by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
“You wouldn’t believe all the good the Lions do,” said St. Joseph Y2K Lions Treasurer Delrose Fischer. “The club is very active in supporting causes in the St. Joseph area, which many people might night know about.”
Recent donations from its “Parade of Green,” upcoming events and a new-membership promotion were the topics of discussion during the group’s March 9 monthly meeting at the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall.
Y2K is part of District 5M-8 Lions International, and Y2K members recently attended the district convention held in February. At the convention, there is a “Parade of Green Day” during which each club selects its favorite groups to donate to.
This year, Y2K donations were made to the Diabetes Foundation; Hearing Foundation/Children’s Hearing Clinic; Lions Clubs International; Minnesota Lions Eye Bank/Children’s Eye Clinic; Leader Dog for the Blind, which trains service dogs for the blind; Camp Friendship, which hosts camps for groups of individuals in need; Project New Hope, which offers weekend retreats to help military families after the return of a loved one; and Can-Do-Canines, an organization that trains service dogs.
President Becky Staneart shared various thank-you notes the organization had received for these donations.
When asked why she joined the organization in 2006, Staneart said her son graduated and went to college, and she was looking for something to fill her time. Club member Beth Leither invited her to join the Y2K Lions.
Staneart said the club’s members are very welcoming and non-judgmental. She herself is dyslexic, but members of the club have helped her relax, so she can perform the duties as president.
The Y2K Lions members, which currently total 30, are trying to promote new memberships. Russell Eyecare & Associates in St. Joseph has offered to pay membership dues for the first five new members who join the organization. Yearly dues are $40 per person or $60 per couple.
“I encourage people to join because of the camaraderie and friendships made in this organization,” Staneart said.
Zone Chair Kathi Schmidt said Staneart has come out of her shell and has really opened up at meetings and conventions.
Schmidt has been a member of the club since 2003 and has also been past secretary and president.
She said the Y2K is one of 10 clubs in their zone.
Each zone has leadership to help clubs be successful and meet the goals of Lions International. Duties of the zone chair are to have healthy, active clubs which are able to fulfill the missions of the International Association of Lions clubs and to live up to the motto “We Serve.”
“We are always looking for ways to serve the community,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt said people should contact the club if they know of service projects or if there is a monetary need the Y2K Lions could help out with by supporting.
Y2K members discussed other suggested donations to be made, which included the Tri-School Graduation Party for students of Apollo, Cathedral and Tech high schools; a donation to a person who would be participating in the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics; the Church of St. Joseph Parish Festival raffle-book donation; and items for the St. Joseph Area Community Food Shelf.
Upcoming events include distributing Easter baskets to those with physical and/or mental disabilities; a pillow-cleaning and plant-sale event; monthly bingo at Arlington Place Assisted Living and twice monthly bingo at the St. Joseph Senior Apartments. The winners of Bingo receive cash prizes, and Y2K members also bring a dessert for the residents to enjoy.
Y2K members also help maintain the flower beds along Minnesota Street; clean ditches from the township park to the bridge south of St. Joseph; sponsor the annual “Peace Poster” contest for students of local area schools; and choose and sponsor a senior citizen king and queen to ride in the annual Fourth of July parade.
Upcoming fundraisers include monthly brat sales at the St. Joseph Meat Market and working for the St. John’s University Food Service department. This department makes a donation to the club for hours worked by members.
The club also collects used eye-ware that is refurbished and distributed to people in poverty-stricken areas.
Most Y2K fundraisers are annual or ongoing. Members work to maintain money in their account so when a need arises they have money to donate.
The St. Joseph area includes two Lions clubs: the Y2K and the St. Joseph Lions. Both clubs provide service and benefits to the area. The Y2K Lions club was founded in 2000. The organization meets the second Wednesday of each month.
For more information, email stjosephlionsy2k@gmail.com. Also check out their St.JosephY2KLions Facebook page.
Beth Leither (right) registers at the March 9 meeting of the St. Joseph Y2K lions at the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall. She is pictured with Y2K officers (left to right) Delrose Fischer, treasurer; Becky Staneart, president; and Jan Boeckers, secretary. The Y2K club is promoting memberships and will waive the annual dues for the first five new members who join, courtesy of Russell Eyecare & Associates.
Members of the St. Joseph Y2K Lions meet March 9 for the group’s monthly meeting at the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall. Members discussed upcoming donations, fundraisers and events. The Y2K club is promoting memberships and will waive the annual dues for the first five new members who join, courtesy of Russell Eyecare & Associates.
Zone Chair Kathi Schmidt discusses why she joined the St. Joseph Y2K Lions while other members prepare to leave after their March 9 meeting. The organization has about 30 members and is trying to promote new memberships.
