Fairmont Lions Club > Newsletter (Text Only)

The Mane Growl

March 2024 (Abridged)

Club Supports Lions Charities

The Fairmont Lions Club was part of the “Parade of Checks” at the District 29L Conference held in Vienna, WV in March. PDG Bob Moffett attended the event and delivered the club's donations.

Lions Clubs International Foundation $500; WV Lions Sight Conservation Foundation 600; Camp Kno-Koma (Diabetes Camp) 250; Deaf and Blind Recreation 75; Total: $1,425; Total donations from all District 29L clubs was over $30,000.

Leo Club Informational Meeting

Fred Cannon has been promoting the formation of a Community Leo Club in the area and scheduled an informational meeting for March 19, 2024 at the conference room inside Middletown Commons. The day of the event, Aletta and Bob Moffett joined Fred to help get the room ready. The three waited and waited, but no Leo prospects showed up. “If at first you don't succeed...” The club certainly appreciates all of Fred's time and effort.

Dr. James E. Coleman 1928-2024

The Fairmont Lions Club lost a Past President and active member on February 16, 2024, at the age of 95. He remained active in the club, having attended the January 11, 2024 club meeting with his wife, Elizabeth Swiger. His first wife Joyce predeceased him.

In 1986, Jim began using desktop publis-hing using a computer to assemble “The Mane Growl,” replacing mimeograph and Ditto machines.

As long as he was able, Jim could be found walking door to door selling brooms or filling balloons with helium to promote the club's “White Cane Day,” or doing whatever it took to keep the Lions club operating smoothly. With Elizabeth, Jim attended the Lions Internatioal Convention in Minneapolis, MN, in 2009.

Jim was president of the Fairmont Lions Club in 1984-1985 and received Lions Clubs International Founda-tion's (LCIF) Melvin Jones Fellowship in 2009 followed by Progressive MJFs in 2014, 2016 and 2018. He was presented the WV Lions Sight Con-servation Foundation Leoanard Jarrett Award during the 2000-2001 club year. Jim joined the Fairmont Lions Club in January of 1978.

Family Literacy Fair Set for April 27

Aletta Moffett met with the Board of Education planners for this year's Family Literacy Fair and reports the date to be Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. The Fairmont Lions Club will set up our booth Friday morning, April 26 at 9:00 am. Lions should show up on Saturday for the event by 9:30 am to be ready for the doors to open at 10:00 am. The club has books to give to children and we will provide vision screening for the children. 1,000 families are expected to attend and we need as many Lions as possible to assist us.

Lions to Attend “Night of Hope”

Jacci Maier, of the Union Mission, site of the club's Christmas Party for children, invited Lions to attend the Mission's “Night of Hope” banquet on April 13. Members Virginia Gallion, Nancy Sickles and David Sturm plan to attend.

Adopt-A-Trail Clean-up Set for April 13

The Fairmont Lions Club will begin another season of rail-trail clean-up on Saturday, April 13 at 2:00 pm. We will clean the West Fork River Trail between the Norway (Fairmont) and Monongah trailheads. This project involves a walk of approximately two miles and a couple of hours to complete. Two teams will work, starting from each trailhead and meeting near the middle of the trail section. Please wear sturdy gloves. Pick-up “grabbers” are recommended.

Vision Screening

Sunbeam Early Learning Center was the site for this season's pre-school vision screening. Virginia Gallion and Bob Moffett screened 50 children ranging in age from six months to six years old. Two of the children were referred to be seen by an eyecare professional.

Some early childhood vision issues, such as amblyopia, can lead to permanent vision loss, but can be successfully treated if caught at an early age. For that reason, the Fairmont Lions Club has focused especially on the preschool ages, although we screen older children as well, and have conducted screening events for adults in the past.

“The devastation we’ve seen as a result of this earthquake is truly heartbreaking and impacted people of all ages,” said Lions International President Dr. Patti Hill. “We hope this grant project can bring a small bit of relief to the youth in the region, by rebuilding a place where they can gather to comfort each other as well as continue to learn.”

Members Visit Clubs

Zone Chairperson and Fairmont Lions Club President Bob Brummage and Past District Governor Bob Moffett visited the Barrackville Lions Club for their District Governor Visit on March 21st. District Governor Dan Heintzman addressed the club and worked with them to assist the club with several issues. Former Fairmont Lions Club Associate member PDG Tracy Smith also attended.

Aletta and Bob Moffett attended the Clarksburg Lions Club's 100th Charter Night Program meeting, a celebration of their 100th Anniversary, on March 23rd.

Years ago, clubs received credits in the district Visitation Contest for making interclub visits. The contest is no more, but there is still much to be gained and friends to be made through visits to other clubs.

Club Set for 2024-2025 Officer Elections on April 11, 2024

The Nominations Committee, which consisted of Lions Fred Cannon and David Sturm, presented a slate of officers for the coming Lions year at the March 14th meeting. Once the slate was presented, the floor was opened for nominations. Virginia Gallion was nominated for treasurer. With no further nominations to be made, the nominations were closed. No nominations from the floor may be made at the Elections Meeting on April 11, 2024.

Club officers for 2024-2025 will be selected from the following:

President__________________Bob Brummage
Vice President___________ Guy Ward
Secretary________________ Bob Moffett
Treasurer____(Vote for 1) Virginia Gallion
David Sturm
Directors____(Vote for 4) _Fred Cannon
Daniel Stutler
Elizabeth Swiger
Rex Zickefoose
Membership Chairperson Fred Cannon
LCIF Coordinator__________ Aletta Moffett
Tail Twister________________ Rex Zickefoose

Members must be present at the meeting to vote.

Lions International Mission

Our mission is to empower Lions clubs, volunteers and partners to improve health and wellbeing, strengthen communities, and support those in need through humanitarian service and grants that impact lives globally, and encourage peace and international understanding.

Need for Eyeglasses Assistance Continues

Keith Long, Eyeglasses Committee Chairperson, reported that the Fairmont Lions Club has approved one inidividual for an eye exam and glasses for February. None were approved for January. At the March club meeting, Treasurer Bob Brummage reported that the club had $64 available for eyeglasses. Long offered $60 to help the club out with eyeglasses, as a dozen applications had been approved since the last bill was paid by the club. Brummage agreed to match the donation and, at the meeting, Elizabeth Swiger along with Rex and Carol Zickefoose also agreed to match Long's and Brummage's donations. These Lions all serve from the heart.

Certificate Presented

Tanya Waters, of Middletown Commons, was presented a Certificate of Thanks by President Bob Brummage at the March 14th meeting. She has supported the club's E-Waste Recycling Program and was a guest at the March 14th meeting.

Community E-Waste Recycling

Fred Cannon is planning for a community E-waste Recycling event on Saturday, May 18, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. The location is yet to be determined, but please mark this date on your calendar and plan to join us.

Permanent Meeting Location

Pres. Bob Brummage announced that the club now has a “regular” meeting location — Apple Annie's at Middletown Commons. We are now scheduled to meet on the second Thursday of every month. Meetings begin at 6:00 pm and we order from their menu. We have been meeting there, but each meeting of those past meetings had to be individually arranged.

CODE OF ETHICS

TO SHOW my faith in the worthiness of my vocation by industrious application to the end that I may merit a reputation for quality of service. TO SEEK success and to demand all fair remuneration or profit as my just due, but to accept no profit or success at the price of my own self-respect lost because of unfair advantage taken or because of questionable acts on my part. TO REMEMBER that in building up my business it is not necessary to tear down another’s; to be loyal to my clients or customers and true to myself. WHENEVER a doubt arises as to the right or ethics of my position of action towards others, to resolve such doubt against myself. TO HOLD friendship as an end and not a means. To hold that true friendship exists not on account of the service performed by one to another, but that true friendship demands nothing but accepts service in the spirit in which it is given. ALWAYS bear in mind my obligations as a citizen to my nation, my state and my community, and to give them my unswerving loyalty in word, act and deed. To give them freely of my time, labor and means. TO AID others by giving my sympathy to those in distress, my aid to the weak, and my substance to the needy. TO BE CAREFUL with my criticism and liberal with my praise; to build up and not destroy.

We're On A Mission To Grow

MISSION 1.5 is the drive to reach 1.5 million members worldwide, so we can better meet the growing needs of our communities and serve more people than ever before. Global change comes from local efforts. When we invite new members to our clubs and build new vibrant clubs, it does more than make our communities stronger. It makes the world a kinder, healthier, and better place to live. Every Lion has an important part to play. Together, we can grow Lions International to extraordinary new heights, serving an untold number of people in need. Achieving District 29L's goal to reach 1,500 members will greatly enhance efforts to reach Lions International's goal. Invite someone you know to join with us.

Lions Receive Membership Chevrons

President Bob Brummage, accom-panied by Bob Moffett, paid a visit to two members who have been unable to participate recently, due to health. Along with a good visit with friends, Pres. Brummage presented both with membership chevrons and a letter from Lions Interna-tional President Dr. Patti Hill congratulating them for their years of dedicated service to the Fairmont Lions Club. Beulah Miller received her 15 year chevron and said to tell everyone “Hi.” Columbus Carpenter received his 10 year chevron. They have both been very active Lions and we hope they can return to our meetings and activities.

Club Recycles Used Eyeglasses

Bob Moffett delivered 193 pairs of used eyeglasses to the District 29L Conference and helped load eyeglasses from around the district into the back of a truck to be transpor-ted to the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center in Roanoke, VA.

Leroy Humberston 1928-2024

Leroy Humberston was a Transfer Charter Member of the Whitehall Lions Club in 1979 and transferred his membership to the Fairmont Lions Club in February of 2013 after the Whitehall Lions Club closed. He died February 28, 2024.

As long as he was able, Leroy was active and could be counted on to serve at fundraising activities and service events such as the Family Literacy Fair. He most recently served as a club Director in the 2022-2023 Lions year.

Leroy was a recipient of the WV Lions Sight Conservation Foundation's Leornard Jarrett Award. He was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn, son Karl Humberston and all of his seven siblings.

2019-2020 Fairmont Lions Club Service Activities July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024

People Served: 1,576 Service Activities Completed: 35
Volunteer Hours: 428 Funds Donated: $1,425

Calendar

Calendar (subject to change) The Fairmont Lions Club meets at Apple Annie's the 2nd Thursday of each month, 6:00 pm.

Apr. 11 Elections Meeting Apple Annie's Middletown Commons 6:00 pm

Apr. 13 Adopt-A-Trail West Fork River Trail Norwood - Monongah 2:00 pm

Apr Apr. 26-28 MD29 Lions State Convention Glade Springs

Apr. 27 Family Literacy Fair FSHS Field House Mary Lou Retton Dr. 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Jun. 21-25 Lions International Convention Melbourne, Australia

Sept. 5-7 USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum Louisville, KY

This Issue's Quote

“God does not present insurmountable problems. Instead, he gives us challenges, waits for us to overcome them, and then rejoices.” —Michael Hingson (Survivor of the 9/11 attack on the North Tower of the World Trade Center in 2001, guided out from his 78th floor office by his guide dog Roselle.)

Just A Lion Or Two

Daniel Stutler has experienced a problem with his legs.

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PDG Bob Moffett, Editor


"WE SERVE"