Lions Bring Students to Lenscrafters Hometown Days

Santa Claus visited while Lions driver volunteers waited for Lorain City Schools students to get exams and be fitted with glasses and frames at the LensCrafters store at Midway Mall in Elyria Tuesday, Dec. 13.. The club has participated in LensCrafters' annual Hometown Days event for more than 20 years. Pictured (left to right):  Lion Dan Smith, Lion John Volak, Lion Ken Cromer, Santa, and Lion Marshall Dimacchia.

LensCrafters manager Michelle Perner fits frames for an appreciative student from Lorain's Longfellow Middle School.

Morning Journal reporter Kelly Petryszyn talks with a student about her experience getting new glasses.

Morning Journal photographer Anna Norris gets a picture for a story in the paper about the Lions and LensCrafters project to provide eye exams and glasses.

The Morning Journal reporter interviews Lorain Lion member Dr. John Smith, the optometrist at the LensCrafters store, who examined the eyes of the students.

Meredith Mattey (right), sign language teacher at Lorain High School, interprets for LensCrafters staffer Ronda Mitchell to get the correct frame fit for a student.

Volunteer Driver, Lion John Volak, (left), with Longfellow Middle School teacher's aide who assisted in transporting the kids to LensCrafters enjoy snacks.  The Lorain Lions provided sandwiches, chips, fruit and cookies for the students, Lenscrafters staff and Lions volunteers.

Dr. John Smith and Lorain Lions Hometown Day Chairman Bruce Diso discuss how things are going.  It's always a busy morning taking care of the Lorain City School students.  Both Lion John and Lion Bruce have been doing this project for many years.

Dr. John Smith with optometry office staff and LensCrafters staff at the end of a busy, but enjoyable morning.  Pictured (left to right):  Jen Penny, Ronda Mitchell , Krissy Hering, Jennifer Hall, Dr. Smith, and LensCrafters Store Manager Michelle Perna.  Thanks for a great job!

 

VIDEO; Lion Bruce Diso, Sight Committee chairman, talks about Lorain Lions role in Hometown Days.

  

VIDEO; Dr. John Smith, an optometrist and Lorain Lion, talks about the annual project that assists local students in need of eye exams and eyeglasses to achieve success in school by being able to see better.

  

VIDEO: Beginning with first-year member John Volak, Lorain Lions share their thoughts on driving students to LensCrafters Hometown Days event,

  

VIDEO: Lion Marshall Dimacchia and been transporting Lorain students for years to the Elyria mall for Hometown Days as have several members for the club.

 

VIDEO: Listen to what Lion Ken Cromer has to say.

  

VIDEO; Lion Dan Smith tells why important projects such as Hometown Days makes it great to be a Lion whose motto is, "We Serve!"

Lorain Lions Ring the Salvation Army Bells

Lion Bruce Meadows covered the first shift at the south door of K-Mart with Lion Bob Kayle (not pictured).

 Lions Tim Lombardi and Bruce Bevan (above) covered the first shift at the north door

Lion Ken Cromer (left) demonstrating proper bellringing technique

 Lions Ed Baker, Pete Castillo, Tammy Tansey with Bellringing Chairman, Lion Dave Burns.  This is Lion Dave's 21st year coordinating this project.  Another great job, Dave!  Thanks!

Lions Joe Ksenich and Ken Kayle (above). In case you didn't notice--it was cold!!

Lion Glenn Owen (left) finishes up his shift in the dark.

Lion Bob Kerecz and grandson Bobby Kerecz made a great pair of bellringers!

Even Santa Claus joined Lion Frank Csubak (right) and wife Bonnie on their shift! Kettle chairman Lion Dave checks to see if everything is going okay.  Lion Dave wants to thank the 28 Lions and family members, plus two Leo Club members at LHS, who helped cover the day's schedule. Well done, Lions and Leos!

Lions Christmas Party a Success

Lion Marshall Dimacchia, Lion President Dave Burgess, and Lion Tom Bruno with wife Annette enjoy conversation before dinner.

 Lion Rick Freda and Lion Tammy Tansey

Lion Ken Kayle's friend Debbie checking in Lion Doug Krucinski and his wife Lynn.  Ken Kayle chaired the Christmas Dinner committee with help from Lion Tammy Tansey.  What a fun and enjoyable evening!  Thanks Ken and Tammy for a great job!

 Lions Dorothy McGuire and Jean Lee

Lion Walt Frey (left) with daughter Hollie and her friend Brittany.

 Lion Bill Neely visits with Lion Bob Kayle and wife Sue, and Lion Doug Kayle with friend Paula.

Lion Tony Freda with wife Linda

 Lions Jack Clark and Marshall Dimacchia

Lion Tammy visits with Lion Ed Baker and Celeste. 

Santa's grand entrance to the singing of "Jingle Bells"

Lion Dave Macgregor and wife Kathi give Santa their wish list.

Some kids never grow up!  Tammy (above) was so excited to meet Santa, as was Alex Bevan (below).

Serving Second Harvest after Thanksgiving

 Above: Volunteers who worked at Second Harvest Food Bank on November 29 were (kneeling) Alex Bevan, Pres. Dave Burgess; (standing left to right) Ben Norton with wife Jane, Glenn Owen, Bruce Bevan, Ken Kayle, Paul Trimble, Mark Worden, Bob Kayle, Ken Cromer.

 Lions Bob Kayle, Ken Kayle and Mark Worden packing the distribution boxes.

 Lion Ben getting a box to clean, check the expiration date and line up for boxing.

 Jane Norton helping Lion Mark Worden weigh one of the distribution boxes.

Lion Ken Kayle moving a weighed box to the distribution pallet.

 The work began with washing off corn syrup that had spilled and dried on a large box of foods and kitchen supplies.

Once in full swing, the flow of material went quickly.  Several large pallets were loaded.  Fantastic job Lions!

In Memorium: Lion Dale Meredith

Dale H. Meredith
1927-2011

Our 33-year member and dedicated fellow Lion, Dale Meredith, passed away Saturday, November 12.  The Lorain Lions will conduct a memorial service Tuesday, November 15, at 7:30 p.m. during the visitation that will be held at St. Johns United Church of Christ, 715 Reid Ave., in downtown Lorain.  Lion Bruce Meadows, our club chaplain and sponsor of Lion Dale in Lions, will conduct the memorial service.  Lions should arrive no later than 7:15 p.m. and, if possible, wear a red Lions shirt, vest or jacket.  We hope as many Lions as possible will attend this meaningful ceremony to honor the many years of service and good cheer that Lion Dale gave to us and to his family and community.  He has been missed these past few months and will be missed more so now.  Our prayers are with Lion Dale’s family in their loss.

BELOW ARE SOME OF THE 40 LORAIN LIONS WHO ATTENDED THE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR LION DALE ON TUESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 15:

Lorain Mayor-elect Chase Ritenauer addresses Lorain Lions

VIDEO:  Mayor-elect Chase Ritenauer speaks to Lorain Lions Club Thursday, Nov. 10.

VIDEO:  Ritenauer outlines plans for transition.

 VIDEO: Getting off to a quick start.

VIDEO: Dealing with city's budget.

VIDEO: Housing and safety are interconnected.

VIDEO:  Making Lorain competitive for jobs.

VIDEO:  Improving Lorain streets.

VIDEO:  The need to change the culture of Lorain.

Lorain Lions noon meeting, Thursday, Nov. 10

VIDEO:  Opening song of the Lions at the Thursday, November 10 lunch meeting.

 Lion Vern Brown received his 40-year chevron and certificate of service from Lion Bruce Meadows, who recognized Vern for his service as president, as well as his sales of fruitcakes and other contributions over the years.

 Mayor-Elect Chase Ritenauer enjoys lunch with Lion President Dave (Joe) Burgess (left) and Lion First VP Doug Kayle prior to speaking to the Lions.

Pancake Breakfast Day, November 6, 2011

VIDEO: Lion Pancake Chairman, Bruce Bevan, wants to thank all who supported the Lions through ticket purchases, table sponsorships or placemat ads.

 Lions Kim Worden, Marshall Dimacchia and Terry Todhunter man the ticket table at the entrance of the IAV Sunday morning.

Lorain High Leo Club advisor Mary Jo Ferguson serves coffee.  The Leo Club is a junior version of Lions that encourages community service and leadership among high school students.

 Lion Dave Burns sells 50-50 raffle tickets to early arrivals.

The crowd started with a rush just after 8 a.m. and didn't let up until almost noon.  Over 700 breakfasts were served, including more than 3300 pancakes and 175 pounds of sausage.

 Kitchen crew Lions Bruce Diso, Charlie Neff, Joe Ksenich and Tim Lombardi

Lions Ed Baker and Tony Freda have a beautiful day to grill sausages outside--patrons of the breakfast raved about these delicious, chargrilled links.

Lions Joe Ksenich and Bruce Diso cooked over 3300 pancakes!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 50-50 RAFFLE WINNER -- BETTY BURNS OF LORAIN.