WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20TH: Bev Coombs Indiana Lions Cancer Control.
All meetings are at Golden Corral beginning at 12 noon
1st Wednesday each month: Board Meeting
3rd Wednesday each month: Program
WHO ARE WE…..
The Richmond Lions Club is a group of individuals in the Richmond, Indiana area who meet twice a month at Golden Coral Restaurant on East Main Street. The Richmond Lions Club was established on October 5, 1924. The Richmond Lions Club is a part of Indiana District 25-F of Lions Club International. Lions club members perform service projects focused on improving our communities and have the opportunity to participate at the district and international levels. In addition to supporting district officers, the Richmond Lions Club's members participate in district projects such as Camp Woodsmoke, along with state and international projects.
OUR PHILANTHROPY…
When Helen Keller spoke to the International Convention of Lions International in 1925 she challenged the Lions to become the "Knights of the blind". Committed to our motto - "We Serve" Lions perform service projects focused on improving our communities, the state, the nation and the world. There are many local community philanthropic efforts that the Richmond Lions Club has supported over the years that do not relate to its mission but are equally important to improving our community. Over the 94 year history of the Richmond Lions Club, the club has served in a variety of ways.
A major service project of the Richmond Lions Club is Vision Eye screening of both preschool and school aged children. Last year in Richmond Community schools alone, the Club’s screening team screened more than 1143 children plus many more in surrounding areas. Lions screen the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 8th grade students, enabling children to have the vision needed to be successful in school.
LIONS DOING WHAT THEY DO BEST…
Pictures tell the story! 1 out of 20 preschoolers and 1 out of 4 school aged children has an eye problem requiring treatment or correction. Since children do not know how well they should see, they will not complain about poor vision. Eye disorders, if they remain undiscovered, can harmfully affect a child's personality, his/her learning ability and his/her entire adjustment in school.
Nearly half of the 50,000 Americans, who go blind each year, lose their sight needlessly. By conducting screening tests, the adult vision screening program will identify subjects at high risk for eye disorders or potentially blinding diseases and refer them for professional eye care.
Many adult diseases, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, can steal a person's sight without noticeable symptoms. Any vision that is lost to these diseases cannot be restored, but further loss can be prevented. An adult vision screening can often detect these problems in the early and treatable stages.
This is a screening only and should not be confused with a complete eye examination. No diagnoses will be made. Based on an individual's screening results, the volunteer screener will recommend to that individual if he or she should have a complete eye examination. (Each individual may choose the health care professional of his/her choice for any medical care, further advice, and/or verification of the screening results).
The screenings will include a visual acuity test (both far and near vision on each eye). Other eye problems may also be discovered during the screening.
WHAT DO WE DO…..
• Lions are changing the world one community at a time, by addressing needs at home and around the globe and believe that kindness matters. And when we work together, we can achieve bigger goals.
• Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization, with a network of 1.4 million men and women in more than 210 countries and geographical locations. We serve where we live, as well as globally, and we have fun doing it.
• Though well known for its successful initiatives in vision health, Lions service is as diverse as its members. We meet all sorts of needs, from assisting the elderly to helping victims of natural disasters.
• Lions make a difference everyday everywhere. Whether by organizing a pancake breakfast fundraiser or building a wheelchair ramp for someone in need, we are a hands-on organization.
• Lions extend their reach to local communities, to districts within the state, to state and internationally. The needs are great and our services are broad, including sight, health, youth, elderly, the environment and disaster relief.
The Richmond Lions Club was organized June 7, 1924 and officially chartered on October 5, 1924. The 38 original members voted to meet every Wednesday at noon with a luncheon. The club met at a local restaurant until 1927 when it moved to the Leland Hotel. In 1972 the meeting was moved to Holiday Inn and to Millers Cafeteria in 1992. In 1996, the club moved to MCL Cafeteria. The club currently meets at Golden Corral Restaurant.
In 1938 the club sponsored Fred Craft and his stand at the post office. Fred became a Lion and he and his faithful dog attended every meeting. In 1939 Paul Mendenhall and Judge Brubaker attended the International Convention in Pittsburgh. The next year 2 more delegates from the club attended in Havana Cuba. The club hosted two state conventions, the first in 1940 and again in 1966.
The club has had four District Governors, Wilfred Bucher in 1957-1958, H. R. Smith in 1967-1968, Jack Buckland in 2002-2003 and Wayne Karanovich for a partial term in 2016.
The first home show was held in 1953 in Clear Creek Park. After 5 years at the park,, inclement weather caused the club to move the show to the Trueblood Fieldhouse on the Earlham College campus. In 1983, the show was moved to the Kuhlman Youth Center at the Wayne County Fairgrounds. This 60 year tradition continued until being replaced in 2013 by our current biggest fund raising efforts, our participation as one of the leading Non-Profit members of the InCONCERT Richmond series.
In 1970, the Grapefruit Project was started and has proven to be a great fundraising project over the years. The Richmond Lions Club has continued to grow throughout the years in service to the community. Today the club is very active and civic minded, proud of its heritage and of membership in the club and community. The Richmond Lions Club lives up to its motto - "We Serve".
OUR LEGACY…
In addition to our focus on vision, the Richmond Lions Club has also supported the following organizations in the local community as well as Indiana, nationally an International.
• Richmond Community School Eye Glass Program - $3,000 annually budgeted;
• Adult Eye Glass program - $1500 annually;
• Richmond Parks Department—Funded rehab of Ridge Street Community Park including new shelter house, grill and resurfacing of basketball court for a total of $8,000.00;
• Richmond Food Pantry—food collected and donated to the pantry;
• Cardinal Greenway - $750.00 contributed to aid in maintenance of the trail;
• SAWS Ramp program;
• Wayne County Relay for Life - Lions Donated, cooked and served pancakes and sausages annually for the survivors walk until the event was reorganized in 2018;
• Wayne County Safety Village - provides safety education for area children using a miniature community on the grounds of Richmond State Hospital. Lions have contributed $1,000 annually for several years;
• Boy Scouts Old Trails District - contributed $1,000.00;
• Richmond Salvation Army - individual Lions contribute to the Coal Bucket project at Christmas;
• Melt Down Ice Festival - contributed $250.00;
• Richmond Area Career Center Scholarships - contributed $500.00;
• Richmond Area Rose Garden - Lions maintain a bed as well as volunteer to park cars at the annual First Bloom and Glow event as well as the Chocolate Garden sponsored by the Richmond Symphony Orchestra.
If your organization is looking for funds that fall within the mission of our club, CLICK HERE. We have established a philanthropic committee that will review any requests submitted to the club.
OUR FUND RAISING…
Lions meet the needs of our communities and the world, ranging from assisting the visually impaired and working with other local non-profit, tax exempt organizations. Since 1917, Lions have met the needs in their communities and continued to improve the areas in which they live. As long as there are needs around the world, we will work to meet those needs. In order to support these efforts the local club raises funds through the following fund fund raising opportunities:
• Annual Golf Outing (in the Spring of the year)
• Lions Club Gumball Machines located at various community businesses
• Lions Club Aluminum Recycling
View here to see a heart warming story about one of Leader Dogs programs,
It tells the story of Leader Dogs from puppyhood to sighted partner and how the dogs are raised to be service dogs.
BECOME A MEMBER…
Do you want to help and serve others in the Richmond, Indiana area? Are you interested in making our communities better for future generations? Then you should become a member of the Richmond Lions Club! To join, simply click here and emailthe form to our club secretaryor contact a club member.
Lions International is the world's largest service club organization with a network of 1.4+ million men and women in more than 210 countries around the world. We serve where we live, as well as globally, and we have fun doing it!
Through well known for its successful initiatives in vision health, Lions service is as diverse as its members. We meet all sorts of needs, from assisting the elderly to helping victims of natural disasters.
Lions give funds raised to causes that support our mission and community. All our administrative costs are covered by dues and in club activities.
Lions make a difference everyday everywhere. Whether by organizing a pancake fundraiser or building a wheelchair ramp for someone in need, we are a hands-on organization.
Interested in Joining an organization that is busy in the community. Consider the Richmond Lions Club. You can be a member and participate in projects. Although meeting attendance is encouraged it is not required.
Current projects include:
Vision screening for area schools Vision screening for area pre-schools and day care centers Building ramps for individuals with disabilities through SAWS—Servants at Work Building Ramps. www.Sawsramps.org Rose Garden maintenance Ridge Street Community park maintenance Funding local projects through a mini grant program
OUR HUMANITARIANS…
Lions Clubs International Foundation supports the humanitarian work of Lions Clubs. The Foundation aids Lions in making a greater impact in their local communities, as well as around the world. Through LCIF, Lions ease pain and suffering and bring healing and hope to people worldwide.
THE MELVIN JONES FELLOWSHIP RECOGNIZES DONATIONS OF $10,000. It is the backbone of LCIF, providing seventy percent of the Foundation's revenue. As a recognition of humanitarian work, an MJF is an honor presented to those who donate $1,000 to LCIF or to people for whom a donation was made by others. Melvin Jones Fellows receive an attractive lapel pin, a plaque and a congratulatory letter.
W.P. WOODS FELLOWS - The mission of the Indiana Lions Foundation is to assist Indiana Lions Clubs, Subdistricts of Indiana Lions and state projects of multiple District 25 to carry out their charitable purposes. The W.P. Woods Fellow is the highest award that can be presented from the State of Indiana Lions. Dr. W.P. Woods, of Evansville, Indiana, was elected as the first president of Lions International Association. Each W.P. Woods Award costs $500 and is paid to the Indiana Lions Foundation.
