I have been wondering...What is the Lions Club? Then I saw calendars being delivered around town, and learned that the calendars are a big part of the Lions funds to operate in the capacity of helping others. In fact, the Lions Club helps not just the people in our community, but as a national outreach as well!
So, what do the Lions support? Some of the local projects include maintenance of the town's swimming pool, which by the way, turned 50 this year! The Wanamingo Community Center on Main Street that hosts several activities during the year, including fund raisers, craft fairs, special meals and meetings for all kinds of functions is maintained with funds the Lions donate. The Kenyon/Wanamingo ball fields are kept groomed with the funds raised, as well as the after prom party each year, scholastic scholarships for our students, and the 4th grade dictionary donations. The local Lions Club also supports regional, national and international projects by combining their money with other larger projects. These include the Minnesota Lions Diabetes Foundation, the Lions Hearing Foundation, the Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation, Can Do Canines, Project New Hope, and the Minnesota Special Olympics! That's a whole lot of supporting going on!
So, back to the fundraiser that supports about half of all these projects...... Community members can purchase a calendar for a donation. The unofficial donation suggested is $10, but any amount will do. Have an extra $20 in your pocket? It all goes to help others, and your generosity is gratefully accepted! Only have a $5 bill? All donations are welcomed. With the purchase of the calendar, you may have your special occasions printed on the calendar for all your friends and neighbors to read! Birthdays of your family members, anniversaries, whatever it is you want people to know! And local businesses have the opportunity to put their advertising on the calendars as well. Imagine your business on a calendar that will be looked at for an entire year!
Have you ever considered joining the Lions Club? Now that you know that they help both our local community and regional projects, and is a great way to meet people and help with the planning and carrying out of all the good deeds, you can contact Lion Daniel Radloff at (651) 262- 8779. One of the projects you can look forward to are the monthly meetings, held the first Thursday of each month in the Wanamingo Community Center on Main Street at 6:30 pm. A list of the regular activities are:
Highway 60 ditch cleanup, spring and fall
Pancake meals in February or May
Corn feed in August
Soup cookoff in January
Christmas in Wanamingo Bell ringing for the Salvation Army
Dictionary donations to the K/W 4th grade students in November
Leader Dogs for the blind
4th of July in Wanamingo several fundraisers on the 3rd and 4th
Halloween Dance @ K/W Middle School
So, there you have it! Now we all know what those Lions are up to! If you are interested in attending the meetings, call Daniel!
