Category Archives: Lions Camp

How to Support Your Favorite Organization with Holiday Shopping

15 Thursday Nov 2018

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

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The holiday shopping season is here. If you’re like us, you’ve already seen the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals from several major retailers. We know, we know, it seems like the shopping window increases each year, but you can take advantage of its early arrival with extra preparation time, sizable savings and an opportunity to support your favorite nonprofit organization – without spending anything more. Learn how to become an even smarter shopper with these free online tools:45749783_1042895462557318_4769862938020282368_o.png

AmazonSmile

AmazonSmile is the same Amazon website that you know and love but allows you to an easy and automatic way to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you.

To get started you need to visit smile.amazon.com and select “Lions Pride Endowment Fund,” then start shopping. Every time you make a purchase, Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% back to Lions Pride. Consider creating a bookmark or installing the Amazon Assistant to get in the habit.

GoodSearch and GoodShop

GoodSearch is a search engine powered by Yahoo that supports nonprofit organizations in every search. Every time you choose to use GoodSearch when browsing the internet, the search engine will donate one penny to your favorite organization. One penny may not sound like a lot but imagine this: If 1000 Lions Pride supporters were to use GoodSearch twice a day for a year, they could raise a total of $7300. Wow!

Similar to AmazonSmile, GoodShop is an online shopping portal that allows you to donate to your charity of choice with every purchase you make. The site helps you find online coupons and deals with businesses all over the web. Not only are you raising money for your favorite charity, but you are also saving money. Most importantly, the operating costs to manage the site come from advertisers, so there is no fee to sign up.

Getting started with GoodShop is simple. Just visit http://www.goodsearch.com/choosecause and search for “Lions Pride.” Next, select “Lions Pride Endowment Fund.” Then, you can choose your favorite stores, and Goodshop will alert you each time there is a new coupon or sale. Who doesn’t love easy shopping?

It may be hard to believe, but the holidays will be here within the blink of an eye. If you prefer to do your shopping online, consider using one of these free tools to save money and contribute to Lions Pride when you check items off your list. With your continued support, we can work together to preserve, protect and provide for the Wisconsin Lions Camp and all WLF statewide projects.

Happy shopping!

 

 

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Ways to Celebrate Sweetest Day

18 Thursday Oct 2018

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ThereHappy Sweetest Day.png are plenty of holidays to observe in October. Bosses’ Day falls on October 16, Make a Difference Day is celebrated on October 27 and, of course, Halloween shows up each year on October 31, but there is one more holiday that we want to make sure you add to your calendar – Sweetest Day on Saturday, October 20.

We know what you’re thinking, “Great, another card-giving holiday,” however, there is truly charming reason behind this occasion.

According to Hallmark, Sweetest Day was developed by a candy store employee who lived in Cleveland, Ohio by the name of Herbert Birch Kingston. In 1922, he decided to bring happiness to those who were feeling forgotten. Together with a team, Kingston brought candy and small gifts to orphans, shut-ins and others to show their care.

By the early 1930s, celebrities started getting involved in the event. Ann Pennington handed out candy to over 2200 newspaper carriers, and Theda Bara passed out candy to theater attendees and hospital patients. The original holiday expanded to include loved ones, coworkers, acquaintances and friends. Today, Sweetest Day is still most prevalent in the Great Lakes region due to its origination.

So, how should you observe this weekend’s holiday? You could send a card or surprise someone with a box of their favorite candy, but here are a few more thoughtful approaches:

  1. Bake a batch of cookies

Who doesn’t love the taste of homemade cookies? There’s nothing like the taste of a chocolate chip cookie to brighten up even the darkest day, but it turns out that baking for others can also have a positive effect on the baker. Baking, especially when done for others, can have a whole slew of psychological benefits. If you’re in a baking mood, thinking about spreading the love by preparing a plate of cookies with someone who might need a pick-me-up. (Additionally, baking is always an incredible way to warm up the house!)

  1. Write a heartfelt letter

With the increase in technology, it seems that we have lost of the art of letter writing. Show a loved one that you’ve been thinking about them with a short, heartfelt letter. You can always send an email if you’re looking to save a stamp or send your message faster, but we can bet that a handwritten note will put a smile on your recipients’ face.

  1. Send flowers

Did you know that in addition to creating a beautiful focal point, flowers have several health benefits? Flowers can promote feelings of happiness and in people all ages. They are also believed to help balance emotions and prevent mood swings. If you know someone who is in need of an instant mood boost, flowers may be the perfect gift.

  1. Donate in his or her honor

Nonprofit organizations thrive with the gifts of their loyal supporters. Funds are the lifeblood of any nonprofit as it helps them spread their message and make a difference in their communities. When celebrating Sweetest Day, consider donating to your recipient’s favorite organization in their name. When you make an honorarium/memorial donation to Lions Pride, we’ll gladly mail an acknowledgment card to your loved one or their family to let them know about the lasting legacy that you are creating for future generations at the Wisconsin Lions Camp and in other WLF projects.

Sweetest Day may have originated with candy and sweets in mind, but we believe that the message has evolved as a day to do small things for others with great love. How do you plan to celebrate the occasion?

Happy Sweetest Day fromLions Pride!

 

 

 

 

 

World Sight Day 2018

04 Thursday Oct 2018

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WSD_hero

Take a look outside. You’ve probably already noticed the once-green trees have now turned beautiful shades of red, yellow and orange. Aren’t we fortunate to have the ability to observe the gorgeous colors of fall? For those of us who have clear vision or glasses, it’s not uncommon for us to take our sight for granted, but it’s important to remember that not everyone has the same opportunities.

You may be surprised to learn that approximately 1.2 billion people don’t have access to glasses – that amounts to over 3 out of 4 people around the globe. You can help increase the world’s awareness of eye care issues by helping us celebrate World Sight Day on Tuesday, October 11.

2018 is the sixth year of the World Health Organization Action Plan and this year’s call to action is “Eye Care Everywhere.” The International Agency for Prevent Blindness is encouraging all of us to focus on eye care issues, so that everyone, everywhere has access to good eye health.

How can you help? One way is by utilizing one of our most prized resources, the Eyeglass Recycling Center. The Wisconsin Lions Foundation’s Eyeglass Recycling Center (ERC) is one of only 18 worldwide facilities that collects used glasses to share with the world and is located right here on the Wisconsin Lions Foundation Headquarters.

At any given time, the ERC inventory is about 125,000 pairs of glasses. These glasses are then provided without costs to sponsors of Vision Mission Projects to developing countries. Some mission groups are Lions, but there are several others, often including vision professionals.

To commemorate World Vision Day, consider organizing an eyeglass collection drive or simply promote your area collection box. Of course, there are many other ways to help, including conducting eye and vision screenings within your local community, working with eye care professionals to create an eye health presentation or holding an educational event promote diabetes awareness and related vision loss.

No matter how you choose to serve, know that you are making a big difference to the sight of your community and to others who live all over the world. Let’s work together to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to sight.

World Vision Day information provided by your friends at Lions Pride!

 

How to Observe International Day of Friendship

26 Thursday Jul 2018

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If you’re lucky, you get to see your close friends often. You may get coffee, go out toFriendships dinner just an enjoy an evening together catching up on life, but do you remember the last time you told them how much you value their friendship? If it’s been a while, you’ll have the perfect opportunity on Monday – International Day of Friendship.

The origin behind the first day of friendship came from Hallmark in the 1930’s. The holiday was not viewed favorably by the public because many believed it was nothing more than a money-making exercise. By the 1940’s, the holiday had faded into obscurity in the United States.

In 1958, the World Friendship Crusade, an international civil organization, proposed the first World Friendship Day to take place on July 30, in an attempt to foster a culture of peace through friendship. Over 50 years later in 2011, the 30th of July was declared as the International Day of Friendship by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

How will you celebrate World Friendship Day? If you are struggling to find the best way to say, “I appreciate your friendship,” you’re in luck because we’ve compiled a few ways to celebrate the holiday:

  • Get back to the root of the first day of friendship by sending a card. Write a heartfelt message on why you feel fortunate to be his or her friend.
  • Send a small gift of flowers, chocolates, or cookies to let a friend know that you are thinking about him or her.
  • Put together a photo collage of special memories of you and your friend, then frame to give an extra special gift.
  • Call your local radio station and dedicate a song to International Friendship Day and your friends.
  • Make new friends by becoming a doer of Random Acts of Kindness. Follow this link to find ideas to get started.
  • Write a post on one of your social networks to brag about your best friends. It could be as in depth as how you first met or as simple as saying, “thanks for being my friend!”
  • Honor a friend with a donation to their favorite nonprofit organization. Might we suggest designating to the Lions Pride Endowment Fund and designate your gift for Lions Camp, the place where hundreds of friendships are made each year?
  • Make it a point to call or text your friends to let you know that you’re thinking about them and feel so lucky to call them friends.

Friendships are one of life’s greatest blessings. How empty would life feel without the camaraderie of great friends? Be sure to tell your friends how much you care about them and how thankful you are to have them in your inner circle.

Happy International Day of Friendship from Lions Pride!

The History of Father’s Day

14 Thursday Jun 2018

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Fathers Day GiftsThink about the last show you watched on TV. Do you remember any of the commercials? More than likely, it was something related to home improvements, gadgets or men’s clothing, which can only mean Father’s Day is near. This week, we thought we’d celebrate dear old dad with a short history lesson and a few popular gift ideas, so let’s get started!

Believe it or not, the inspiration for the Father’s Day was Mother’s Day. A common story recounts that the creator of the event was named Sonora Smart Dodd. One Sunday morning, the young woman was listening to a church sermon about Mother’s Day when we thought that her father was equally deserving of a day filled with praise.

Her father, William Smart was a Civil War veteran and widower. Sadly, his wife died while giving birth to their sixth child. William went on to raise his children on a small family farm in Washington. Sonora wanted to show her appreciation for William love and support with a day dedicated for him and other dads around the world. The first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910.

For the next half-century, Father’s Day was celebrated at a local level in communities around the United States. In 1966, Lyndon B. Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as the official Father’s Day, but it was officially recognized as a national holiday until the Nixon administration in 1972.

Today, children all around the world celebrate their dad with fun gift ideas. The most common presents are as follows (courtesy of MarketWatch):

  1. A special outing such as dinner or a sporting event
  2. An electronic gadget
  3. Clothing
  4. A gift card or gift certificate
  5. Home improvement and gardening tools

With Father’s Day only three days away, there isn’t much time to find the perfect gift! If you are still searching for a thoughtful, meaningful gift, consider donating to Lions Pride in honor or memory of your father. Your gift will work to help preserve, protect and provide for Wisconsin Lions Camp and all WLF statewide projects.

Happy Father’s Day!

The 11th Annual Lions Pride Shoot

07 Thursday Jun 2018

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Ready, aim, fire! We know it’s hard to believe, but we are only days away from thisTichigan Lions week’s 11th Annual Pride Shoot, happening once again at Milford Hills Hunt Club in Johnson Creek.

Sporting clays shooting is often called “golf with a shotgun,” but unlike golf, shooting sporting clays is as fun for beginners as it is for seasoned experts (we’re sure golfers would agree!)

Our sporting clays fundraiser is our most popular event that takes place on the second weekend in June. Both Lions and non-Lions come together to enjoy a day on the course in the beautiful rolling hills of Southern Wisconsin to support Lions Pride.

The day consists of an early breakfast followed by a challenging 22-round course with games and door prizes. After shooters have finished the course, they celebrate with beer, auction and delicious supper. The Pride Shoot is one of the most, unique and successful fundraisers that takes place for our organization.

Although we still have a lot of work ahead of us, we are eagerly anticipating Saturday’s arrival. We are always reminded of Dewey’s spirit, but it’s even more present this time of year as he so looked forward to the annual shoot. We feel we have a personal responsibility to make the upcoming event even more rewarding than the last.

We’d like to thank all of our donors, sponsors and volunteers for all of your support – both leading up to, during and after the shoot. We know firsthand that it takes a village to create and implement a successful event, and the Pride Shoot would not be what it is without all of your help.

See you Saturday!

 

The Start of the 2018 Camping Season

31 Thursday May 2018

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Pack your bags, grab the sunscreen and let’s get ready to camp! We are officially less lions-pride_sunset-at-campthan ten days away from the start of the 2018 camping season at Wisconsin Lions Camp, and we couldn’t be more excited. For the past 60+ years, nearly 1300 campers with vision, hearing, mild cognitive disabilities and Type 1 and 2 diabetes travel to Rosholt for the adventure of a lifetime.

Below you will find the 2018 schedule:

Block One

June 10-15                       Adults who are Blind or Visually Impaired

June 17-22                       Children with Type I & II Diabetes

June 24-29                       Children with Type I & II Diabetes

July 1-6                             Children with Intellectual Disabilities or Educational Autism

July 8-13                           Children with Intellectual Disabilities or Educational Autism

July 15-20                         Staff Transition Week

 

Block Two

July 22-27                          Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

July 29-August 3               Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

August 5-10                       Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired

August 12-17                     Adults 18-25 with Intellectual Disabilities or Educational Autism (by invitation only)

August 20-24                     Adults who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (July 20)

During their week away, campers have the chance to create a comprehensive program built around their interests. Overnight camping, canoeing, hiking, swimming, sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, archery and crafts make up the daily activities that take place at camp.

The goals of camp are to assist each child in the areas of self-confidence, interdependence, environmental awareness, but above all, to have a fun, safe experience combined with camaraderie and friendship.

What do our campers and Lions Pride have in common? We both look forward to the camping season all year long. Did you know that when the Wisconsin Lions Camp was first opened, it was funded primarily by Lions Club donations? In the last decade or so, however, expenses for camp and all other WLF statewide projects have increased drastically.

Many might be surprised to learn that combatting rising costs was the primary reason for the birth of our organization. Read the whole story here. Today, the Wisconsin Lions Camp is one of the statewide WLF projects that receive financial support from the Lions Pride Endowment Fund. We’re proud to work alongside both donors to help create lifetime camp experiences for both now and future generations.  We sincerely appreciate your support as we continue on to preserve, protect and provide.

 

Graduation Fun Facts

17 Thursday May 2018

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With these bouts of 80+ degree temperatures, we’re getting a first-hand experience of

accomplishment ceremony education graduation

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

what’s to come. Summer is finally on its way. It won’t be long until Lions Camp is filled with the sound of campers’ laughter (our favorite time of the year!) As for the rest of us, our calendars will be filled with weekend barbecues, wedding celebrations and, of course, graduation parties.

This weekend, thousands of students will walk across the stage and out into the world as graduates. Let’s celebrate their educational success with a fun more fun facts about graduation.

  • The first known diplomas were made of sheepskin and tied with ribbons. As paper-making became easier, they were replaced with parchment. Ribbons were eventually removed from the process altogether because the diplomas were too difficult to frame.
  • 16th Century Church Dignitaries were the first people to wear the famous commencement hat. The caps were called “mortarboards” because of their similarity to the masonry tool called the “mortarboard.” The tassel wasn’t added until the 19th
  • Everyone is familiar with the tradition of graduates throwing their caps in the air, but did you know the practice can be dangerous? In 2008, Anglia Ruskin University in England tried to ban cap-tossing after a student received stitches when a mortarboard came down on his head a few years prior, but the practice has since been reinstated. Remember, to be aware of your surroundings.

Here at Lions Pride, we’d like to wish all of our state graduates best wishes. We know that the road wasn’t always easy, but the payoff is great. We hope you have a chance to reflect on your accomplishment and know there is a bright future ahead. Congratulations!

 

“Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” – Nora Ephron

Annual Nonprofit Audits

01 Thursday Mar 2018

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We are officially 48 days away from Tax Day. If you haven’t done so already, you have Nonprofit Auditlikely gathered all of your W-2s, 1099-MISCs and other taxes documents, and have made plans to meet with your accountant or sit down and file your 2017 taxes. Everyone seems to have Uncle Sam and their finances on their mind. Lions Pride is no exception – but we’re not filing taxes; instead, we’re completing our annual audit.

For some reason, the word ‘audit’ has an amazing way of sparking apprehension or fear in people. While an audit may seem like a punishment for individuals, they are actually a standard procedure for nonprofit organizations. An audit simply refers to an independent review of an organization’s financial books.

An independent audit is an examination of the financial records, accounts, business transactions, accounting practices, and internal controls of a charitable nonprofit by an independent auditor. “Independent” refers to the fact that the auditor/CPA is not an employee of the organization but rather is retained through a contract for services. For the last five years, we have contracted with Schenk SC to conduct our audit.

For the next two days, the auditors will examine our bank reconciliations, selected restricted donations and grant letters. They will also review physical assets, journals, ledgers and board minutes. After the review, the auditors will then issue a formal opinion about the accuracy of all financial reports, and provide recommendations to continue improving our financial management.

Here at Lions Pride, we know that an annual audit is an essential part of a check-and-balance system to guarantee all finances are in order and allows the LPEF Board of Directors to be confident LPEF staff is following proper accounting practices. The audit also demonstrates our commitment to financial transparency, which donors have come to expect from our organization.

Trust is one of the most critical components of a nonprofit-donor relationship. The annual audit is just one more way Lions Pride works to build that trust by ensuring all donations are properly managed and secured so we can continue to preserve, protect and provide for Wisconsin Lions Camp and all WLF projects. We thank you for your continued support.