Category Archives: Giving Tips

Sunsetting the Lions Pride Campaign and Blog

01 Thursday Jul 2021

Posted by in Conventions, Fundraising, Giving Tips, Holidays, Lions Camp, News, Special Events

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It may be hard to believe, but today’s post marks #400, and the first time it will be written in the first person. The Lions Pride Blog was first started back in September 2013 after I sat next to two smiling faces at a women’s business luncheon. I was still working a full-time job but trying to make it on my own as an independent consultant. I was nervous, but Denise and Geri immediately put me at ease. As you may have guessed, the three of us hit it off and Lions Pride soon became my first client (outside of family). The Lions Pride Blog was born just a few weeks later.

Each Thursday for nearly 8 years (apart from missing one after the early arrival of my son in December 2020), we have published a blog post about many different topics like holidays, conventions, special events, fun facts and more. They didn’t always seem to directly apply, but we always wanted to make sure it tied back to Lions Pride.

If you’re a follower of the blog, you likely already know the origin story of Lions Pride, but here’s a Cliff Notes version, just in case. After serving in leadership roles within the Lions Organization, Dewey Carl identified an unmet need. He recognized that expenses for Lions Camp and all WLF projects had increased substantially, but the ever-important annual Lions Club Donations were not keeping up. By that time, he knew that many Wisconsin residents came to rely on these programs, so an additional financial source was crucial to keep them running.

He decided to establish a donor-directed endowment fund, which was approved by the Lions of Wisconsin in May 2005. Since that time, the Lions Pride Board and Staff have been working tirelessly to preserve, protect and provide for Lions Camp and all statewide projects.

You might recall that back in October, 2019, Lions Pride announced a goal to unite efforts and reach $10 million for the endowment fund by the 2021 State Convention. By attaining this milestone, we would be able to provide more than $300,000 a year in perpetuity to the Wisconsin Lions Foundation in support of Lions Camp and all WLF statewide projects and sunset the campaign.

I am excited to announce that Lions Pride has reached that milestone.

This goal would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of Dewey Carl, Geri Schlender, the board and staff, or the giving hearts of donors and supporters. It truly was a team effort and an accomplishment that we can be proud to share.

We now have the funds to financially assist the Wisconsin Lions Foundation indefinitely. How often can you make such a statement?

Because we have officially crossed the threshold, the organization will be changing, starting with the staff. One of the largest changes is the retirement of Executive Director, Geri Schlender. She has been with Lions Pride since the start and now will be able to enjoy the fruits of her labor. Please join me in congratulating Geri as she enters the next phase of her life, to be filled with travel, relaxation and fun. The organization was so incredibly lucky to have you at the helm.

The structure of the organization will also be going through some changes, which are still being ironed out by the Lions Pride Board. But since we have reached our goal, we will no longer be actively seeking donations from clubs and will begin decreasing monthly expenses, which means this 400th post will also be the last.

The last eight years have flown by in the blink of an eye, and I cannot tell you honored I feel to have had the opportunity to learn and grow with Lions Pride. The organization has shown me just how important it is to improve the lives of others. Service never goes out of style.

Thank you so much for your continued support, and for reading the Lions Pride Blog!

– Katy Bailey

Special Ways to Celebrate Dad

17 Thursday Jun 2021

Posted by in Giving Tips, Holidays, Lions Camp, Special Events

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Have you seen an increase in ads relating to home improvement, technology or men’s personal care items? You’re not the only one! The increase in promotion of all things manly tells us that Father’s Day is just around the corner! In honor of the occasion, let’s take a look at the most common gifts, then we’ll throw out some alternatives to shower dad with extra appreciation.

On the third Sunday of June, kids celebrate dad with practical gift ideas. Here are some of the typical gift ideas:

  1. A necktie (or another clothing item)
  2. An electronic gadget
  3. A gift certificate

Rather than relying on the same tried-and-true items, how about surprising Dad with something different this year?

  • Tickets

    We’ve said it time and again, but this summer is extra special because many of us get to come together again after being apart for months at a time. Celebrate dad by purchasing tickets to a concert or sporting event. Starting next week, the Milwaukee Brewers will be allowing full capacity at American Family Field.  
  • Project assistance

    If your dad is like many out there, summer is the busiest time of the year. Between yard work and other summer projects, you might notice that he hardly has time to just sit and take in the most beautiful season of the year. Help him get to relaxing faster by offering a hand. We can bet he’ll enjoy the company as well as the assistance.
  • A donation to his favorite cause

    Does Dad have a special cause that he loves to support? Consider helping that organization carry on in its mission by giving a gift in his honor. Remember that donations are the lifeblood of any nonprofit organization. If your dad is a Lions Pride supporter, an honorarium or memorial donations can help us continue preserving, providing and protecting for the Wisconsin Lions Camp and all WLF statewide projects. Click here to learn more.

Dad’s special day is only three days away, so don’t wait to find the perfect present. From the Lions Pride Board and Staff, we’d like to wish all the dads out there a happy Father’s Day!

Uncomplicating Home Organization

21 Thursday Jan 2021

Posted by in Giving Tips, Special Events

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Over the course of the past nine months, many of us have spent more time in our homes than ever before. Due to the increased time at home, many of us have probably realized that we aren’t as organized as we’d like to be.

If your New Year’s Resolution includes home organization, but you are apprehensive to get started, know you’re certainly not alone. The idea of organizing an entire home can be both daunting and overwhelming, so we’ve compiled a few ideas to uncomplicate the process:

  1. Pace yourself

Don’t make the same mistake that many aspiring organizers make by believing everything needs to be done immediately. Yes, you may start out strong, but burnout can happen quickly if you don’t have a plan in place to keep your momentum high.

Set realistic expectations by assuming the job is not going to take an hour or even an afternoon. Consider starting with one area or room, dedicating 15 to 20 minutes to organizing the space. After taking the allotted time, you will either start seeing progress and want to keep going or feel accomplished enough to wait before starting the next area.

  1. Develop an exit strategy

It’s not enough just to sort through your possessions. You also need to have an action plan for the applicable items. Use boxes you collected over the holiday season to sort through all of your possessions. Box examples may include Toss, Store Elsewhere, Sell or Donate.

The next question you will likely ask is where you can donate items that you no longer want or need. You may be surprised to learn that you can support Wisconsin Lions with items taking up valuable space in your home.


Eyeglasses – Did you know that many developing countries lack the resources to manufacture quality lenses? The Eyeglass Recycling Center is working to help those who need eyeglasses to see clearly. At any particular time, the inventory available is about 125,000 pairs of glasses, which are then provided without cost to sponsors of Vision Mission projects. If you’d like to donate used eyeglasses, send them to 3834 County Road A, Rosholt, Wi 54473.
Hearing aids – the WLF Hearing Project works to promote awareness of hearing loss, knowledge about prevention, recognition and treatment. Wisconsin Lions collect and recycle used hearing aids for salvage credits then using them to reduce costs for purchase of new hearing aids for the project. Consider working with your club to organize a collection drive.  
Used cell phones – Next Tuesday, January 26, is International Mobile Phone Recycling Day. You can free up space in your junk drawer by donating your old mobile device. Contact the Wisconsin Lions Foundation for more information.

Who would have thought that by decluttering your home, you can also help an organization that is close to your heart – talk about a win-win!

  1. Ensure all items have a home

Is there anything more frustrating than not being able to find an item because you don’t know the last place you left it? The best way to resolve this issue is to make sure all of the items in your home have a place of their own. Of course, that’s easier said than done.

Come up with a plan by envisioning all of the activities that will take place in each room and find a storage solution that will work for all of the necessary items. This task will be one of the biggest challenges but will likely yield the most long-term results.

  1. Stick to a routine

After dedicating time to home organization, you will want your results to last. Whether you decide to spend the first part of your weekend decluttering the common areas or take 10 minutes each evening putting miscellaneous items away, find a routine that fits your lifestyle.

Home organization is a marathon, not a sprint! Do you plan on making organizing a top priority in 2021? Let us know in the comments below.

Happy organizing from Lions Pride!

Support Lions Pride with Your Black Friday Shopping

26 Thursday Nov 2020

Posted by in Giving Tips, Special Events

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

We’ve said it time and time again – 2020 is a year unlike any other. Today is a day to give thanks, but many of us are not spending the day with extended members of the family due to COVID-19 as we would have in the not-so-recent past.

Consequently, the pandemic has also changed the way we shop on Black Friday. In the past, the biggest holiday shopping of the year, started getting earlier and earlier, but this year, most sales have moved online. Yet, one more good reason to stay in tonight.

While you are busy making your list and checking it twice, you can support Lions Pride with all of your online shopping without spending any more than you anticipated. How might you ask? By using online tools like Goodshop or AmazonSmile. Learn how you can get started right away:

Goodshop

Goodshop is an online shopping portal that allows you to donate to your charity of choice with every purchase you make. Whenever you make a purchase with Goodshop, a percentage of your sale is donated to your charity of choice.

Goodshop helps you find coupons and deals with businesses all over the internet. Not only are you raising money for your favorite charity, but you are also saving money! The funds to operate Goodshop come from advertisers, so there is no cost to use.


Getting started couldn’t be easier. Just visit http://www.goodsearch.com/choosecause and search for “Lions Pride.” Next, select “Lions Pride Endowment Fund.” After your initial sign-up, you can select your favorite sites and Goodshop will alert you each time there is a new coupon or sale. Who doesn’t love simple savings?

AmazonSmile

If you prefer to get all of your shopping taken care of in one place, you are no doubt familiar with Amazon; but did you know that you can donate a percentage of your purchase price to your favorite nonprofit organization by using AmazonSmile?

Each time you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon donates half a percentage of your purchase price to Lions Pride. Keep in mind that you will need to start at smile.amazon.com every time you shop to support your favorite charity. When you shop, Amazon gives. Bookmark it today!

Whether you decide to use Goodshop to find the best online deals or consider yourself to be a one-stop shopper with Amazon Smile, we hope you’ll consider choosing Lions Pride as your charity of choice. You can ensure the future of Wisconsin Lions Camp and all other WLF statewide projects. Every online purchase can help us make a difference in the lives of people all around the state of Wisconsin.

As always, we appreciate your continued support. Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Shopping!

Addressing Our Packrat Tendencies

14 Thursday May 2020

Posted by in Giving Tips, News, Special Events

≈ Leave a comment

shallow focus photography of clothes

Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Pexels.com

During the past eight weeks of self-quarantine, we’re guessing you may have made a few revelations about your living situation. For instance, you may have wondered when did the neighbors get a dog, how long has the sink been leaking or when did I collect so much stuff?

Saturday, May 17, is Pack Rat Day, what better time to review each of the rooms in our homes to determine if we carry any pack rat-type tendencies. Uhaul suggests seven signs make a person a packrat:

  1. You keep old magazines or newspapers
  2. You keep clothes you don’t wear anymore
  3. You store broken electronics and appliances
  4. You store free swag
  5. Every room has become storage
  6. Your car has become storage
  7. Your daily life is impacted

Based on those depicters, would you consider yourself to be a packrat? If so, don’t worry! We’ve compiled a few tips to motivate you to spend the weekend to participate in home organization.

  • Pace yourself

One of the first mistakes, newbies make when they begin organizing their homes is thinking everything needs to be neat and tidy immediately. As a result, they start the job with high enthusiasm and start fading out after quickly realizing the extent of the entire project. Instead of setting yourself up for failure with unrealistic expectations, take organization one step at a time. Start by setting a goal of organizing 15 to 20 minutes; you might clean out one junk drawer or begin organizing one closet. After your allotted period, you will either be motivated enough to continue the task to completed or be satisfied with your progress and wait to start a new project until the following day.

  • Purge anything that no longer serves a purpose to you

Are you one of those people who have a hard time throwing away boxes? If so, use that habit to your advantage by using them to sort through your not-so prized possessions. Label the boxes for items you want to keep, toss, store elsewhere, sell or donate.

We realize that these box names may be self-explanatory, but you may be curious about where you can donate all of the items you no longer want or need. Many charities rely heavily on your donated items to carry out their missions. Here are a few examples to get you started:

Clothing – Community thrift stores, Salvation Army International or St. Vincent’s
Books – Your local library or Operation Paperback
Eyeglasses – Your local Lions club or directly to the Eyeglass Recycling Center
Tools – Habitat for Humanity or other construction-focused charity

We encourage you to do your own research before immediately tossing specific items. You never which organization may need your old unwanted stuff.

  • Find a place for everything

What’s the best way to find anything you need? Ensure all of the items in your home have a pace of their own. We realize, however, that the process is entirely simple. Come up with a strategy where you envision all of the activities that will take place in each room and find a storage solution that will work for all of the necessary items. Remember to take one room at a time.

  • Consider a minimalist approach

As you are organizing your home, consider changing your mindset to commit to owning fewer materials rather than decluttering more often. Before purchasing a new item, take the time to really think about why that purchase is a necessity. According to the Simple Lionheart Life, the minimalist mindset happens gradually and subtly, in small ways, until you realize your relationship with stuff has changed.

Will you participate in home organization in honor of Pack Rat Day? If so, we’d love to hear about your plans in the comments below. Remember to keep in mind that organization is a marathon, not a sprint.

Happy organizing from Lions Pride!

 

Celebrating Mother’s Day During a Pandemic

07 Thursday May 2020

Posted by in Giving Tips, Holidays, Special Events

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

happy mothers day card beside pen macaroons flowers and box near coffee cup with saucer

Photo by Giftpundits.com on Pexels.com

Her pep talks completely changed situations, her hugs made the world seem brighter and her love made us into the people we are today. This Sunday is Mother’s Day, a day that we pay tribute to the incredible women who raised us. Typically, many of us would plan to celebrate the mother figures in our lives with brunch, backyard barbecue or another type of family get-together. Still, this year, the coronavirus “Safer at Home” Order is compelling us to think outside the box.

Many of us will likely not be able to get together personally for Mother’s Day, but it is still possible to show mom the best day ever. Here are a few clever social distancing celebration ideas:

  • Allow her to enjoy a meal in from her favorite restaurant

It’s no secret that lots of local restaurants are feeling the first-hand impacts of COVID-19. According to the National Restaurant Association, the industry (more than any other in the nation) has experienced the most extreme losses in both sales and jobs since the outbreak began. You can support your mom’s favorite local restaurant during this time by calling to see if they provide carry out delivery. Several establishments have begun adopting curbside pick-up practices to keep everyone safe.

  • Decorate her front door with a beautiful wreath

While you are dropping off a card, show the neighborhood how much her family appreciates her by decorating her porch or front stoop. A bright, beautiful wreath is the perfect way to finally welcome spring and say, “Happy Mother’s Day!

  • Watch a movie together while being socially responsible

Everyone knows that any movie is more fun when watching them with someone you love. With the exponential growth of online streaming services, you know have the opportunity to engage in the viewing experience together. Allow her to pick an old classic or one that’s been on her “To Watch” list and let the new age watch party begin.

  • “Sign up” to learn her craft

Does mom have a hobby that you know she’d love to pass down? If so, now might be the perfect time to start learning the craft. Whether she knits, sews, paints, or partakes in another fun activity, assemble the required tools and schedule a time to video chat. We know a future in-person meetup may be necessary to master all the tricks of the trade, but a virtual meeting should be enough to start learning the ropes.

We know that the coronavirus has thrown an obstacle in our usual Mother’s Day celebrations, but don’t let that stop you from showing your mom how much you care. Give her a socially distanced Mother’s Day celebration that she won’t soon forget.

Our ears are open! Do you have any other thoughts for showing gratitude to your mom while staying in? Let us know in the comments below.

Happy Mother’s Day from Lions Pride!

A Leap (Year) of Faith

27 Thursday Feb 2020

Posted by in Giving Tips, Lions Camp, News, Special Events

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wisconsin Lions Camp Leap of Faith

Photo Credit to Wisconsin Lions Camp

It’s that time again! If you’ve looked at a calendar sometime in the last month, you’ve probably noticed an extra day at the end of this one. Every four years, February gains an extra day as we ensure our calendar stays consistent with the planet’s rotation around the sun, most often known as a Leap Year.

This particular year feels especially symbolic to us as we take a leap of faith into the final phase of the Lions Pride Endowment Fund. But, before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look back at how our organization began.

It all started with one name that we hope is not new to you – Dewey Carl. Back in 1974, Dewey joined the Manawa Lions Club. From that point on, he became a dedicated member of the Lions Organization, holding numerous positions at the local, state and international level. From 1986 to 1987, Dewey served as the Wisconsin Lions Foundation President. He later served as the District Governor and Council Chair from 1990 to 1991.

During that time, he recognized an unmet need. Expenses for Lions Camp and all WLF projects had tremendously increased, but the ever-important annual Lions Club Donations were not keeping up. He knew that many Wisconsin residents came to rely on these programs, so an additional financial source was crucial to keep them running.

He began establishing a donor-directed endowment fund. Then, in May of 2005, the Lions of Wisconsin voted to approve the campaign at the State Convention (again, following a Leap Year.) Since that time, the Lions Pride Board and Staff have been working tirelessly to preserve, protect and provide for Lions Camp and all statewide projects.

To date, the Lions Pride Endowment Fund has raised over $8.5 million to further the mission. Now, we are looking to unite our efforts to reach $10 million by the 2021 State Convention. Attaining this goal will provide more than $300,000 a year in perpetuity to the Wisconsin Lions Foundation in support of Lions Camp and all WLF statewide projects, sunsetting the campaign.

Lion Dewey showed us that there is nothing more important than working to improve the lives of others. His spirit lives on as we progress towards our end goal. With your continued support, we can raise the last $1.5 million to financially assist the Wisconsin Lions Foundation indefinitely. We hope you’ll consider including Lions Pride in your annual giving by making your donation today.

It’s been a wild ride, and we feel so fortunate to have our donors by our side. We cannot adequately express our gratitude for what your support has meant to us over the years. Let’s work together to achieve this milestone.

 

Showing Your Non-Profit the Love

13 Thursday Feb 2020

Posted by in Giving Tips, Holidays, Lions Camp, News, Special Events

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lions Pride LoveValentine’s Day is right around the corner! If you’re a romantic at heart, you’ve likely already started developing a plan to spoil your sweetie. Whether you choose to surprise them with a dozen roses, a huge box of chocolate or a cheesy stuffed animal, you know there are dozens of ways to show appreciation for your significant other. In addition to showing affection to your partner, we hope you’ll also use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to show love to your favorite non-profit.

If you’re a proud Lions Pride supporter, we have a couple of ideas for you to share the love:

Support us on Facebook

You probably already know that social networks like Facebook are exceptional promotional tools that non-profit organizations use to keeping supporters up-to-date on current happenings, but did you know that you can also help them reach new potential donors? By sharing our updates, tagging us in status updates, and introducing us to your friends, you can help us earn more followers, encourage more donations and further our message.

One feature that you might not be already familiar with is the “Support Nonprofit” option within the status update. By clicking on the three-dotted icon within the status update box, you will see several more options come available when you create a post. By clicking “Support Nonprofit” and finding “Lions Pride Endowment Fund of WI,” you can help us raise funds to support our mission. This option seems especially popular around birthdays.

Facebook Status Update

Facebook Status Update Extended

No matter how you choose to use Facebook to promote Lions Pride, we appreciate you keeping us top of mind. Find and LIKE Lions Pride on Facebook.

Volunteer to Volunteer

One of the best gifts you can give to Lions Pride is the gift of your time. If you’re familiar with our organization, you know that our Lions Pride Annual Sporting Clays Fundraiser is our biggest event of the year. Although it is a one-day event, it takes us months to get our preparations in order and volunteers help us make the event a success. The 13th Annual Lions Pride Shoot will take place on Saturday, June 13, at Milford Hills Hunt Club in Johnson Creek. If you would like to get involved before the event, please contact us today. We could always use a helping hand.

Make a donation

Lastly, one of the most obvious ways to share your love is to make a special donation in the name of a friend or loved one. With your dedication, we can reach our goal of $10 million by the Wisconsin Lions State Convention in 2021. Obtaining this goal will provide more than $300,000 in perpetuity to the Wisconsin Lions Foundation, promoting the Wisconsin Lions Camp and all statewide WLF projects.

We are always on the hunt to show our appreciation for Lions Pride supporters, and we can’t think of a better way to spend Cupid’s Birthday. We’ve said it once and we’ve said it again, but we never tire of thanking you for your continued support. We would not be “today’s help, tomorrow’s hope” without the gracious hearts of our donors.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Celebrating National Camp Week

06 Thursday Feb 2020

Posted by in Conventions, Giving Tips, Lions Camp, News, Special Events

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

62604557_10157219362669356_951455837270835200_o (1)

Photo Credit to Wisconsin Lions Camp

As we write this post, the thermometer reads 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Although the temperature is far from balmy, we can’t stop thinking about afternoon swimming, vibrant sunsets and gooey s’mores. We know that it may be a bit too early to think about camping in this part of the country, but that isn’t going to stop us from commemorating National Camp Week.

During the second week of February, the American Camp Association hosts the ACA National Conference and has put National Camp Week on the calendar. The ACA is a community of camp professionals who come together to exchange knowledge and expertise to ensure the quality of camp programming. The organization wholeheartedly believes that the camp experience is essential to every child’s growth and development.

Don’t be surprised if that sentiment sounds familiar. Lion Ray Hempel had similar feelings when founding the Wisconsin Lions Camp back in 1956. He personally believed that attending camp would give special children the resources, skills and experiences that would last them far beyond their childhoods. That’s why the American Camp Association and Wisconsin Lions Camp are a seamless fit.

We may not be traveling to San Diego to attend this year’s conference, but we too are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the 2020 camping season. Each year, approximately 1,300 special campers with vision, hearing, intellectual disabilities or autism and Type 1 and 2 Diabetes visit Rosholt for a safe and memorable experience at the Wisconsin Lions Camp.

Each camper has the opportunity for a comprehensive outdoor program, which includes (but is certainly not limited to) participating in overnight camping, learning about protecting the environment, canoeing, hiking, swimming, sailing and kayaking. The overarching goals of Lions Camp are to assist each camper in developing self-confidence, interdependence, social skills, outdoor recreational skills and environmental awareness. But above all, we want them to have fun and come back again.

Last year, we were proud to help send 150 children to the Wisconsin Lions Camp with the help of our generous supporters. Will you help us send them again in 2020? Consider donating to Lions Pride Endowment Fund, to help us carry on the beloved summer tradition in perpetuity. We cannot thank you enough for your continued support.

Sending you warm, summer thoughts during National Camp Week!