Tag Archives: honor

MLK Day of Service

17 Thursday Jan 2019

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“Everybody can be great because everyone can serve.” -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

MLK Day of Service.png

Photo Credit to Corporation for National and Community Service 

Each January, we honor and celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1983, Legislation marked the birthday of Dr. King as a federal holiday. But in 1994, Congress designated the holiday as a national day of service. Each year, on the third Monday of January, we are all encouraged to look at Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthdate as a “day on, not a day off.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. In 1948, he received a BA degree from Morehouse College, at the age of 19. He was awarded a BD degree after three years of theological study at Crozer Theological Seminary.

Shortly after, he became the pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. He was always a strong advocate of civil rights, so he joined the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People as a member of the executive committee. In early December 1955, he accepted leadership as the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The boycott lasted a total of 382 days. On December 21, 1956, the Supreme Court of the United States declared bus segregation as unconstitutional. From that point on, people of all races rode the bus together as equals.

In 1957, he was elected president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a newly created organization that was formed to provide leadership for the civil rights movement. In the next eleven years, Dr. King would travel over six million miles and give over 2500 speeches. Meanwhile, he wrote five books as well as several articles and led enormous peaceful protests. He may be most known for leading the 1963 march on Washington, D.C., of 250,000 people and delivering his “I Have A Dream” speech. During his lifetime, he was arrested more than 25 times, awarded five honorary degrees and was the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1968, while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, he was shot. He died on April 4.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in a nation of freedom and justice for all. The Day of Service is intended for engaging in community action that works to solve social problems. Service has an incredible ability to unite people of all ages and backgrounds while building stronger communities.

Honor the memory of Dr. King on Monday, January 21, by choosing to serve. Looking for a new service project? You need to see the Lions Club’s complete list of ideas for families. What project will you and your club start next? We’d love to hear in the comments below.

Happy MLK Day of Service from Lions Pride!

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Do Something Grand on Grandparents Day

06 Thursday Sep 2018

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man and child walking near bushes during daytime

Photo by freestocks.org on Pexels.com

Think back on your fond childhood memories; who was there? More than likely, you picture your mom, dad, siblings, cousins, and of course, grandparents. Sunday, September 9, is Grandparents Day and we think the holiday deserves a grand celebration.

Believe it or not, this observation was not created to simply sell cards and flowers. The holiday creator, Marian Lucille McQuade wanted Grandparents Day to be centered around a family, a day to connect the generations.

According to McQuade, National Grandparents Day has three general purposes:

  1. To honor grandparents
  2. To give grandparents an opportunity to show love to their children’s children
  3. To help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance that elders can offer

Regardless of your family role, we believe Grandparents Day is worth celebrating. We know what you’re thinking, another day to prepare for? Not exactly. You can do plenty of grand activities without a lot of effort. Read through a few fun ways to commemorate the occasion:

  • Spend the day with family

Of course, this may be the most obvious way to celebrate Grandparents Day, seeing as this was the reason behind the holiday. Consider putting together a small family reunion to gather the generations. Simply call or email family members and have everyone bring a dish to pass, so no one person has to spend the weekend in the kitchen.

  • Start building a family tree

What better way to celebrate family then by piecing together the puzzle of your family. Share special memories of those who have passed and talk about how family members’ lives have changed over the generations. Visit PBS to start building yours today.

  • Volunteer together

The families who volunteer together, stay together. As Lions, we believe that giving back is a responsibility for those of all ages. Show your family members the value of volunteering by working on a project together. Consider collecting garbage at the park, spending some time at the community kitchen or walking dogs at your local animal shelter. If your club is working on a large service project, think about inviting family members to join in.

  • Celebrate those who have left too soon

Unfortunately, not all of us are lucky enough to have living grandparents, but you can honor their memory by perusing through old pictures and photo albums. If you are active on Facebook, think about updating your profile picture to one with a grandparent and sharing your favorite memory with friends. We can ensure you will enjoy your walk down Memory Lane.

National Grandparents Day is the perfect holiday to honor legacy and gratitude to a grand generation. How will you celebrate?

Happy Grandparents Day from Lions Pride!

Celebrate Veterans Day with Gratitude

09 Thursday Nov 2017

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“Honoring the sacrifices many have made for our country in the name of freedom is theWaving Flag very foundation of Veterans Day.” –Charles B. Rangel

This Saturday, we’ll have the opportunity to our nation’s living heroes in the 80th official Veterans Day. Originally known as Armistice Day, Veterans Day was created on November 11, 1919, on the first anniversary of the end of World War I. In 1926, Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance and became a national holiday in 1938.

Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans, who served on any branch of the US military during peacetime or war, living or dead, but especially giving thanks to all living veterans. The US Census Bureau estimates that there are currently over 21 million living veterans in the United States.

You’ve likely already seen lots of businesses celebrating the holiday with sales and specials, but may wonder the best way to celebrate the occasion. Here at Lions Pride, we feel the best way to recognize the holiday is with gratitude. Here are a few ideas on you could thank a veteran over the weekend:

  • Write a letter

Everyone loves mail! Well, maybe not direct mail, but we’d be willing to bet you greeted your last handwritten letter with a smile. This Veterans Day, thank a vet in the form of a letter. Operation Gratitude is on a mission to show our nation’s heroes how much we care about them. And nothing says more that more than a handwritten note that can be saved forever. Each year, the organization sends care packages and letters to veterans all over the county. Find out how you can start your first letter.

  • Visit a veterans nursing home

We think quite possibly the best way to thank someone is in person! Consider contacting your local veterans nursing home to see if there are any residents who may be longing for company. After all who doesn’t love a friendly visit?

  • Invite a veteran to join Lions

You can show your appreciation as a Lion by inviting a veteran to serve with your club and reconnect with their community. In July 2013, Lions Club International introduced the Involve a Veteran Program. From now until June 30, 2018, qualifying veterans will receive waived entrance and chartered fees when they join a Lions Club. Eligible veterans include all branches of the US military – Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard personnel who are retired or honorably discharged. The National Guard and Reserve personnel who were called to active duty for other training are also eligible. Learn more about the program.

These are only three of countless ways to thank a veteran for their sacrifice. How do you plan to celebrate Veterans Day?

To all of the men and women in uniform, past, present and future, God bless you and the Lions Pride Staff & Board want to thank you for your service.

Happy Veterans Day!

Sweetest Day – Then and Now

19 Thursday Oct 2017

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

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Do you ever feel like some holidays were created merely to benefit the greeting card Sweetest Day Chocolateindustry? Yes, we’re talking to you, Valentine’s Day, Boss’s Day and Grandparents Day. Well, we’re here to tell you that the next holiday – Sweetest Day on Saturday, October 21, 2017 – may fall into the same category, but it truly has a delightful message.

The holiday began back in early 20th Century as Candy Day. According to Hallmark, legends say the day was established by Herbert Birch Kingston, a candy store employee who wanted to spread happiness to people who were feeling forgotten. He recruited a team, went out and began distributing candy to orphans, shut-ins and others to show them that some cared.

As time went on, celebrities started joining in on the act, and the holiday broadened to include loved ones, coworkers and friends. Today, observance of Sweetest Day is still the most popular in the Midwest due to its origination.

How should you observe the upcoming holiday? Well, you could surprise your sweetheart with a box of their favorite candy, but there other “healthier” ways to celebrate:

  1. Write a heartfelt letter (or email)

In the last decade or so, it seems that we have lost the art of letter writing. Show someone you care by crafting a heartfelt letter. Of course, you could always send an email if you’re looking for a quicker way to display your affection; but we can guarantee that a handwritten letter is bound to put a smile on your recipient’s face.

  1. Send flowers

Did you know that aside from being pretty, fresh cut flowers and plants have numerous health benefits? Flowers have the ability to give someone an instant mood boost and aid in both memory and concentration. If your loved one has been feeling stressed at work, you can provide them support with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

  1. Donate in their honor

As you likely already know, nonprofit organizations thrive with the support of their loyal donors. After all, 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 a honorarium/memorial donation to Lions Pride, we’re happy to mail an acknowledgement card to your loved one or their family. Together, you and your sweetheart can create a legacy that will last for future generations at the Wisconsin Lions Camp and in other WLF projects.

While the holiday may have begun with candy and sweets in mind, it has truly become a day to do small things with great love. Remember, it’s the thought that counts! How do you plan to celebrate?

Happy Sweetest Day from Lions Pride!

The Roast of IPID Karla Harris

14 Thursday Jul 2016

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The HarrisesWe have a busy weekend ahead! As you may already know, the last few weeks have been in a bit of a whirlwind at Lions Pride. Yesterday, we hosted the annual Friendship Ride at Lions Camp and today we are busy preparing for tomorrow’s LPEF Board Meeting.

Then it’s going to be another active weekend. On Saturday, we will be attending the first council meeting of the new Lionistic Year, but if you think it’s going to be all business, all weekend, then you are sadly mistaken! Later that evening, the Lions will play as we celebrate the accomplishments of Immediate Past International Director Karla Harris with a roast at the Sky Club Supper Club.

Director Harris is a retired executive director of a non-profit service organization and has an extensive history with the Lions organization. She has been a member of the South Milwaukee Lions Club since 2002 and has held many offices within the association, including club president, district governor, council chairperson and more. She was elected to serve a two-year term as a director of Lions Club International at the association’s 97th International Convention in Toronto.

As an international director, Karla’s primary responsibilities included representing the constitutional area on an international level and serving as an active liaison between the local Lions Clubs and Lions Club International. During her term as International Director, she was constantly on the move, not only visiting Wisconsin-based organizations but clubs all over the country. She saw dozens of the United States and countries around the world. Karla and her husband Lion Clarence traveled to Canada, India and Puerto Rico. You can look back on her adventures by following her Facebook page.

To commemorate her two-year term, Wisconsin Lions will gather for a buffet dinner and Karla will be the guest of honor on Saturday Night. We are excited to look back at her accomplishments and celebrating her hard work.

Lions Pride want to also thank Immediate Past Director Harris for the excellent way she represented the Wisconsin Lions and for her dedicated service!