how the
organization began, its growth and goals for the future. Freedom’s founders, Eric and
Sharon Loori, even spoke briefly to their cause, receiving a standing ovation from the
audience.
For more information about Freedom Guide Dogs, visit www.freedomguidedogs.org
Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. was founded by Sharon & Eric Loori in 1992.Freedom
Guide Dogs is a non-profit organization committed to raising, training and placing dogs to
guide the blind through a distinctive program of “Hometown Training.” This program is active
throughout the Northeastern United States and allows training to take place in a familiar
environment where the client lives, works and enjoys daily life. Freedom’s services are at no
charge to our clients and are made possible through generous support from individuals and
organizations dedicated to giving blind people and their families the freedom of a guide dog.
Contact: Nicole White
Freedom Guide Dogs
1210 Hardscrabble Rd.
Cassville, NY 13318
Ph. (315) 822-5132
Email: nicole@freedomguidedogs.org
Web: www.freedomguidedogs.org
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Internationally accredited guide dog
school
providing
greater
independence, dignity, and new
horizons of opportunity
44 Days until the Golf Classic! NY Giants
Quarterback Eli Manning returns on June 13 to
host our school’s major fundraiser. There are still
ways to get involved in the almost sold-out event.
For as little as $500, you can sponsor a hole! This is
a once-a-year opportunity - contact Michelle Brier
at 914 243 2208 or mbrier@guidingeyes.org to
discover how you can help.
Win a BMW or a pair of Rolex Watches
Support Guiding Eyes by purchasing a ticket in our annual car raffle!
This year, try your chances at winning a 2012 BMW 128i OR a pair of
gorgeous Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches. The drawing takes place at
the
Guiding
Eyes
Golf
Classic,
held
on
June
13,
2011.
Visit
www.guidingeyes.org/raffle to learn more.
<http://www.guidingeyes.org/phplist/lists/lt.php?id=YUVXAFAFWwkNGgtRRFcAU1FX>
Lions Club International Mission Statement
To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs,
encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs
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