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December 2006

(Click Here for Newsletter Archives)

Becky's Bits

Dear Fellow Lions;

I hope that each of you had a good Thanksgiving. I can’t believe that the Holiday season is already here. With December here that means a lot of us Lions will be working hard collecting food, delivering food baskets, participating in Christmas Parades, buying toys for kids, helping local families with Christmas, and so many other great things we do as Lions.

When I see or hear of the things Lions are during this time of year, I feel proud to be serving as your District Governor. It is amazing all the things we are doing here in District 2-X2 between mid November and the end of the year. When you put that with the rest of the State of Texas and then the rest of the World, we are serving the way Melvin Jones wanted us to do when he founded Lions International almost 90 years ago.

Lions’ President Jimmy Ross has asked us to get back to the basic of our motto “We Serve”. This time of the year, Lions of East Texas and around the world are doing just that. More than ever, we are serving our community and making a difference to those in need. Each of you should know that this is what Lionism is all about. It’s not about the club meetings or board/committee meetings or even your fundraisers (I know we need them to do the things we do). It’s about serving those in need. It’s about giving your time and effort to make a difference in someone else’s life. It’s about you meeting the needs of others, and I want to thank each of you and your clubs for doing all you do. Together, we are serving for all the world to see.

After you have served your community, I hope that each of you will take time during this holiday season for yourself and for your family. You deserve it. But, before that, I ask that you locate in this newsletter information regarding our Mid-Winter Conference on Saturday, January 20th in Tyler. Please fill this out and send it in before the end of the year. We will be having a very nice sit down luncheon, which will require a head count for the caterer. Reservations will need to be made prior to our meeting. If you wait to register on-site, there is no guarantee that you will be able to be served. We have lots in store for you and your members. Please look over the agenda carefully and invite everyone in your club to attend this meeting. Our guest speaker at lunch will be Warren Bradley. Warren has been on the radio for years at different stations here in East Texas, and has recently been working in Branson, MO. Lots of fun will be had, so make plans now; you will not want to miss out.

I hope that each of you will be filled with love and joy this holiday season. I am wishing all of you the very best. May the Spirit of the season be with you through out the coming year. Stay warm, be safe and again, thanks for all you.

Peace and Blessing to all.

From The Desk Of Vdg Jim Merritt

Here it is November, and it doesn’t seem possible for time to pass so fast. Some of our clubs have been struggling to stay together in the last few months, and we need all of your help to keep membership intact in our clubs. If you know of a club that is having problems, please let Lion Governor Becky or me know, and we will do our best to help out!

We have just returned from a weekend meeting in San Angelo-- the Council Governors from across MD2 along with other Lions from across the State of Texas. With the help of IPDG Leon VanAlstine, our District 2X2 has been able to obtain a trailer to be used in transporting eyeglasses for recycling. He was in San Angelo and there was discussion of putting the names of clubs, officers, and interested individuals on the trailer. The cost is $60.00 for individuals and $100.00 for a club’s name to be put on the trailer.

Recycling is a wonderful opportunity to assist a young person who is struggling to obtain funds for eyeglasses so they can excel in school with improved vision! Or perhaps someone in Guatemala needs assistance with their sight so they may have a productive life. Our Wake Village Lions Club has collected & donated over 1,500 pairs of glasses in the last two months. The list of services can go on and on and that is what we as Lions are dedicated to doing – WE SERVE.

We have received some more correspondence from our own International President Jimmy Ross. He wants Lions to be aware of the new family friendly form of membership that will be available January 1, 2007. It is the Family Friendly Club Concept. This new form of membership means there will be new ideas, new hands, and youthful enthusiasm which will help your club find ways to serve your community with meaningful and productive programs. President Ross is encouraging clubs to adopt this new form of membership and watch for all the new benefits! For more details on this important task, ask your club president or secretary.

The Holiday Season will soon be here, so make plans early for your participation in the Mid-Winter Conference to be held in Tyler. We are looking forward to seeing you all soon! Our best wishes for a happy and safe Christmas holiday.

Lions World Services for the Blind

Hello Fellow Lions,

As District 2x2 chairman of LIONS WORLD SERVICES FOR THE BLIND, it is my pleasure to present this article for this month's newsletter.

Lions World Services for the Blind, LWSB, was founded in 1947 by Roy Kumpe, who was himself visually impaired. LWSB is a school and a training facility, but much more than that it represents hope and a beacon of light for blind and visually impaired adults. The programs, training, and guidance offered at LWSB enable people with vision problems to acclimate to the sighted world and become functioning, productive members of society. Blind people today do not sit on street corners selling pencils hoping for your spare change, nor are they destined to a life in an institution. Today these citizens are a part of the world, the country, and the community you and I -- and they -- share together: working, shopping, traveling, and enjoying life.

One of the main reasons this is possible is because of LWSB. At this rehabilitation facility, located in Little Rock, Arkansas, people come from all over the world (all 50 states and 58 countries, to date) to receive personal adjustment skills and job training to enable them to lead a productive, independent life. The personal adjustment programs include 30 areas to help people achieve a well-rounded and healthy attitude toward their visual disability. They learn how to use a white (long) cane, how to read Braille, cooking and housekeeping skills, personal grooming habits, and transportation skills. The program also covers stress reduction and the development of self-esteem. They are coached on how to dress and act for job interviews. They learn special ways to fold money, to distinguish coins, and how to write checks. They develop methods to identify clothing articles in their closet. In short, they learn independent living skills.

In addition to personal skills, LWSB offers vocational training in 13 areas, including horticulture, customer service, word processing, small engine repair, business management, bicycle assembly and repair and assistive technology instructor. Since 1967 job-specific training programs for the IRS have been available. These include collection reps and taxpayer service reps. IRS representatives visit the facility to evaluate and interview potential employees for an additional 4-5 month long training program. Upon satisfactory completion of training, the IRS relocates the newly hired employee and assists them in finding a place to call home.

The average training cost (which includes tuition, room and board) is $4,500 per month per student. Approximately sixty-three percent of LWSB's funding comes from state and federal rehabilitation funds. Lions Clubs, individuals, contributing foundation grants and corporate support provides the remainder. Since 1947 LWSB has served over 9,000 blind and visually impaired individuals. Over 1,000 of these were Texans. There are currently 11 Texas trainees at the facility, and another six have completed their training this year.

District 2x2 Lions contribute $2.00 per member per year to this charity.

Since fiscal 2001-2002, we have donated over $14,000.00 to LWSB. Be proud of that, Lions -- we have made a major impact on many trainees to enable them to lead productive lives! In addition to our annual contribution, there are several levels of giving in which Texas Lions can participate. These include:

  1. Century member- $100.00 - $249.00
  2. Patron- $250.00 - $499.00
  3. Order of the Silver Cane- $500.00 - $999.00
  4. Roy Kumpe Society- $1,000 (can be by accumulative donations)
  5. President's Council- 1,000 - $2,499
  6. Sponsor- $2,500 - $4,999
  7. Knights of the Blind- $5,000 - $9,999
  8. Benefactor- $10,000 and over
Each of these levels qualifies the donor for special recognition commensurate to the dollar amount.

At least 1-1/2 million Americans are blind or suffer severe vision impairment. 1.3 million are of employable age, yet 75% of those are un-employed or under-employed. Even with the medical advancements and new sight-saving surgical techniques available today, more than 50,000 Americans annually will have severe loss of vision. The leading causes of low vision and blindness are diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, detached retina and head injuries.

Helen Keller once said "What a terrible thing to see, but to have no vision." Lions, WE have a VISION....WE SERVE...and WE do make a difference in the lives of many. Thank you for your past and continued support of LIONS WORLD SERVICES FOR THE BLIND.

Submitted by Patricia Guy, LWSB Chairman, District 2x2

District 2X2 Obituary

Lion Weldon McCord - New Boston Noon
PDG H.L. Ashcroft - Longview

Club News

Pittsburg Lions Club recently voted to assist a blind person to get a computer and “jaws” program . The young man has attend LWSB twice, once for blindness adjustment and once for computer training. He also attended Leader Dog School.

Diabetes Information

(Taken From www.prevention.com)

1. The three major categories of diabetes are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. The latter occurs during pregnancy and is usually temporary (lasting only through pregnancy). Type 1 or type 2 diabetes can lead to serious complications from high glucose levels, including blindness, kidney disease and nerve damage, as well as vascular disease that can lead to amputations, heart disease and stroke. Gestational diabetes places a woman at greater risk of developing type 2 at some later time in her life.
2. The new term "pre-diabetes" describes an increasingly common condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet diabetic. Research supported by the US Department of Health and Human Services has shown that most people with this condition go on to develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years unless they make modest changes in their diet and level of physical activity, which can help them reduce their risks and avoid the debilitating disease.
3. An estimated 20.8 million people in the US have diabetes, and nearly one third of those do not know they have it. Another 41 million people have pre-diabetes. Each year, about 1.3 million people are diagnosed with diabetes and more than 200,000 die from the disease.
4. Diabetes can strike at any age, but your risk for developing the disease increases as you age. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes increased by more than 60 percent from 1990 to 2001. The number of Americans with diabetes is growing by an alarming eight percent per year and the disease is the single most prevalent chronic illness in children.
5. Key risk factors that you can control are obesity and sedentary lifestyle. If you are more than 20 percent above your ideal weight and rarely exercise, have your glucose tested and discuss a fitness plan with a health care professional. Losing even 10 pounds and exercising three times a week cuts your chances of developing diabetes.
6. Risk factors that you can't control are age, family history of diabetes and ethnic heritage. African Americans, Latino/Hispanics, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders and Asians are all more likely to develop type 2 diabetes (although Northern Europeans are more likely to contract type 1).
7. The best test for diabetes is one that measures fasting plasma glucose. The normal, nondiabetic range for blood glucose is from 70 to 100mg/dL. A level over 126 mg/dL usually means diabetes. A fasting plasma glucose test of 100 mg/dL or greater, but less than 126 mg/dL, indicates impaired fasting glucose or pre-diabetes, a frequent precursor to diabetes.
8. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, you can cut by half or more your risk of developing many of the associated complications-such as kidney disease and neuropathy-by following an intensive glucose management regimen, which includes frequently testing blood sugar, administering insulin (if applicable) on the basis of food intake and exercise, following a diet and exercise plan, and frequently consulting a health care team.
9. You should not smoke.
10. There is no cure for diabetes. However, it is almost always manageable, either with diet and exercise alone or with the addition of regular medical treatment. Diet and exercise also are key to reducing risk.
11. It's important to control the "ABCs" of diabetes: A for the A1C test (hemoglobin A1C); B for blood pressure and C for cholesterol. The National Institutes of Health and the American Diabetes Association recommend the following target numbers: A1C: below 7 (an average blood glucose of 150); blood pressure below 130/80; and LDL cholesterol below 100. Talk to your health care professional about your "ABC" targets and your blood pressure (keeping it at less than 130/80) and LDL cholesterol (less than 100 mg/dL is optimal for individuals with diabetes; less than 70 mg/dL is desirable for those with both diabetes and heart disease).

August Birthdays

 Send birthdays to aprilm128@aol.com

Sept 18 Sandy Bullard Sept 30 JaLorne Keesler

A Note of Thanks

The following letter was sent to the Mineola Lions Club:

Members of the Mineola Lions Club,
Thank you for helping me pay for my glasses.  Now that I have them, I am able to see things written on the board at school with no problem at all.  That is a very good thing for me, because now I am doing better in school thanks to you all.
The glasses have helped me a lot at home and at school. I am very thankful for your help and generosity.  If only everyone in the world were as kind as you all.  I thank God for people like you who care and do nice things for other people.  I hope you keep on helping others like you helped my brothers and me.
Once again, thank you for everything you have done for me.  God bless you all and keep you safe.

Texas Lions Camp

The following clubs are 100% to Texas Lions Camp:
Bogata
Cypress Springs
Daingerfield
Dodd City
Edgewood
Gladewater
Hallsville 		Henderson
Judson
Liberty City
Longview
Marshall
Mineola
Mt. Pleasant 		New Boston Evening
New London
Spring Hill
Sulphur Springs
White Oak
Windom

District Calendar Of Events

November 8- Region I Zone I meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Smokey Joe’s Resturant in Nash, hosted by the Nash Lions Club
November 11– Edgewood Pancake Breakfast 7-11 and Bazzar 9-?? - Masonic Lodge—$5 donation all you can eat
November 11- Gladewater Turkey Shoot, 8:00-5:00, Gladewater Airport
November 11- Cypress Springs Turkey Shoot, 10:00-4:00, FM 115 and 1448
November 15- Peace Poster District Deadline
November 18- Wake Village and Nash Bucket Shake, 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. at the intersection of Hwy 82 and Kings Hwy
November 18—Hawkins Turkey Shoot and Raffle Drawing—Contact Lion Dan Sadler for tickets 903-769-2257
November 18-Ore City Lions Club Auction—10 am, Pole Barn (items are needed for auction, call James 903-968-3164)
December 15- District 2X2 Hall of Fame Nomination Deadline
January 20- Midwinter Conference in Tyler
May 4-5- District Convention in Longview
Have your events listed here by emailing Lion April McCright at aprilm128@aol.com

Need an Easy, Worry-free, Hassle-free Fundraiser?

Call Lion Mac LaGrone from the Hallsville Lions Club

We can help!

Top Fundraisers of East Texas offers:

  • candles made by Candles & Moore (50% profit)
  • cookie dough (42% profit)
  • pizzas (40% profit)
  • pies & cheesecakes (40% profit)
  • corn dogs/breakfast sticks (40% profit)
  • Texas salsa (50 - 75% profit)
  • special occasion bears by Beary Thoughtful (50% profit)
  • ultimate beverage collection including:  coffees, teas, cappuchinos (40% profit)
Please click on our website to see all of our product lines:
http://www.topfundraisersofeasttx.com/
All of our products are personally sorted and delivered by us.  You will not have to worry if the freight truck will show up on the wrong day or especially the wrong time.  We will work with you on the date and delivery time that you want.  We strive to take care of you from beginning to end.

Other benefits with Top Fundraisers of East Texas:

THERE ARE NO MINIMUMS TO RECEIVE THE PROFITS WE OFFER!  Most companies offer free shipping but will add in hidden shipping cost by offering less profit if you do not fulfill a minimum amount.   

NO PAPERWORK FOR YOU AS A SPONSOR!  You simply just send us your order forms and we do all the work for you. 

PRIZES!  We offer prize programs as well as free product incentives to students.

if interested, please call: 1-888-918-5598 

New Members

Rosalie Catania - Canton
Kenneth Yancey - Canton
Jane Campbell - Canton
Brandie Duncan - Canton
Kerry Wells - Linden
Eucline Richardson - Linden
Bryan Hodge - Marshall
Larry Petty - Mt Pleasant
Dia Dodson - Pittsburg
Russell Brown - Quitman
Jimmy Richards - Yantis Lake Fork

MITCHELL URGES OTHERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LIONS YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM

The following article was written by Marlene J. Bohr and appeared in the July 27, 2006 edition of the Pittsburg Gazette:

Camp County resident, Wanda Mitchell, has an open door for the youth of other countries.

Mrs. Mitchell, a member of the Pittsburg Lions Club, has hosted more than a dozen young people through the Lions Youth Exchange Program.

“This is a culture exchange and not a student exchange,” Mrs. Mitchell said. “People involved in the program are between the ages of 15 and 21. These young people are not here for study, but for cultural exchange.”

Mrs. Mitchell said the exchange usually lasts six weeks in Texas.

“There are usually two families lined up as Texas areas are so different,” she said. “Then the students can visit two different places and see varied things.”

Marco Parisi, 17, from Italy is visiting Mrs. Mitchell at this time. He is from Parma, Italy, a large city.

“Marco was able to sneak up on a baby calf when it was resting and pet it,” Mrs. Mitchell said. “He also was very excited and took several pictures of real, live longhorns.”

The Kilgore Oil Museum is a place Mrs. Mitchell takes her visitors. She also takes one day of their visit to tour the four state area, so students can get a glimpse of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

Mrs. Mitchell is an avid supporter of the Lions Youth Exchange. Along with Marco, she recently visited the Hughes Springs Lions Club to urge others to participate in this exchange.