Wednesday, December 17, 2014

South Dakota Lions Eye & Tissue Bank highlighted

Belle Fourche Lions club members -- joined by the Northern Lights Lions club -- learned a bit more about the South Dakota Lions Eye & Tissue Bank this week (12/11/14).

Alan Berdahl from the SD Eye & Tissue Bank
Lion Alan Berdahl, who is Community Outreach Coordinator for the Eye & Tissue Bank, provided a bit of history about the organization and focused on the importance of donors to the program.  They provide corneas and other tissues to citizens across South Dakota, the United States, and even the world. 

Located in Sioux Falls, the non-profit organization primarily serves southwest Minnesota, northern Nebraska, and all of South Dakota, but their reach is worldwide. They partner with hospitals, hospices, funeral homes, coroners, as well as EMS and law enforcement personnel.

To be a donor to the eye bank, you merely have to have it noted on your driver's license, but Berdahl recommended that you plan ahead and "get your family on board," which he said makes the process much easier.

Who can be a donor?  Almost "everyone" said Berdahl.  Eyesight or lack of it is irrelevant to cornea viability. "One donor can help hundreds of people," he said.  To learn more about eye and tissue donation, visit the South Dakota Lions Eye & Tissue Bank website.

New Belle Fourche Lions member Jeremy Biegert (left)
is welcomed by club president Rick Walton
In the final meeting for calendar 2014, there was lots of business conducted by Lions.  President Rick Walton reported that -- thanks to extra effort by new Lion Jeremy Biegert -- the posts for a new shelter next to Bowman Hall will soon be installed.

Lion Harry Haivala reported that the Lions "Christmas Family" has received their $250 gift care from Walmart for the purchase of food and other necessary items.

There was also recognition given to Lion Tim Cleveland for his 15 years of service and to Lion Brian Kline for receiving a "Sable" award from District Governor Arient-Rollman for his good work "behind the scene" as a Lion.  You'll find photos of Lions Cleveland, Kline, and others in our Lions Gallery.

President Rick Walton finalized the committee structures for the coming year.  You'll find a complete listing of assignments by clicking on the "Committees" tab at the top of this page.  And to get details about this meeting -- or any of our meetings for the past couple of years -- click on "Minutes."  A tip of the hat to Secretary Del Neumeister for his continuing diligence and promptness in generating minutes.  Our next meeting will be January 8, 2015.

And if you enjoy photographs, we have something of a "family album" of photographs from the December 11th meeting, as well as many meetings over the past several years.  You'll find them in our Lions Gallery.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Lions recognized for service by Lions District Governor


5SW District Governor Julaine Arient-Rollman was on hand to present these Belle Fourche Lions with longevity awards on November 13, 2014.

Left-to-right are:  Rick Walton, 15 years; Ron Ensz, 25 years; DG Julaine and her guide dog "Sable"; Harry Haivala, 20 years; and Richard Drabek, 40 years.

Congratulations Lions......and thank you for your dedication!  For more photos and information about these and other awards -- and District Governor Julaine, visit our Lions Photo Gallery!

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Club President welcomes father as newest Lions member

Frank Walton (left) is the newest member of the Belle Fourche Lions Club.  He already knows many of the members, so it should be an easy task getting acclimated.  Especially since his son, Rick Walton (right) is the Lions President.   The younger Walton has been a Lion for some 14 years and is in his second stint as President.  Welcome, Lion Frank!

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Long-time Lion Al Shaw wins DAR Award


Al Shaw of Belle Fourche (second from the left) was among four area residents presented with awards from the Catherine Thybo Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) last weekend (9/20/14).  They were recognized for their work in historic preservation and community service.  Shaw, a long-time businessman and member of the Belle Fourche Lions Club, was given a DAR Community Service Award for his many contributions to the community, including his extensive work with veterans, racking up thousands of miles ferrying military veterans to VA facilities in Sturgis and Rapid City in a Disabled Americans Van.  Himself a veteran with service in World War II as a turret gunner on a B-17, Shaw was also a long-time member of the Belle Fourche Volunteer Fire Department

Others citizens given awards were (l-r) Hank Frawley of Spearfish given the prestigious National Historic Preservation Medal; Shaw; Mary Gallup-Livingston of Whitewood, Community Service Award; and Lynn Namminga of Deadwood, Historic Preservation Recognition Award.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Dear Lions and Lionesses,

It is that time of year again for Howard Hanson Award and Robert Tyler Award.

These are awards will be given at The State Convention.  The nomination deadline is October 30th, 2014.  Attached are the guidelines for each award.

Howard Hanson –This award is given annually to a Lion or Lioness.  
The volunteer work provided by this person made significant
contributions, which have benefited the visually handicapped.

Robert Tyler – This award is also given annually to a Lion, Lioness or non-Lion. The volunteer work provided by this person made significant contributions, which have benefited the visually handicapped.

We look forward to receiving your nomination’s for these awards.
Thank you,

Tina Harris
South Dakota Lions Foundation
800 N. West Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Friday, May 23, 2014

Congratulations Lion Schnaible -- 37 years of service as a Lion!


Lion Bob Schnaible (left) receives a pin for 37 years service as a Lion.  The award was presented by Belle Fourche Lions president Rik Bartels at our May 22nd meeting at The Stadium.  The session was the final regular meeting until September; nonetheless, two major projects will be pursued this summer: The Center of the Nation All Car Rally June 13-14 and the Black Hills Roundup July 3-6.  Click on the Calendar tab at the top of the page for more details.

Friday, May 9, 2014

SDLF Board Member John Daum visits Belle Fourche Lions


Spearfish Lion John Daum (left) is greeted by Belle Fourche Lion Harry Haivala.  Daum serves with the South Dakota Lions Foundation, which has spearheaded a variety of Lions services across the state, including vision screening for 350 Belle Fourche youngsters this year.   The foundation is seeking volunteers to help with the Mount Rushmore Bicycle Ride scheduled for June 28th in Rapid City. It's a 10-mile "casual ride." Volunteers are need to help with registration, serving lunch, kid's area and parking.  Three  members from the Northern Lights Lions Club have already come forth to volunteer -- and surely our club will do as well!  Please check your calendars and come to our next meeting (May 22)  prepared to add your name to the list of volunteers.  For more information, contact the SD Lions Foundation office!

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Cubs assist Lions for successful Pancake Breakfast!

Lion John Cooper assists some early patrons during the annual Lions Pancake Breakfast
Cub Scouts from Belle Fourche Pack 19 assisted members of the Lions Club for another successful Pancake Breakfast at the Moose Lodge on Sunday, March 27, 2014.

"The work of the Cub Scouts in busing tables and assisting our Lions members was very helpful.  We're pleased with the way things turned out," said Pancake Breakfast Co-Chairman Ron Ensz.


"Unofficially, we had gross sales of around $2,000 with $1,200 in advance ticket sales.  I would estimate that we fed around 250 people."

The breakfast is an annual affair for Lions, helping to support their many community activities, ranging from Sight and Sound projects that aid persons with vision and hearing problems to youth scholarships, and helping families at  Christmas time.

"While we engage in other fundraising activities, this is probably our best-known and most popular one," said Ensz. "I'd estimate that we served about 50 people every hour."

About a dozen Lions members worked the event.  Co-Chairman are Lions Robert Schnaible and Ron Ensz.

The 2014 breakfast was a bit different, since Lions were joined by a group of Cub Scouts from Belle Fourche Pack 19.  Cubmaster Allan Schreir had approached Lions about having Cub Scouts assisting Lions by busing tables and providing other assistance.

It was a good fit, giving Lions some help -- but also providing some good mentoring and giving the youngsters a chance to learn the value of public service, something the Lions know about!

For a few snapshots of the event and our Cub assistants, visit our Belle Fourche Lions Gallery! Thanks to Ron Ensz for providing several of these photographs.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

First March meeting a busy one for Belle Fourche Lions

The Lions meeting last week (3/13/14) was a busy one -- as the entire month of March will be for Belle Fourche Lions as they get ready to host their annual Pancake Breakfast at the end of the month.

 Cubmaster Allan Schreier
The evening meeting at The Stadium included distribution of posters to members for display throughout the community.  The Pancake Breakfast is set for Sunday, March 30 at the Belle Fourche Moose Lodge. Chairman Ron Ensz says the event is an important fundraiser for the club.  Doors will open at 8:00 a.m. and remain open until 1:00 p.m.  Tickets prices will remain the same as in the past:  $5.00 per person, and children under 5 years of age are free.

A new twist this year will be assistance from the Cub Scouts of Pack 19 in Belle Fourche.  After hearing from Cubmaster  Allan Schreier, Lions voted unanimously in favor of allowing the young scouts to assist by helping bus tables for the event.

"It's a great way for these youngsters to learn the importance of public service," said Schreier.  "They can see first-hand how adults, like the Lions, give back to their community in a variety of ways."

Lion Tom Grimmond from Tea, South Dakota, was a guest, too.   A member of the Sioux Falls Downtown Lions Club since 1995, Grimmond served as its President in 2004.  He's also a Past Council Chairman and a Past District Governor.

Two past District Governors on either side of Belle Fourche Lions Club President Rik Bartels.
At left is club member Robert Drabek; guest Tom Grimmond from Sioux Falls is at right.

This year, Lion Grimmond is seeking to represent Lions Multiple District 5 on the Lions International Board of Directors.  He outlined the process for election of International Directors.  He then asked for support of the Belle Fourche Lions Club at the MD5 convention in Watertown.

Lion Tom Nary (left) receives a
Perfect Attendance Award.
There were several other items on the agenda, too.

Among other business conducted:

 Long-time Lions member Tom Nary was presented with a pin for perfect attendance for 2012-13;

 The club made a decision to award two $300 college scholarships this year;

 And Northern Lights Lion's member Joyce Drabek reminded all that their Annual Dodgeball Tournament will be held on Saturday, March 29th, and that their club is still looking for teams........and volunteers!

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Lions test vision of 113 Belle Fourche school kids


Northern Lights Lions and Belle Fourche Lions clubs tested 113 Belle Fourche First Graders at South Park Elementary School this week (2/18/14).  Using two new "Spot Vision" machines furnished by the South Dakota Lions Foundation, the testing was accomplished in just over 40 minutes.  The screenings will be reviewed at the South Dakota Lions Foundation and referred to parents.  Pictured above are (standing l-to-r):  Lion Tammy Rusk, Northern Lights President Cherlynn Young, Lion Melody Zupan, and Past District Governor Rich Drabek.  Seat in front (l-to-r) are Past International Director Bob Drabek, Lion Joyce Drabek, and Past District Governor Ken Gifford, who serves as Speech, Hearing, Sight and Vision Coordinator for the South Dakota Lions Foundation. 
(Thanks to Joyce Drabek for sending us the photo and information!)

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Lion Robert Schnaible receives Melvin Jones award


Lions Clubs worldwide recognize outstanding individuals by bestowing on them an award that is named for its founder, Melvin Jones.  This award is the highest form of recognition and embodies humanitarian ideas consistent with the nature and purpose of Lionism.  Belle Fourche Lions Club is proud to recognize fellow Lion Bob Schnaible as a recipient of this prestigious award.  Lion Schnaible (left) was presented the award on January 23, 2014 by club president Rik Bartels.  Also receiving recognitions during the meeting at The Stadium were Lion Ron Ensz for perfect attendance in 2012-13 and Lion Gerald Keil for 35 years of service as a Lion.  Our congratulations to these fellow Lions for their achievements!  (Photo courtesy of Lion Ron Ensz)