Kimberton Lions Welcome Page

Lions are members of community service clubs, dedicated to the idea that the men and women who live in a community are in the best position to know who needs help and why. More than 46,000 strong, these local clubs are part of the world's largest such organization, with 1.4 million members serving in more than 190 countries and areas. The association is both non-political and non-sectarian. Lions are now best known for their sight-related programs, including SightFirst, the world's largest blindness prevention program.

Each and every dollar raised by the Kimberton Lions is donated to local Phoenixville, Valley Forge and Kimberton area community and charitable organizations. A totally separate fund, comprised of member dues, is used for the administration of the Club.

Almost $8,200 was donated to charities during 2008/2009 by the Kimberton Lions.
Also, several contributions are 'ear marked' for 2010 on an as-needed basis including:
Eyeglasses for our neighbors, Assist Dog, East Pikeland Police Outreach, PACS, Kimberton Fire Co., Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Scholastic Achievement Awards - CAT Pickering.
In addition to monetary contributions, we collected 72 pounds of eye glasses for the Lions Eye Glass Recycling Program.
For a list of charitable recipients, please click here.

If you would like to become a member of the Kimberton Lions,
please call: 610-935-2346 or send us an e-mail .....

Following are the 2010 meeting dates.
All meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month
at the Spring Hollow Golf Course; 3350 Schuylkill Road (Route 724), Spring City.
Meetings start 7:00 P.M.

Special Message from President Wirfs
on Lions Haiti Relief Efforts

Dear Lions of the World,

It is with great sadness that the world's attention is focused on the devastating earthquakes in Haiti that left 1.5 million homeless, up to 200,000 dead, and countless injured and traumatized. It will take years for the country to fully recover, but we know that Lions will be there every step of the way.

Just like Lions have done with the South Asian tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, the Sichuan earthquake in China and other calamities, Lions and LCIF will be there for the both the short- and long-term - providing immediate aid now but also working to rebuild communities, to restore hope and to support those affected for as long as it takes.

If there is one thing that makes Lions unique from other service agencies, it's that we commit for the long term and we work within the affected communities - through our local Lions -- to rebuild for a better tomorrow. The Haitian Lions are our brothers and sisters, members of our international family, and we will never let them down.

As you are likely aware, Lions have already moved swiftly to provide immediate assistance despite the coordination challenges. Lions relief tents are being shipped from Sweden; Lions from Canada on a mission in Haiti during the quake gave first aid assistance during the first hours and days; and Lions in the Caribbean area are sending aid over land and by sea. Additionally, a coordinating committee of Lions in Haiti, Dominican Republic and nearby countries are actively planning for the next steps, and our foundation chairperson, Al Brandel, immediate past international president, will be traveling there to meet with them beginning tomorrow.

Naturally, the response by Lions to LCIF's Lions Hope for Haiti donation appeal has been tremendous. Within days, we have already mobilized more than US$350,000. By the time you receive this email, I am sure it will be even much, much more. But we'll need millions more if we are to help the country rebuild, to provide homes for the homeless, to rebuild schools for the children, to rehabilitate those left disabled, and to help heal so many shattered and broken hearts. So please donate what you can.

Lastly, I am extremely saddened to report that two of our Haitian Lions -- our family -- have perished and other Lions may have lost family members. On behalf of Lions the world over and members of our international board, we offer our sincere, heartfelt condolences and sympathies to our Lions family who have suffered such personal losses.

To our Lions family in Haiti, I commit to you that the Lions of the world will be there for you today, tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, the year after that - and again for as long as it takes.

There will be more updates from LCIF Chairperson Brandel in the days to come. Meanwhile read the latest LCIF update on Haiti, including information on how you can make a personal online donation. I thank you all ahead of time for any furtherassistance you can provide.

With sympathies,

Eberhard J. Wirfs
International President

Wow; what a great time! If you were there, you know what I mean. If you weren't, too bad!
You missed a great time. Great place; great food; and, most of all, great company.
A highlight was the presentation of a check for over $2,400 for our sale of the calendars. The picture on the left shows Russell Sipes presenting the check to our president Don Szabo.

Please note that our next meeting (Wednesday, January 13, 2010) is being held at Spring Hollow. There is a possibility that we will be changing back to Spring Hollow for future meetings and that all meetings will once again be held on Wednesdays.
STAY TUNED!!

Once again, during the month of November, 2009, we collected food and non-perishable items for PACS.

We are pleased to report that our PACS Drive resulted in delivery of over 390 food and non-perishable items. Thanks to all the contributors and collection sites for their kind support. Following is an e-mail from PACS Development Coordinator, Joann Miller:

From: Joann Miller
Date: 12/2/2009 2:44:33 PM
To: Wayne
Subject: Food Drive

Dear Wayne,

I just wanted to let you know that the Lions collected 393 items in your Fall Food Drive. I know you were hoping for more, but there are many other groups collecting this time of year. The number of cans collected is not the only indicator of a successful food drive. By having boxes in banks, restaurants, hair salons, and the VFW, the Lions have raised awareness of PACS and what we do. For instance, someone may have gotten their hair done, read the collection box and had a neighbor who needed help with food or heat, or housing. Because of your outreach, that lady was able to help her neighbor by suggesting that her famil may be able to get some assistance. You did a great job!!! Thank you for your time and effort.

Please thank the entire Lions club for their support and dedication to those in Phoenixville. I wish you and your family a Happy Healthy Holiday Season!!!
Joann

Joann Miller
Development Coordinator
Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS)
257 Church Street
Phoenixville, PA 19460
610-933-1105
www.pacsphx.org

Connecting people in the Phoenixville area with community resources and emergency assistance

G Lodge - Route 23
Phoenixville Federal Savings and Loan- Main St. Branch
Phoenixville Federal Savings and Loan- Kimberton Branch
Rocco’s Pizza- Kimberton
Your Shear Pleasure Salon- Route 23
YMCA - Phoenixville

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At our September 10 2009 meeting we were honored by the presence of District Governor Jim Dallesandro, Second Vice District Governor Phil Shober and Zone Chairman Art Pecht. Pictured above (l-r) are VDG2 Phil Shober, DG Jim Dallesandro and Kimberton Lions Club President Don Szabo.
ZC Art reminded us that the State Convention ,that our district is hosting, is being held on May 13 of next year. We are hosts every 18 years.
VDG2 Phil presented our club with both a Diamond Award and a Sight Seeker Award. Both are for our outstanding effort in support of the Eye Bank of Delaware Valley.
DG Jim spoke of a general downturn in membership and the need for funds by Beacon Lodge. He also talked about his trip to Leader Dogs and described some of the incredible things that these dogs can do. He asked for support of his personal project to help a young man who has a desease that made him incapable of helping himself. He is in need of a special stroller and asked for $50 from each district club. Ernie Basile made a motion that was unanimously passed to provide $100 to this project. DG Jim suggested we look into starting a LEO club in our local high school. This is a great source of future Lions.

Meeting of 05/28/2009 - Very Special
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We were pleased to host several guests at our May 28, 2009 meeting. In the picture above, Kimberton Area Lions Club President Don Szabo and Director Gus Meyer present a check to Sue Kamerdze. Sue contracted Lyme's Desease several years ago and has been the inspiration behind our fight against this dreaded condition.

Also attending our meeting and pictured here was Rob Chisholm, Founding Director of Compeer Chester County. Compeer Chester County is a project of the Mental Health Association of Southeastern PA. Their mission is to promote maximum recovery by persons receiving mental health services through matching them in friendship relationships with caring, trained adult volunteers. Through its volunteer recruitment efforts, Compeer educates the public about mental health illness, striving to eliminate stigma and increase understanding, tolerance and acceptance of individuals with psychiatric illnesses. For more information about Compeer, go to their website here.

Rounding out the evening's festivities and pictured here was Bill Lockard of the Center on Hearing & Deafness, Inc. Bill is also VP of the West Chester Lions Club. CHAD's mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing and their families through information, social services, education and advocacy. CHAD is also associated with the Lions Club International AHAP program. AHAP, Affordable Hearing Aid Program, provides high-quality, low-cost hearing aids to people of limited income.
For more information about AHAB, please click here. For more information about CHAD, please click here.

This year the Kimberton Lions once again sold hamburgers, hot dogs and birch beer at the Phoenixville Dogwood Fair. This year we had the best year ever! Thanks to all of the volunteers and customers, we sold nearly 1,900 hamburgers and netted over $3,300 for our charities.

A big THANK YOU to Tom Mirabile of Superior Beverages who donated the birch beer.

We are pleased to report that our PACS Drive resulted in delivery of over 1700 food and non-perishable items. Thanks to all the contributors and collection sites for their kind support.

PACS Representative Joann Miller attended our February 26 to officially kick-off our collection drive which will run from March 2 through Easter Saturday, April 11.

Following is the press release that was printed in the February 26 edition of The Phoenix.

The Kimberton Lions have announced that they will be launching a NON-PERISHABLE FOOD DRIVE to benefit local families in need. The drive will start on March 1, 2009 and end on April 12, 2009. All items collected will be given on a weekly basis to PACS (Phoenixville Area Community Services) for distribution. According to Joann Miller, PACS representative, they are currently serving over 400 individuals on a weekly basis and the amount of new individuals needing short term assistance is growing at approximately 100 per month. Items that are of the greatest need include cereal, canned goods such as tuna and hearty soups, cereal, beans, pasta, macaroni and cheese along with toilet paper. The Kimberton Lions will have collection boxes at the following sites:

Phoenixville Federal Savings and Loan- Main St. Branch
Phoenixville Federal Savings and Loan- Kimberton Branch
New Century Bank- Bridge St. Phoenixville Branch
New Century Bank- Rt 113 Kimberton Branch
Rocco’s Pizza- Kimberton
Tony’s Restaurant- Route 724
Your Shear Pleasure Salon- Route 23
YMCA - Phoenixville

The Kimberton Lions will also be collecting items at their upcoming EASTER FLOWER SALE that runs from April 9, 2009 thru April 12, 2009. Sale locations will be announced. In lieu of non-perishable items, monetary donations will be accepted by PACS. For further information, please contact the www.kimbertonlions.com or www.pacsphx.org

Shown in the picture below are PACS Representative
Joann Miller and Kimberton Lions President Don Szabo.

This year, in spite of the cold weather, we raised over $2,700 for the charities of the Kimberton Lions. Thanks to all who purchased and helped sell our flowers. And a special 'THANK YOU' to our chairpersons Josh Lord and Don Szabo and our Easter Flower Sale Mentor Gus Meyer. We also want to thank Phoenixville Federal, Foresta's and the townships of Schuylkill and East Pikeland. It couldn't be done without everyone's participation.

On January 22, 2009 a meeting was held at the newly renovated Spring Hollow Golf Course. Lion Ernie Basile was a gracious host and presented an entertaining and rather hilarious slide show and movie of some of our club's 'history'.

The new restaurant, bar and banquet facilities are, in my opinion and that of all the members I questioned, absolutely beautiful. The food was scrumptious.

The picture above is that of our guest Jim Burns, president of the Spring City Lions. Jim presented some of the many fundraisers and other events of his club. Perhaps we can learn from each other? That's the plan.

The next meeting will return to the VFW. Lion Ernie will prepare a proposal to hold future meetings at Spring Hollow.

The Kimberton Lions Club is proud to be the recipient of the coveted
Lions Webring Award.

Event Date	Event	Leader/Contact
March 24, 2010	Regular Meeting: SPRING HOLLOW GOLF COURSE; starts 7:00 P.M.	Don Szabo
April 1-4, 2010	Easter Flower Sale	Don Szabo, Gus Meyer, Josh Lord
April 14, 2010	Regular Meeting: SPRING HOLLOW GOLF COURSE; starts 7:00 P.M.	Don Szabo

January 13, 27	July 25 Family Day
February 10, 24	September 8, 22
March 10, 24	October 13, 27
April 14, 28	November 10
May 12, 26	December 8
June 16, 30 Bar-B-Q