LORAIN LIONS REPRESENT DISTRICT 13B AT HEALTH & DENTISTRY BUILDING DEDICATION

ABOVE (left to right): IPP Lion Doug Kayle, Lion Dr. John Smith and Lion Ken Cromer attended the dedication of the new Lorain County Health & Dentistry building on Monday, July 22.  It was a very nice event and Stephanie Wiersma, President & CEO of LCH&D, spoke very positive remarks about District 13B Lions who have raised $250,000 to equip the new vision clinic which will open in September or October of this year.

This is the front entrance.  What a remarkable transformation from November 2011 at the groundbreaking ceremony for the building construction.

Senator Sherrod Brown talks about the importance of community health centers within the health care environment in serving thousands of persons with limited or no access to other sources of medical services.

Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer stressed the value to the city of restoring a strategically located major building on the main entrance to the city on Broadway.  With more projects like this one, that require making bold decisions and taking risks, the city of Lorain will open the door to a better future.

This view shows the entrance to the Vision Clinic through the glass doors on the right and the waiting room on the left right beside the main entrance reception desk.

ABOVE:  The Vision Clinic dispensary in the foreground and the clinical rooms off the hall way to the rear.  In a couple of months, this area will be stocked with state-of-the-art equipment thanks to the efforts of the Lorain Lions and District 13B's 56 clubs and over 1800 members.

This was the ceremonial ribbon cutting.  The event was attended by more than 100 guests, including the VP of the National Association of Community Health Centers. Shawn Frick.

DISTRICT GOVERNOR HENSEL VISITS LORAIN LIONS

District Governor Francis Hensel visited and spoke to the Lorain Lions at our Thursday, July 25 meeting.  Governor Hensel thanked the Lorain Lions for their leadership in the district and for their hard work on the Vision Clinic Project. He stressed the importance of using this successful project to bring in new members.

ABOVE:  Lion President Bruce Diso (left) welcomes Governor Hensel.

Lion President Bruce presents the Governor with a Lorain Lions Lighthouse pin and Governor Francis displayed his expertise and knowledge of Lions pins as he explained that there were five different versions of that pin produced by our club.  Lion Hensel is a pin collector and owns several thousand!  Lion Bruce announced that the Lorain Lions were going to be donating $50.00 to the Vision Clinic Project in Governor Hensel's name in appreciation for his visit.

RECENT SPEAKERS EDUCATE, INFORM AND ENTERTAIN

On June 27, Valerie Smith, Adult Services Supervisor at Lorain Public Library System's Main Library, presented a fascinating program about Sears "mail order" homes that were popular in the first half of the 20th century.  Many Sears homes were built in Lorain and Lorain County because of convenient access to railroad shipping.  Valerie, wife of Lion Dan Smith, showed slides of many of the styles of these homes that are quite prevalent and in use today.

On July 11, Irvin Del Valle, Social Worker for the Mercy Outreach Center, a program of Mercy Regional Medical Center, talked about the very needy families that this service reaches out to to assure proper medical care.  Irvin refers some of his clients to the Lorain Lions or Elyria Lions for help with eyeglasses.

On July 18, Gregg,Mehling of the Lorain County Drug Task Force, told us about the growing problem of opioid addiction in Lorain County and what his agency is doing, including a new pilot program authorized by legislative action for trial in Lorain County.  The program allows law enforcement and firefighters to administer a Narcon nasal spray to persons who have overdosed on an opioid and which saves many lives.

Lorain Lions Participate in Lorain International Parade

Photos and video shot by Lorain High School senior Jessica Carter traveling in the Lorain High Titans' band's support car. Jessica, shown below, was a great sport and we thank her.

GOAL ACCOMPLISHED! LION KEN KAYLE PUTS THE LORAIN LIONS VISION CLINIC CAMPAIGN OVER THE TOP

Lion Bruce Meadows points to the completed fundraising thermometer that signified achieving the Lorain Lions goal of raising $18,000 through the individual contributions of our members.  In addition, Lorain Lion Harold Lee gave $3,500 by donating $10.00 for each hour of volunteer service given by a Lion, thus making our member contributions to the Vision Clinic total $21,500. The campaign has been shepherded to success over the past 15 months by Lion Meadows.  Lion Ken Kayle (above right) had the honor and privilege of giving the final donation at the June 20 business luncheon to top the club goal of $21,500.  The Lorain Lions can stand tall and proud for this very impressive accomplishment!  THANK YOU LORAIN LIONS!! WE SERVE!!

LORAIN HARBOR LIONS CELEBRATE 25 YEARS AND RE-DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO LIONS MISSION

The Lorain Harbor Lions celebrated their 25 years of service to the community at Tom's Country Place on June 18 with an impressive re-dedication ceremony and installation of officers for 2013-14. Lorain Lion Dorothy McGuire, a charter member of the Harbor Lions, and Lion Ken Cromer attended the event. PCC/PDG Stan Kopf (above 3rd from left) gave a very inspirational speech, reflecting on how one small ray of light can inspire hope and change a person and eventually the world.  He used the examples of Annie Sullivan and Mother Teresa and showed how Lions can be that same ray of hope.  Great message PCC/PDG Stan!

PCC/PDG Stan installs Lion Vivian Rutherford as the new president of the Lorain Harbor Lions.

In appreciation of Lion Stan's support and presentation, the Lorain Harbor Lions gave him a Grillmaster kit.   He's ready for the summer season!

A beautiful Kiedrowski's cake was served at the end of the dinner--delicious!

PCC/PDG SHARON PARKER INSTALLS 2013-14 LORAIN LIONS OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Farewell, Lion President Doug Kayle--Hail, Lion President-Elect Bruce Diso!

A wonderful meal was prepared and served by On The Avenue.

Lion Doug and Lion Bruce display the cake.

Lions Dan Smith, Nick Hutlock (left) and Lions Bruce Bevan and Bob Cool with their special guests!

Lion Ed Baker (center) sells 50/50 tickets to Lions Glenn Owen (left), Ken Kayle, John Mazze, Tim Lombardi and Joe Ksenich.

Lions Barry Buck, Glenn Owen, Ken Kayle, John Mazze and Tim Lombardi purchase raffle ticket from Lion Ed.

Lynn Krucinski (left) with husband Lion Doug Krucinski, Lion Rick Freda and Lion John Volak.

Lion Rich Foil (left), Membership Chair, with Lions Pete Castillo and Norm Herschelman.

Lion Secretary Mark Worden (left), Lion Frank Csubak, 1st VP Elect Lion Kim Worden with wife Sue, and Rosa Cromer, wife of Lion Ken Cromer.

Jane Meadows with Lion Bruce Meadows; Jane Norton with husband Lion Ben Norton.

Lion Bill Evenchik (left), and Lion Bob Kayle with wife Sue.

At the head table were outgoing president Lion Doug Kayle (left), PCC/PDG Sharon Parker, and incoming President Lion Bruce Diso.

Lions and guests enjoy conversation and fellowship along with a great meal.

Lion Barry Buck got to celebrate his June birthday and kicked in a buck in memory of Lion Randy Swaim, whose birthday was also in June.  Lion Barry shared the moment many times with our deceased friend and great Lion Randy.

Lion President Doug pins the president's pin on Lion Bruce.

Lion Bruce pins the Past President pin on Lion Doug.

PCC/PDG Sharon Parker congratulates Lion Bruce upon his installation.

Lion President Doug shares emotional farewell remarks as president and recalled the many accomplishments of the past year, including a very memorable 90th Anniversary celebration at last summer's International Festival with an award winning float, the Ohio School for the Blind Marching Band and a 90th anniversary Monarch night with a portrayal of Helen Keller by Lion Jackie Christensen of the Canal Winchester Lions in Franklin County.  It was a great year, saddened only by the loss of three dedicated Lions:  Paul Trimble, Vern Brown and Harold Lee.  CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS TO LION DOUG KAYLE FOR THE GREAT LEADERSHIP AND VISION HE PROVIDED THE LORAIN LIONS THIS PAST YEAR--THERE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN A BETTER PERSON TO LEAD US DURING OUR 90TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR!!!