Tag Archives: event

Armed Forces Day + Ways to Thank a Veteran

16 Thursday May 2019

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Photo by Sharefaith on Pexels.com

If you were tasked with brainstorming symbols to characterize each month of the year, what would they be? January might be a party hat, February would be a traditional red heart, March could be best described as a tulip (buried under a foot of snow,) April might be a raincloud and May would be an American Flag.

The fifth month of the year is an especially patriotic time in the United States. At the end of the month, we’ll celebrate veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice on Memorial Day, but we have another chance to say “thank you for your service” before then.

This Saturday, May 18, is Armed Forces Day, a holiday that is always observed on the third Saturday in May. The holiday was created to help pay tribute to people of the Armed Forces. Unbeknownst to many, up until 1949, there were single day celebrations for each branch of the military. After the branches were unified under the Department of Defense, leaders thought it best to commemorate them all on one day.

For those of us who have never been involved in the military, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to imagine what time in the service must be like. Members of the military put their lives on the line to protect our freedom, so how do you genuinely say, “thank you?” The best way to get started is with a handshake, but we think we can go above and beyond when it comes to expressing our gratitude. We’ve compiled a few thank you ideas to begin the brainstorming process, with the help of Military.com:

  1. Donate your frequent flyer miles to the family of a veteran

    If you’re an avid traveler, consider donating those extra miles to a family in need. The Hero Miles Program gives airline tickets to wounded, injured and ill service members as well as their families who are undergoing treatment at a military or VA medical center. Learn how to donate your miles.

  2. Hire a veteran to speak at your next event

    To say a veteran learned a few valuable lessons during their time in the military would likely be an understatement. These individuals have incredible insight about leadership, team work and persistence. The next time you are looking for a speaker, bring in a veteran for the job.

  3. Shop from a veteran-owned business

    Did you know that over 2.5 million businesses in the United States are majority-owned by veterans? Choose to support these entrepreneurs by visiting their facilities or adding them to the supply chain of your company.

  4. Invite a veteran to join you and your club

Veterans have experience turning plans into actions, leading groups and brainstorming new and innovative ideas, and many want to get involved in local service work. They are just a natural fit into the Lions community. Invite a veteran to attend your next club meeting.

These are only four of an infinite number of thoughtful ways to say, “I am so grateful for your service.” How will you thank a veteran? Let us know in the comments below!

The Lions Pride Board and Staff would like to wish all military service members and their families a Happy Armed Forces Day!

 

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LCICon: 2018 Las Vegas

28 Thursday Jun 2018

Posted by in Conventions, News, Special Events

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LCICon

Time flies when you’re having fun! By this time tomorrow, thousands of Lions will be inLas Vegas preparing for the 101st Annual Lions Club International Convention. It seems like only yesterday that we were gathered in Chicago for the centennial celebration.

This year, Lions will be meeting in the Entertainment Capital of the World – Las Vegas. The convention offers, hands down, the best setting to make new friends and reunite with acquaintances to talk about all things Lions. Attendees have the opportunity to learn about other club and district projects while also making personal, lifelong connections.

The event will begin tomorrow with registration and self-guided visits of the exhibitor hall and convention services, followed by the District Governors-Elect Celebration Banquet.

Attendees will hit the ground running on Saturday morning for the International Parade. Later that afternoon, convention visitors will have the option of participating in the business session and viewing the International Show, an exceptional performance by Cirque Dreams’ “Jungle Fantasy,” featuring jaw-dropping acrobatics, music and more.

On Sunday, attendees will be busy with the opening plenary session with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the returning Levi Krauss and Angelica Hale. The afternoon will fill up with certification and voting as well as afternoon seminars.

Monday will begin with the second plenary session with 43rd President of the United States George W. Bush, Michael Cavanaugh and One Voice Children’s Choir, followed by the Melvin Jones Luncheon. Seminars will again be held that afternoon, and the Lions Cirque Cabaret will close down the third day.

The International Convention will wrap up on Tuesday with the final plenary session featuring Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton, in addition to the installation of the new International President and District Officers as well as the UN Flag Ceremony. See the entire list of events here.

We know that LCICon: 2018 will be another outstanding convention filled with education, inspiration and celebration. The annual convention is always a fantastic way to wrap up the Lionistic year and start preparing for the next.

Are you planning on attending the 101st Annual Lions Convention? If so, what is your favorite part? Be sure to tell us in the comments below.

From all of us at Lions Pride, we’d like to wish safe travels to all of our convention-attending friends. Enjoy Las Vegas!

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!

 

Involve a Veteran this Memorial Day

24 Thursday May 2018

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If we were to ask you what the most patriotic month of the year is, how would you respond? You’d probably say July; it’s a no-brainer. But what about the second most patriotic month? We’d say May.

This month, we’ve already celebrated Armed Forces Day on May 19, and Memorial Day is right around the corner. Veterans gave a major sacrifice when they chose to enlist, but often, their eagerness to make a difference does not end when they complete their term. Many look to get involved at a local level, which could make Lions the perfect fit.

Veterans have so much to offer to any organization. They have a strong sense of dedication and commitment, have a keen sense of leadership and know precisely what it means to be a part of a team. That’s why LCI created the Involve a Veteran Program. From now until June 30, 2018, qualifying veterans have the chance to join a Lions club with an entrance or charter fee waiver. Eligible veterans include Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard personnel as well as the Canadian Armed Forces who retired or were honorably-discharged from their service. National Guard and Reserve personnel who were called to active duty are also eligible.

When inviting veterans to join your Lions Club, consider trying one of these simple recruiting ideas:

  • Drop off brochures at your local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) clubs. You might be surprised to learn how many chapters exist in our state!
  • Exhibit at a local Veteran community event. Be sure to check out the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs Events page and watch your local newspaper.
  • Use the press release template to attract local media attention.
  • Take the opportunity to thank Veterans on your social media pages. Memorial Day would be an excellent day to express your gratitude for their service – you never know who might stumble across your post.
  • Start a new project and invite Veterans to join in on the fun.

It’s not too late! Join the over 700 clubs that have taken advantage of the Involve a Veteran program and give veterans the opportunity to continue serving, as a Lion.

The Lions Pride Office will be closed on Monday, May 28, to honor those who bravely served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice. We’d like to wish you all a fun, safe holiday weekend!

It’s Girl Scout Cookie Season!

22 Thursday Feb 2018

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We have to be honest. The winter weather has gotten us down this week. Although the temperatures have remained fair, the icy roads are making us feel as though the warm, summer months will arrive. That’s when we were to see a timely announcement – the return of Girl Scout Cookie Weekend.

Last month, Girl Scouts of the USA kicked off their 101st year of selling cookies. The Girl Scout Cookie Program is one of the most successful programs in any organization. Over 1 million Girls Scouts participate in selling cookies to benefit their troop. Scouts can show off their G.I.R.L. (Go-Getter, Innovator, Risk-Taker, Leader) Spirit by selling cookies to help power amazing experiences all year-round. All of the net revenue stays within the local area to benefit the girls and their councils.

This year, troops were happy to welcome the return of the Girl Scout S’mores Cookie, the most popular flavor to launch in the past century. In 2017, GSUSA debuted two versions of the cookie – a crème covered crispy graham cracker cookie dipped in chocolate, and a chocolate marshmallow filled graham cracker sandwich cookie decorated with designs honoring Girl Scouts’ Outdoor Badges.

With the new cookie arrival, bakers have gotten creative in the kitchen by whipping up new delicious recipes. We’re excited to try the S’more Campfire Cupcakes, created by Little Brownie Bakers, which will help put us in the camping spirit – even if there is still snow on the ground. Of course, we’ve also craving old favorites like Thin Mints and Tagalongs.

Now to answer a question that is often asked this time of year, “How I can purchase Girl Scout Cookies if I don’t know any Girl Scouts?” This year, it’s easier than ever to stock up on your favorite do-good cookie. Simply visit the Cookie Locator to find a location near you. As we mentioned, this weekend (February 23 – 25) is National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend, so troops all over the country are hosting exciting events. If you’d rather than stay in, there is also an online portal available.

No matter how you choose to enjoy your cookies, dipping them in a glass of milk or using them as a key ingredient in a new recipe, you can rest easy knowing that your purchase is helping young girls develop lifetime, leadership skills.

Have you or will you purchase Girl Scouts some time in 2018? What cookie is your favorite? The Pride Staff favors the Thin Mints.

Happy Girl Scout Cookie Weekend!

Go Green This Halloween Season

26 Thursday Oct 2017

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Typically, orange and black are the first colors that come to mind when you think about Carving Pumpkinthe spookiest day of the year. This Halloween; however, we’d like to throw in another word – green. As you likely already aware, in the upcoming months, we are going to see a massive increase in the amount of waste found in the United States. Let’s help minimize the harm on our planet (and keep more money in our pockets) by coming up with new ways to stay eco-friendly this Halloween.

  • Make your own decorations

Did you know that Halloween is the second biggest decorating holiday of the year? Consider reusing your old decorations or get crafty by making your own with recycled household items. Check out these 19 DIY ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

  • Use eco-friendly lights

Light up the path to your front door by using LED lights or solar-powered lamps for your trick-or-treaters. Rather than selecting Halloween lights that will only be used one time each year, you may want to consider investing in something more versatile. Studies have shown that solar garden lights, which could save you in the long-term, with a return on investment of 47 percent over the course of ten years. Wow!

  • Reuse your pumpkin

According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Americans have created a demand for over 1 billion pounds of pumpkins each year. These pumpkins will likely get carved or used for traditional fall décor, and the get tossed. This year, don’t throw out ole Jack! After showing off your carved masterpiece, repurpose your pumpkin by using it in a new recipe. While carving pumpkins may not be as flavorful as sugar or pie pumpkins, they will still work for several recipes including vegetable stock, pumpkin puree and pumpkin lasagna. If you’d prefer not to eat your Jack o’ Lantern, there are always many other fun ways to enjoy your pumpkin.

  • Host a Costume Swap

While it may be a little too late to implement this idea, it may be one to consider in 2018. The National Retail Federation has found that the average American spends $74 each Halloween, nearly 36 percent of that total cost is spent on a costume. Rather than going out and buying a new costume each year, parents may find relief with a Halloween costume swap. The swap could be as simple as getting a few neighbors together or as large as a city-wide event – the opportunities are endless.

There’s no reason why you can’t have fun and be eco-friendly this Halloween. These are only a handful of ways to take control of your carbon footprint. How will you plan to protect Mother Nature? Let us know in the comments below.

Happy (Green) Halloween from Lions Pride!

The 10th Annual Lions Pride Shoot Preparations

08 Thursday Jun 2017

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If you’ve been keeping up with us at any point in the last decade, you know that early9th Annual Shootsummer is an especially busy time of the year for our staff. On the second Saturday of June for the past ten years, we’ve traveled to Milford Hills in Johnson Creek for the annual Lions Pride Sporting Clays Shoot.

Despite the fact that it is a one-day event, the staff has spent months preparing – registering shooters, enlisting sponsors, collecting door prizes and auction items, coordinating the day’s activities with the Milford Hills staff and recruiting volunteers. Now that the final week is upon us and all of our participants are signed up, we can work on the last details of creating signage and finalizing all of our station games and activities.

At the beginning of the year, we knew that this event would be different from past years without Dewey, but the fact has become ever clear throughout all of our preparations. It’s been impossible not to think of him as we continue to assemble the various elements of his favorite fundraising event. The Pride Shoot was his favorite fundraising event and something that he looked forward to year after year. This year’s event will be dedicated to his memory, and we know that he will be with us in spirit on Saturday.

Although we still have a lot to accomplish before the weekend, we know that everything will get done – it always does! We’d like to thank all of our donors, sponsors and volunteers in advance for all of your support. It truly takes an army to create and implement a successful event, and the Pride Shoot would not be what it is without all of your help.

Now, if you’ll excuse us, we need to get back to work!

See you on Saturday,
Lions Pride Staff

3 Ways to Express Your Gratitude This Mother’s Day

11 Thursday May 2017

Posted by in Holidays, Lions Camp, Special Events, Uncategorized

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We hope that we’re not the first ones to Happy Mothers Daytell you that Mother’s Day is only 48 hours away. While this may seem to be another obvious greeting card holiday, don’t fall for the deception! Mother’s Day is a holiday that honors motherhood and takes many forms all over the globe. In America form of Mother’s Day was created in 1908 by Anna Jarvis, and became an official US holiday in 1914. (She later tried to denounce the commercialization of the holiday and spent much of her lifetime trying to remove the holiday from the calendar, but that’s a story for another day!)

There’s no question in our minds that parenthood, and motherhood, in particular, is one of the most challenging jobs that comes with its own share of sacrifices. Mother’s Day is a wonderful holiday that gives us all an opportunity to show the moms in our lives how much they mean to us.

Often, this gratitude comes in the form of gifts, but gifts don’t necessarily need to include the typical card and flowers. This Mother’s Day, think about giving a more creative present to the moms in your life with a few ideas:

  • Giving your time: Rather than giving a physical present, say, “I love you” with the gift of your time. In this day and age, it’s easy for time to get away with us. Spend Sunday doing the activity of her choice like going to church, seeing a movie or just spending the afternoon catching up. We are confident that mothers will agree that there’s nothing better than spending precious time together.
  • Taking on her usual duties: In life, we all have responsibilities that we don’t much care for. Whether it’s scrubbing toilets, washing dishes or eliminating loads of laundry, take one or all of those duties to give her a chance to put her feet up and relax. After all, how often does that actually happen at home?
  • Giving a gift that keeps on giving: It’s very likely that Mom has a special cause that she cares about. Help that organization carry on in their mission by giving a gift in her honor. If your mom is a Lions Pride supporter, consider giving an honorarium donation to help us continue preserving, providing and protecting for the Wisconsin Lions Camp and all WLF statewide projects. Click her for a memorial/honorarium form.

Remember that the best gifts in life don’t always come packed with ribbons and bows. This Mother’s Day, say “thank you” to the most important moms in your life with a present that she won’t soon forget. How do you plan to express your gratitude?

From all of us at Lions Pride, Happy Mother’s Day!

The 2016 USA/Canada Leadership Forum

15 Thursday Sep 2016

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It’s that time again; time for the USA/Canada Leadership Forum. lions-100th-anniversaryLast fall, we were fortunate to attend the 2015 Forum in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and, we are attending again this year, in Omaha, Nebraska.

For the past 39 years, Lions from all over North America come together to participate in the largest and greatest Lions Club Leadership Training Event. Over the course of the next three days, Lions will have the opportunity to take part in dozens of leadership seminars, browse the expansive exhibitor hall, listen to inspiring speakers and (re)connect with friends.

The 2016 Forum will be slightly different than the past conferences because there will be a primary focus on preparing for the Lions Club 100th Anniversary. If you recall, to celebrate our milestone anniversary, we, as Lions, have been challenged in accomplishing 100 million acts of service. In addition to participating in several of the 60+ seminars, Forum Participants are invited to partake in three service projects representing four service campaigns:

Engaging Our Youth

Sharing the Vision

Relieving the Hunger

Protecting the Environment

We can’t wait to participate in another weekend of learning and fun with the arguably the greatest company – thousands of Lions!

On behalf of Lions Pride, we’d like to wish all of our traveling friends, safe travels, and we’re looking forward to seeing you at the forum.

National Blood Donor Month

21 Thursday Jan 2016

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Warrens Lions Club Blood DriveA lot of usual topics may pop into your head when you think about January – the cold weather, New Year’s Resolutions and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; however, one topic that may not initially come to mind, but should, is donating blood.

In the next three minutes that you spend reading this blog post, 90 people in the United States will be in need of blood. During the winter months, blood is typically in short supply due to several different factors including the holidays, extra traveling, sickness and less than pleasant weather. To help encourage donors to give blood, January was designated National Blood Donor Month in 1970.

The need is great and clear. Approximately 41,000 blood donations are required each day. Common to misconception is the fact that often times major disasters do not need large quantities of blood; however, hospitals rely on the blood that is already found on their shelves to save lives on a daily basis. Donated blood is most commonly used for cancer treatments and those undergoing orthopedic and cardiovascular surgeries as well as organ and marrow transplants.

An estimated 38 percent of the population is eligible to give blood, but only 3 percent actually donate. We think it’s time for a change!

Becoming a donor is easy. You must be feeling good the day of your donation, be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. Donations can be made at your local blood bank or at area drive; many drives are actually hosted by our fellow Lions. The Warrens Lions Club will be hosting their drive on Thursday, February 25, 2016. If you have been looking for a new project for your club, a blood drive may be the answer. Find out how you can host a successful event.

The official National Blood Donor Month may be over in just a short week and a half, but the need for blood will still exist. It’s always a great time to give the gift of blood. From all of us here at Lions Pride, thank you for donating blood.