Believe in Lions, Believe in Service, Believe in Miracles INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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1 INSIDE THIS ISSUE DISTRICT 22W NEWS Issue 11, May 1, 2012 Stephen Finger, District Governor 206 Forest Drive, LaVale, MD , Home Club: LaVale DG s Message 1/9 - DG s Schedule 3-4 1st VDG s Message 4-2 nd VDG s Message 4-6 Calendar of Events 6-7 Congratulations 7-8 Take Note 8-9 New Members 9 - With Sympathy 9 - Roster Book Changes 9 - Education Corner DG S SCHEDULE May Glade Valley CN 5 Hagerstown CN 7 New Market District CN 9-12 MD 22 Convention, Salisbury 15 White Cane Banquet Western Regions 17 North Hagerstown CN 18 Mt. Savage - Mason Dixon CN 19 LVRF Trustee Meeting 21 Clear Spring CN 23 Boonsboro CN 28 National Memorial Day Parade, Washington, DC 31 White Cane Banquet Eastern Regions See Page (9) for the DG s June 2012 Schedule. Believe in Lions, Believe in Service, Believe in Miracles Were You Part of the Success This Month? The Second Annual 22-W Melvin Jones Fellow Luncheon, at the Hagerstown Hotel on April 14, 2012, was a total success. Attendance was 142 MJFs, PMJFs and guests. Former International President, Dr. Clement Kusiak, Maryland, gave us an excellent perspective on the Lions Clubs International Foundation, Inc., and how its global reach makes such a positive impact on the lives of so many people. FIP Clem spoke eloquently on the Lions Measles Initiative and challenged the Lions of 22-W to participate in the Grant Challenge, by making a club or personal donation to LCIF, and designate the funds for the Measles Initiative. The goal is to raise $10 million by June 30, which will be matched with $5 million for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Leader Dogs for the Blind Week in 22-W, April 23-26, 2012, was a great success. Our Leader Dog companion team this year, Lion Jim Platzer of Ft. Wayne, Indiana and companion, Madison, or, Maddy, proved up to the busy schedule, sharing a compelling story that moved everyone I came in contact with at four regional dinners. Leader Dog Chairperson, John Parker, did an excellent job and Lions Sandy Parker, Sam Bailey, Stephanie Bailey, Dennis & Sandy Youngblood, Donna Jackman, Henry B. Wilson, William Stonesifer, and Barry Frazee were all instrumental in making this a great week. Lastly, I thank you, Lions of 22-W, for contributing over $22,000; with more to come. It was gratifying to witness the compassion and determination we Lions can muster when we support a worthy cause. The 1,000,000 Tree Planting Campaign Makes a Statement that must be shared. April is the month, we were advised, that we should focus our environmental tree planting effort. How well District 22-W Lions responded is just amazing. There is a separate article to wrap up the effort to date; however I will tell you that 1

2 wonderful projects in all four regions, working with hundreds of community volunteers, made a big statement. For now, we can report that at least 36 clubs have planted 5,620 trees in 62 separate planting activities. What great projects we have seen around the district this month. Fund-Raisers and Service Projects Were Everywhere. The WMMR club Service Activity Reports, websites, newsletters and local media reports tell us that the Lions are busy from Oakland and Kitzmiller, all the way east to Mount Airy, Hampstead, and Silver Run; as well as south to Brunswick and Sharpsburg; and north to Harney and Emmitsburg. Thanks so much, Lions of 22-W. You prove everyday why I Believe in Lions Believe in Service and Believe in Miracles New York, as our International Guest. Come out and have a great time in fellowship as we conduct the District s business and move our organization forward. May 28th is Memorial Day and I encourage clubs to participate in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC. This is the fourth year Lions have been honored to participate as two-star sponsors and it is an opportunity to pay tribute to our fallen Soldier Heroes. Contact Lion Richard Pickett, New Market District Lions Club, at rdpickett1@verizon.net to sign up. It is easier than you think! DG Stephen Finger Looking Ahead in May May is Recycle for Sight Month. District 22- W has a really active eyeglass-recycling program. You can list your eyeglass collection locations with Lions Clubs International. When the public uses the Internet to look up where to donate used eyeglasses, your club locations are displayed. Remember to include the, Sharing the Vision, Global Service Activity Campaign when reporting vision projects. May is White Cane Week for Lions around the world. White Cane Days in District 22-W benefit the Medical Eye Bank of Maryland, now part of TBI, Tissue Banks International. The Lions of 22-W were instrumental in sponsoring the original Maryland Eye Bank years ago. The two White Cane Dinners for 22-W are May 15th at the LaVale Volunteer Fire Hall and May 21st at the VFW Hall in Westminster. Contact 22-W Conservation Robert Davis, in the Roster Book, for more information. May 9-12 is the Multiple District 22 90th Annual Convention, in Salisbury, Maryland. We will be hosting Lions International Director Douglas X. Alexander from Brooklyn, Tree-mendous Program Exceeds All Expectations - by DG Steve The 1,000,000 Tree Planting Program in District 22-W has exceeded all our expectations and I want start by thanking our District Environment/Tree Program Chairperson, Lion Francis Champ Zumbrun, of the LaVale Lions Club. Lion Champ worked tirelessly, since before the Lions Year began, to develop a concept plan to bring tree campaign information to all our clubs. And, it worked great! Lion Champ made presentations to Cabinet, Region, Zone, and Club meetings throughout the District, and paired many clubs with available projects that fit well with the club s abilities and desires. As the District Governor, it was gratifying to learn of the great projects 2

3 developed; like the Mason-Dixon Lions project to partner with the American Chestnut Tree Foundation to plant 94 blight resistant American Chestnuts; or the Williamsport Lions partnership with Washington County Schools Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program to plant 220 trees; or the Deer Park Lions partnership with the Fourth Grade Foresters program to plant 110 trees; or the Middletown Lions partnership with a local Home Owners Association to replace Chesapeake Bay habitat, 849 trees, a project that the Roaring Run Lions also did with individual land-owners for 100 trees. The Sharpsburg Lions partnered with the Antietam National Battlefield to restore tree-land to it s original condition of 150 years ago; the Hagerstown Lions partnered with a local Middle School to plant 75 good sized trees; no seedlings there. The Deep Creek Lake Lions partnered with an elementary school for 250 trees and had our Tree Chairperson entertaining them with his guitar and singing Smokey the Bear! What great, innovative, imaginative projects! I was honored to join the Thurmont Lions in planting one singular tree; but what a significant tree it was. It was a Remembrance Tree, planted at the Memorial Park on the 10 th Anniversary of the September 11, 2011 terrorist attacks on our nation. The tree is dedicated to the greatest sacrifice made by those soldier heroes from the Thurmont area who perished in the Iraq-Afghanistan wars; a conflict that continues today. There are many Lions to recognize for the great work they did on this project, and I ll not be able to list them all. I would like, however, to make note of two Lions who were inspired to do something big. Lion Vonnie Crum of the Glade Valley Lions got together with the Maryland Forest Service, who developed a forestation plan for Woodsboro Regional Park. Lions Clubs from Frederick County were invited to participate and the Frederick FSK and Libertytown-Unionville Lions responded. The Glade Valley and Libertytown-Unionville Lions brought along youth groups like Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H Clubs, and High School Key Clubs, and planted 1,000 trees in 2 ½ hours on a Saturday morning. Then there is Potomac Valley Lions Club Vice President, Kathi Herbert. Lion Kathi, a management employee at NewPage paper company, developed a partnership between the Lions and NewPage that made 3,150 loblolly pine trees available at no cost to Lions Clubs in Garrett and Allegany Counties in Maryland, and Mineral County in West Virginia. What a great gesture, and what a great project! So, as of this writing, there are 36 clubs sponsoring 62 activities and planting 5,620 trees. What a difference these trees will make in our district over the years to come! All I can say is, Thank you, Lions. Words of Wisdom When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened. Helen Keller All of the Lions and guests that were able to attend one of the Leader Dog sessions witnessed another amazing testimony about how the Leader Dog Program has helped another individual. Jim Platzer presented a heart-warming story about his plight through life, while slowly losing his vision, until he was forced to retire at age 49. After several years of using a cane he decided it was time to go to get a Leader Dog. Maddie (his leader dog) has changed his life, as we have heard in numerous Leader Dog testimonials. 3

4 (14,000) Jim Platzer s have received a Leader Dog and again gained independence and mobility with, as Lynn Quinn said, a left hand full of Lions love. MD 22 ranks seventh in the world for donations to the Leader Dog Program and last year every club in District 22 W gave generously to Leader Dog. I Believe we will reach that goal again this year. Every Lion can be proud of, not only what we do for the Leader Dog Program, but for all of the generous donations that are made in our communities, MD 22 Foundations and to LCIF. Many hours of planning, preparing and implementing fund-raisers for these causes are what Lions do. Many times we never see the results or fruits of our labor, however someone in need does, and that is why We Serve. God bless you all for what you do! Lion Paul Cannada, 1VDG May is a busy time for Lions. May is White Cane Week World Wide in Lionism. I would hope that all Clubs would donate as much as they can afford and attend the White Cane Banquets in your region. May 9-12 is the MD22 Convention in Salisbury. If you haven t registered yet, NOW is the time. I hope to see you there. There are many Club Charter Nights this time of the year. If you are one of those Lions who has never attended another Clubs Charter Night, give it a try. You will make some new Lion friends and help that club in their celebration. I am humbly asking for your support at the convention and hope to meet and greet as many of you as possible in Salisbury. Lion Kent Eitemiller, 2VDG CALENDAR OF EVENTS May Libertytown/Unionville Lions, Spouse s Night Out. 1 Yellow Springs Lions, Citizens & Montevue Bingo. 2 Mount Airy 4 County Lions & Mt. Airy Lions, Diamond Jubilee Dinner, in association with the Mt. Airy Rotary Club and Mt. Airy Kiwanis Club. 2 Smithsburg Lions, Ham/Beef Sandwich Sale. 3 Glade Valley Lions, 59 th Charter Night. 3 Silver Run Union Mills Lions, 51 st Charter Night. 4 New Market District Lions, Monocacy Elementary School Concession. 4-6 LaVale Lions, Chicken Barbeque. 5 Westminster Lions, Basket Bingo. 5 Lonaconing Lions, Chicken Barbeque. 5 Cumberland Lions, Trash Pick-up. 5 Hagerstown Lions, 90 th Charter Night. 5 Yellow Spring Lions, 54 th Charter Night. 5 Mt. Airy Lions, Clyde Gibson Memorial Fishing Derby. 5 6 Taylorsville-Winfield Lions, Annual Lion-Size Yard Sale. 6 Terra Rubra Lions, Firemen Appreciation Day. 7 New Market District Lions, Charter Night. 8 Hampstead Lions, Work Night at the Park. 9 New Windsor Lions, Community Educators Recognition Night Multiple District 22 Convention, Salisbury, Maryland. 10 Westminster Lions, Friendship Night. 10 Hampstead Lions, Work Night at the Park. 10 South Carroll Lioness-Lions, Oakland Manor Assisted Living Facility Worldwide Lion s White Cane Week. (See Attached White Cane Days Brochure) 12 Terra Rubra Lions, $1200 Cash Club/Dinner. 12 Williamsport Lions, Children s Village. 12 Yellow Springs Lions, Bingo. 12 Francis Scott Key Lions, FSK Lions Night at Frederick Keys Baseball Game. 13 Happy Mother s Day! 15 Libertytown/Unionville Lions, Education Night. 4

5 15 Region I & II White Cane Banquet, LaVale Volunteer Fire Hall. 17 Williamsport Lions, Homewood Bingo. 17 Hagerstown Lioness, Raven Wood Bingo. 17 North Hagerstown Lions, Charter Night. 17 National Federation of the Blind Maryland Chapter (NFBMD) is hosting a Possibilities Fair for Seniors Losing Vision, 18 Mt. Savage Mason-Dixon Lions, Charter Night. 19 LVRF Trustee Meeting. 19 Middletown Lions, P.O.T.S. (Previously Owned Treasure Sale)/Middletown Festival. 19 Hampstead Lions, Hampstead Days. 19 Cumberland Lions, Chicken Barbecue. 19 Yellow Springs Lions, Bingo. 19 Silver Run Union Mills Lions, Road Clean-up. 19 Sharpsburg Lions, Highway Clean-up Smithsburg Lions, Pride Days. 20 Terra Rubra Lions, Friendship/Membership Day. 20 West Hagerstown Lions, Breakfast for Wagon Train. 20 Hagerstown Lions, Cash Bingo Fund-raiser. 20 Overlea Lions (22-A), Bus Trip to Delaware Park New Market District Lions Fund-Raising Cruise aboard the Celebrity Summit to Bermuda. 21 Clear Springs Lions, 63 rd Charter Night. 21 New Market Lions, Scholarship Evening. 21 West Hagerstown Lions, Scholarship Night. 22 Francis Scott Key Lions, Scholarship/Charity Night. 22 Taneytown Lions, Sports Night West Hagerstown Lions, Ham Sandwich Sale. 23 New Windsor Lions, Armed Forces Appreciation & Banner of Honor Dinner. 23 Boonsboro Lions, 81 st Charter Night. 23 Smithsburg Lions, Scholarships presented to Smithsburg High School students. 23 Funkstown Lions, Spring Basket Bingo Hampstead Lions, Work Night at the Park 25 6/2 Middletown Lions, Boonsboro Carnival. 26 Thurmont Lions, Sandwich Sale. 26 Friendsville Lions, Chicken Barbeque. 26 Williamsport Lions, Spring Steak Feed. 26 Sharpsburg Lions, Memorial Day Parade Hot- Dog Stand Deer Park Lions, Gamber Carnival. 27 Back in the Saddle BBQ & Jousting Show to benefit the Maryland School for the Blind Therapeutic Horse-Riding Program. You can also sponsor the students on-line at 28 National Memorial Day Parade, Washington, DC. (See Attached Fact Sheet ) 31 Grantsville Lions host The Kelly Miller Circus 31 Region IV, Zone III Golf Tournament, to benefit Diabetes Research and the Lions Saving Sight Foundation. 31 Region III & IV White Cane Banquet, Westminster VFW. June New Market District Lions, Centerville Elementary School Concession. 2 Longmeadow Lions, Kid s Stuff Yard Sale. 2- Grantsville Lions, Town Yard Sale 2 Grantsville Lions, 51 st Annual Cash Drawing. 2 - Cumberland Lions, Trash Pick-up. 2 Lion s Club Officer Training, Allegany College. 2 22W Administrative Turnover Meeting, Cumberland. 3 Middletown Lions, Spaghetti Dinner. 4 West Hagerstown Lions, 32 nd Charter Night. 4-9 Mount Airy Lions, Annual Carnival. 5 Libertytown/Unionville Lions, Community Appreciation & Awards Night. 5 LaVale Lions, Installation of Officers. 6 Cumberland Lions, Installation of Officers. 7 Westminster Lions, Steak Feed. 9 Francis Scott Key Lions, Trash Pick-up. 9 Lion s Club Officer Training, Carroll Community College. 11 Mount Airy 4 County Lions, Golf Outing, Links at Challendon Golf Course. 13 New Windsor Lions, No Meeting/Fire Company Carnival Fund-Raiser Myersville-Middletown Lions, Golf Tournament, Hollow Creek Golf Club. 13 Smithsburg Lions, Charter Night/Installation of Officers. 14 Longmeadow Lions, Installation of Officers Middletown Lions, Engine Show at Carnival Grounds. 16 August 17 Cycling for Leader Dogs. Visit Lion Mark Mandell s blog to follow his journey and donate. ( 5

6 16 Thurmont Lions, Sandwich Sale. 16 Williamsport Lions, Trash Pick-Up. 16 Cumberland Lions, Chicken Barbeque. 16 New Market District Lions, Installation of Officers. 18 Smithsburg Lions, Blood Drive. 18 West Hagerstown Lions, Installation of Officers. 18 Terra Rubra Lions, Installation of Officers. 18 Hancock Lioness, Charter Anniversary. 19 Libertytown/Unionville Lions, Charter Night. 20 Roaring Runs Lions, Super Summer Cookout Package Raffle. 21 Oldtown Lions, Charter Night/Installation of Officers. 22- Hampstead Lions, Golf Outing, Swing for Sight International Convention, Busan, Republic of Korea. 23 Frederick Lions, 90 th Charter Night. 23 Terra Rubra Lions, Crab Feed. 23 Clear Spring Lions, American Revolution Group Meal. 24 Lineboro-Manchester Lions, Swim-a-Thon for Special Olympics. 26 Francis Scott Key Lions, Installation of Officers. 26 Yellow Springs Lions, Installation of Officers. 26 Hampstead Lions, Installation of Officers. 27 Smithsburg Lions, Installation of Officers. 27 New Windsor Lions, Installation of Officers. 27 Funkstown Lions, Installation of Officers. 28 Williamsport Lions, Installtion of Officers. including President for two years, and has 100 % attendance since joining the club. Pictured left to right: District 22-W District Governor, Steve Finger of LaVale, Acting President of Lonaconing Lions Club, Ebb Spiker, Award Recipient Lion Edna Beeman, Lonaconing, and PDG Lion Joe Harris, Lonaconing, who presented the award. Lion Wes Powell of the LaVale Lions Club was awarded the Melvin Jones Award. Lioness Joan Bachtell of the Hagerstown Lioness Club was awarded the Melvin Jones Award. The Hampstead Lions Club recently honored Elizabeth Foyle, world languages teacher at North Carroll High School, for her service contributions to the community. District 22W is proud to announce the following recipients of rewards/recognition for their clubs/community: Lonaconing Lion s Club Member Edna Beeman received the highest honor of Melvin Jones Fellowship Award recently. She has been an active member since 1999, has held many offices, We have been giving awards and recognizing community members for more than 25 years, Sew said. This is the first year we have honored a teacher for service to the community. She received a plaque at the Annual Lion s Club Community Service Recognition Dinner. Receiving the award was an incredible honor, said Foyle. She is proud to represent teachers who work hard in and out of the classroom. 6

7 by PDG Marion Carmack, who introduced the Keynote Speaker, Past International President Clement Kusiak, who enlightened those present regarding the history of LCIF and the MJF program, with updates of what LCIF is doing worldwide to make a difference, the latest of which is the Lions Measles Initiative. It was a remarkable event, made even more remarkable, as seven members of the Kitzmiller Lions Club were presented their Melvin Jones Fellow plaques and pins by DG Steve Finger and PIP Clem Kusiak, making the Kitzmiller Lions Club a Model Club. Pictured from left: Commissioner Haven Shoemaker, Foyle, Principal Kim Dolch, and Hampstead Lion s Club President, Dennis Sew. The final note of business was that, with a unanimous vote, the MJF Luncheon would continue next year! TAKE NOTE Melvin Jones Fellow Luncheon (142) turned out on Saturday, April 14, for the second annual District 22-W Melvin Jones Fellow Luncheon, held at the Hagerstown Hotel and Convention Center in Hagerstown. Chaired by the District 22-W LCIF chairperson, PDG Barbara McKenney, of the Kitzmiller Lions Club, all Melvin Jones Fellows present agreed that the luncheon was a roaring success. The annual event, now in its infancy, boasted nearly a 40% increase in attendance from the inaugural event with 27 Lions Clubs represented. Starting with a social hour, which most found so enjoyable that getting Lions to sit down for lunch was a major undertaking, everyone sat down to a hearty lunch of either Prime Rib or Herbed Chicken Breast with Lemon Sauce. After opening remarks by PDG Barb, DG Stephen Finger addressed the group, followed Pictured, from left to right are: PIP Clem Kusiak, Lion William F. Ferry, Sr., MJF recipient, DG Steve Finger, Lion William F. Ferry, Jr., MJF recipient, Lion Jennifer Paugh, MJF recipient, Lion Dale Lipscomb, MJF recipient, PDG Barbara McKenney, Lion Robert Reckart, MJF recipient, Lion Stephanie Schoc, 1st VP of the Kitzmiller Lions Club, Lion Brian White, MJF recipient, and Lion Daniel Paugh, MJF recipient. American Heritage and Patriotism Essay Contest The winning entries in the District 22-W American Heritage and Patriotism Essay Contest were announced by Contest 7

8 Chairperson, Lion Larry Stambaugh, of the Terra Rubra Lions Club. The winning essay authors are: Elementary School: Noah Barth, Thurmont Elementary School, sponsored by Thurmont Lions Club. Middle School: Zoe Maliszewskyj, Middletown Middle School, sponsored by Middletown Lions Club. High School: Olivia Rowe, Clear Spring High School, sponsored by Clear Spring Lions Club. Adult Lion: Lion Thomas Knode, sponsored by Clear Spring Lions Club. Congratulations to all the winning entrants and thank you to all our participants and contest workers! The Leader Dog Rallies had a great start as the Lonaconing Lion s Club hosted the dynamic team of Jim Platzer and his leader dog "Maddy". Jim told his heart-warming, eyeopening story of what it has meant to him to have such a great dog and the perspective it has given him; he has regained his self-worth and his life has new meaning. Submitted by Sandy Youngblood, Lonaconing Lion s Club Treasurer (See Attached Leader Dog Letter ) The Lineboro-Manchester Lion s Club has an abundance of wheel chairs, walkers and other hospital equipment. If your club can use them, please contact Lion Chuck Miller: Cbdmiller1@juno.com SPOTLIGHT ON NEW MEMBERS OUR NEW DISTRICT 22-W LIONS Fellow LIONS, Governor Steve Finger and all of us in District 22-W, welcome all of you and wish you many years of accomplishments and completed goals: DG Steve Finger, Dr. Judith Goldstein, Lion Jim Platzer, and Leader Dog, Maddy, at the Lions Low Vision Center. Lions Carol A. DeGrange, Roy W. DeGrange and Gayla R. Magnus - Brunswick Lions Club Lion William D. Wivell - Emmitsburg Lions Club Lion Gilbert L. Fleming, Freedom District Lions Club Lion Thomas E. Long - Greater Carroll Lions Club Lion Michael B. Kesecker - Rawlings Potomac Valley Lions Club Lions Ruthanne M. Lillis and Betty J. Stockslager - Silver Run Union Mills Lions Club Lion Sharon W. Cook - Williamsport Lions Club We hope that you will find that your club s goals will be enhanced by what your hands in service will 8

9 bring, and that as you grow as a Lion you will be inspired to participate in as many events and activities as needed. In this way, you will find that even though we are many, we are all ONE, focused on making our communities and the world a better place each day. Again, welcome! Now that you have your very own Roster Book, refer to it often. It lists our 22-W clubs and lots of valuable details and dates of events. On page (93) you will find a list of all the Websites you may need. Compact and informative! Yours in Lionism and Service, Lion D Ana L. Pickett 22-W Administrative Assistant dianaluz40@yahoo.com 301/ WITH SYMPATHY Middletown Lions Club: We offer our sympathy to Lion Phyllis Thompson, President of the Middletown Lions Club, on the passing of her mother, Helen Marie Waters Gladhill. New Windsor Lions Club: Lion Jim Carlisle, a Melvin Jones Fellow, recently passed away. EDUCATION CORNER Mobilize Your Community to Collect Eyeglasses May is "Lions Recycle for Sight Month" - a chance for your club to mobilize your community to donate unused eyeglasses and sunglasses. Glasses you collect and send to a Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center can help bring sight to children and adults throughout the world. To get started, contact local businesses, places of worship, schools, libraries and offices and invite them to host a collection box. DG s Schedule June W Administration Turnover Meeting, Cumberland 4 West Hagerstown Lions CN 6 Cumberland Installation of Officers 13 Smithsburg CN/Installation of Officers 18 Hancock Lioness Charter Anniversary 19 Libertytown-Unionville CN 21 Oldtown Lions CN/Installation of Officers 23 Frederick CN 26 Yellow Springs Installation of Officers 28 Williamsport Installation of Officers Valley Lions Club: 1 st Vice President Lion Terry Lee Jenkins passed away on April 15 th. ROSTER BOOK CHANGES Page 19 & 58: PDG Allan Ward s address should read lionalward@verizon.net. Page 26: Secretary of the Hampstead Lion s Club, Mat Tiahrt s address should read mattiahrt@aol.com. Page 37, 51, & 57: Lion Aldeth Moore and PDG Roger Moore have a new address: lionsramoore@myactv.net. Mission Statement of Lions Club International: To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation. 9