Lions, Leos and friends work hard at Second Harvest

Members of the Lorain Lions, Lorain High School Leos and Andy Schworer and his family made it 17 strong in volunteers at the Second Harvest Food Bank on Tuesday, Oct. 25. Thanks to Leo Club advisors Lori Pyers-Goodwin and Kevin Goodwin for these great photos. Andy is the Henrietta Township teen, now a student from Lorain County Joint Vocational School who is becoming able to see after being born blind after receiving a number of state-of-the-art treatments using his own stem cells. Lorain Lions help pay for these sight-saving treatments through its fundraising efforts, like their Nov. 6 pancake breakfast being held at the Italian-American Veterans Post No. 1, 4567 Oberlin Ave., Lorain. Breakfast will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are available from Lorain Lions and Leo Club members for $5. Tickets purchased at the door on Nov. 6 will be $6.

Medical lecturer talks to Lions about high blood pressure

Medical lecturer and patient advocate Tom Strong of Westlake spoke to Lorain Lions and guests at the Oct. 27 noon meeting about the dangers of having high blood pressure along with advice on how to control it. Breakfast leaders Rich Foil and Ed Baker announced success in selling the maximum amount of placemat ads and table sponsors for the Nov. 6 breakfast. Lions are urged to continue to sell tickets. 

Gov. Steve Cochie speaks to Lorain Lions

District Gov. Steve Cochie spoke to Lorain Lions Club members and guests at the Nov. 6 evening meeting. He also presented chevrons to Lions marking their anniversaries in joining Lions Clubs International. Also attending the meeting were Andy Schworer and his parents. Andy is a Lorain County JVS student from Henrietta Township who is in the process of being able to see thanks to innovative treatment using his own stem cells. Lorain Lions have helped fund these treatments over the years. Andy, his parents and other family generously help at Lorain Lions breakfasts. 

Mayor Updates Lions on City of Lorain Issues

Mayor Chase Ritenauer spoke to the Lions at their Thursday, October 13 luncheon and provided a great summary of what the current issues and challenges the city faces.  "This is probably the toughest job I will have in my entire life, public or private sector" the Mayor commented.  But he outlined the strategies and solutions with great optimism about the future of Lorain.  Financing improvements is one of the critical problems.  He said it's easy to find developers interested in the river and lakefront properties, and even the Broadway sites, but to make projects viable, public financing and abatements are needed, especially federal funding.  State funding cuts to local governments in 2011 have resulted in a 3-4 million dollar loss annually to the city budget.  But there are good projects underway and on the way, such as re-surfacing Broadway, East & West Erie, and others.  The Mayor spent time answering questions and was pleased to receive another "Lorain Lions Lighthouse Pin."

Order form for Breakfast Placemat Ads