Medina Lions raise funds for Haiti

The Medina Lions Club is collecting donations for victims of the earthquake disaster in Haiti. According to President Chris Wingire, Woodworth, N.D., donations can be left at the Northland Financial Bank in Medina until Feb. 6. All donations will be forwarded to the Lions Club International Foundation. One hundred percent of the donated funds will be directed to Haitian relief.

In addition to the collection point, the Medina Lions Club is helping to underwrite a Lions district fundraiser for Haitian relief to be held Saturday at the Wishek (N.D.) National Guard Armory. The Lions “Winter Arts in the Park” event is sponsored by 15 Lions clubs in south central North Dakota, and will include a soup and sandwich luncheon served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and a variety of exhibits.

Lions Club International Foundation administrative costs are paid by interest earned on long-term investments, allowing for 100 percent of every donation to have a direct impact on the lives of people around the world.

A $1,000 donation given qualifies that person to receive a Melvin Jones Fellowship from LCIF, to be presented by the local Lions Club. Named for the founder of Lions, it is LCIF’s highest form of recognition to acknowledge an individual’s dedication to humanitarian service.

At the Medina club’s Jan. 18 meeting, Wingire thanked members and the community for a successful Pancake and Sausage Brunch fundraiser held in December. The event raised money, which funded the annual visit of Santa Claus to the Medina school and other community activities. It also served as the club’s annual White Cane lapel pin sale.

The club forwarded donations from the White Cane sale and provided an annual additional gift to the North Dakota Lions Eye Bank. Medina Lions members received pins for again becoming a 100 percent club for the North Dakota Lions Foundation. The club also received thanks for its support of Leader Dogs for the Blind. The club reviewed available programs supported by Lions clubs and other groups that provide assistance to children who could not afford proper eye care and glasses. Information is being forwarded to the Medina School.

March 27 was tentatively set as the date for the annual Medina Ag Day, as the club made preliminary plans for the event. Gerald Horner is again chairing the Ag Day committee. Treasurer Ann Dammel and Secretary Jim Cowell gave reports and Pastor Karl Limvere gave the invocation.

The next meeting of the Medina Lions will be at noon Feb. 3 at the Medina Cafe.

Tags: community, clubs, lions, medina, funds, haiti