MASON CITY EVENING LIONS CLUB

The Mason City Evening Lions Club is proud that you have chosen to visit our website. The Mason City Lions Club is a group of dedicated men and women volunteers devoted to serving to make our community, state, and world better places to live for ALL people representing our Lions Clubs International Motto of "WE SERVE".

Please check back often as our site is just now getting started and we plan to add some exciting information on how the Evening Lions can and will benefit the people and resources of Mason City, to view pictures of past and upcoming Lions events; as well as much more information about our Lions Club's meetings/projects and events.

If you are interested in learning more about the Evening Lions and how we can help in developing your skills, your community, and to improve your personal and professional life; please feel free to attend one of our regular Club meetings. Any one of our members would be happy to answer your questions and help you be part of the number ONE SERVICE CLUB in the world - LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL.

Thank you again for visiting!

Meeting Time/Location

The Mason City Evening Lions Club meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday evening of every month (Sept - May) at the Elks Lodge. 11-2nd ST NW, Mason City, IA. The meal begins at 6:30 PM.

Meetings in June, July, and August are held only once a month and designed to be a family event; i.e. golf outing, family picnic, corn feed.
We meet the needs of our local communities and the world.

The Mason City Evening Lions are part of the 1.3 million men and women volunteers in 202 countries and geographic areas that conduct vision and health screenings, build parks, support eye hospitals, award scholarships, assist youth, provide help in time of disaster and much more.

Join us in making our communities and the world better places to live

Members, family and visitors are always WELCOME!

MAY IS LIONS RECYCLE FOR SIGHT MONTH

Old Glasses Give New Life!

Lions help to conserve sight by providing usable eyeglasses to children and adults throughout the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 153 million people have uncorrected refractive errors (near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism). Refractive errors can be easily corrected with eyeglasses, yet millions in undeveloped nations lack access to basic eye care services. Lions have recognized the urgent need for corrective lenses and continue to fight the problem with the Lions Recycle For Sight Program.

Donated eyeglasses can help millions to experience corrected vision for the first time, enabling them to read, attend school, gain employment and take care of their families. It is estimated that Lions clubs collect more than 20 million glasses each year, and eyeglass recycling is one of Lions’ clubs most popular activities. Although the program was officially adopted by the association in 1994, Lions have collected glasses for more than 80 years.

Starting an eyeglass collection in your community can be an easy and rewarding activity that will raise your club’s visibility and provide your fellow Lions with a great deal of satisfaction in serving others

2008-2009 EVENING LIONS CLUB OFFICERS

Pictured are the Evening Lions Club's officers for the 2008-2009 Lions' Year: (l-r) Gary Schriver - Club Secretary, Elaine Schriver -- Board Member (2-years), Wayne Fick - Club President, Richard Haas - Immediate Past President, Hava Hegenbarth - 2nd Vice President, "Dobie" - Leader Dog Puppy in training, Allen Watkins - Treasurer, Warren Davison - 1st Vice President, Jerry Tieszen - Board Member (1-year), Richard Jass - Board Member (1-year), and Dennis Wilson - Lion Tamer/Club Membership Chairperson. (Not pictured: Burton TeKippe, Jr -- 3rd Vice President, Jon Lohrbach - Tail Twister, Paul Henderson - Board Member (2-year).)

LIONS CLUB'S HELEN KELLER DAY -- JUNE 1ST

History

In 1971, the Board of Directors of Lions Clubs International declared that henceforth June 1 would be remembered as "Helen Keller Day." Lions around the world implement sight-related service projects on Helen Keller Day.

Helen Keller

Born Helen Adams Keller on June 27, 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama, USA, the child developed a fever at 18 months of age. Afterwards, Keller was blind, deaf, and mute.

At age six, teacher Anne Mansfield Sullivan of the Perkins School for the Blind was hired as Keller's teacher. The 20-year-old taught Keller sign language and Braille. The story of the teacher and her pupil has been retold in William Gibson's play and film, "The Miracle Worker."

At age 10, Keller learned to speak. Sarah Fuller of the Horace Mann School was her first speech teacher.

In 1898, Helen entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies. In the autumn of 1900, Keller entered Radcliffe College. She earned a bachelor of arts degree cum laude in 1904.

Throughout the years, Sullivan remained at her student's side. She formed letters into Keller's hand for comprehension of textbooks, college lectures, and conversation.

Keller's Personal Crusade

In 1915, Keller joined the first Board of Directors of the Permanent Blind Relief War Fund, later known as the American Braille Press.

In 1924, the young woman started the Helen Keller Endowment Fund. In the same year, Keller joined the staff of the American Foundation for the Blind as a counselor on national and international relations.

On June 30, 1925, Keller addressed the Lions Clubs International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA. She challenged Lions to become "knights of the blind in this crusade against darkness." She said, "I am your opportunity. I am knocking at your door."

In 1946, Keller became a counselor on international relations for the American Foundation for Overseas Blind (a sister organization to the American Foundation for the Blind). She traveled to 35 countries.

A movie was made of Keller's life. "Helen Keller in Her Story" received the "Oscar" award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for best feature-length documentary film in 1955.

Keller made her last major public appearance in Washington, D.C., USA, in 1961. She received the Lions Humanitarian Award for lifetime service.

Keller died on June 1, 1968 at age 87. Her request to the Lions 43 years earlier inspired the international organization to adopt the Sight Conservation and Work with the Blind Program as a major service initiative.

In 1971, the Lions of Alabama dedicated the Helen Keller Memorial Park. It is located on the grounds of Keller's birthplace which is known as Ivy Green. Since the park's initial dedication, Lions from 37 countries have contributed gifts. The focal point of the memorial is a bust of Keller with an engraved plaque which states,"I am your opportunity."

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL'S WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL DAY - JUNE 5TH

Lions Clubs International, recognizing the profound impact of man's activity on the inter-relations of all components of the natural environment, particularly high-density urbanization, industrial expansion, resources exploitation, and new and expanding technological advances, and recognizing further the critical importance of restoring and maintaining environmental quality to the overall welfare and development of man, declares that it is the continuing policy of Lions Clubs International to foster and promote the general welfare; to help create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony and fulfill the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations of mankind.

To achieve this environmental goal will demand the acceptance of responsibility by citizens and communities and by enterprises and institutions at every level, all sharing equitably in common efforts. Individuals in all walks of life, as well as organizations in many fields, by their values and the sum of their actions, will shape the world environment of the future. Local and national governments will bear the burden for large-scale environmental policy and action within their jurisdictions. A growing class of environmental problems, because they are regional or global in extent, or because they affect the common international realm, will require extensive cooperation among nations and action by international organizations in the common interest.

Lionism is one of those international organizations that should join efforts for the preservation and improvement of the human environment, for the benefit of all the people for their posterity.

EVENING LIONS ANNUAL GOLF OUTING AND DINNER -- TUESDAY, JUNE 17 -- ROCKFORD GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

The Mason City Evening Lions Club will hold its Annual June Golf Outing and Dinner on Tuesday, June 17th at the Rockford Golf and Country Club in Rockford, Iowa.

Golfing will be happening all day. The dinner will be served at approximately 6:30 PM; consisting of salad, pork chop, potato, vegetable, desert, and non-alcoholic drink. Cost will be $15.00 for any Evening Lions Club member. Reservations should be made and paid for at the May 20th Evening Lions Club Meeting. Cancellation of reservations need to be made no later than Friday, June 13th.

For further information contact Lion Warren Davison or Lion Wayne Rathmann.

So, PLAN NOW to ATTEND this GALA EVENT and ENJOY the GREAT FUN and COMARADERIE.

EVENING LIONS CHICKEN BBQ -- JUNE 28TH --EAST PARK

CANNONBALL DAY -- EVENING LIONS CHICKEN BBQ - JUNE 28TH - EAST PARK

The Mason City Evening Lions Club, in cooperation with Mason City HyVee Stores, will be holding a Chicken BBQ Dinner fund-raiser in connection with Cannonball Day in East Part on Saturday June 28, 2008. The menu will include 1/2 BBQ chicken, cole slaw, baked beans, and a drink or 1/4 BBQ chicken, cole slaw, baked beans, a drink.

Advanced tickets are available from any Evening Lions Club member or both HyVee Stores in Mason City. Ticket costs are $7.00 for each 1/2 chicken dinner and $5.00 for each 1/4 chicken dinner. ALL proceeds from the Chicken BBQ helps those in need obtain eye exams and eye glasses, as well as other community betterment and Lions projects.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!!! JOIN THE EVENING LIONS CLUB for a day of FUN and GREAT BBQ CHICKEN!!

TO VIEW CLUB PHOTOS CLICK ON CATEGORY

The large colored lions drawings on the right and above are creations of Evening Lions Club member - Hava Hegenbarth. The drawing to the right is entitled "Bright Eyes in the Shadows" and the one above is entitled "Brothers in Pride". The Evening Lions greatly appreciate and thank Lion Hegenbarth for these generous and magnificent contributions to our web pape!

To view other wonderful wildlife and artistic works of Lion Hava Hegenbarth click on http://www.havaprintz.com/

MASON CITY EVENING LIONS is SEEKING NEW MEMBERS!!