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Published: 24 June 2018 24 June 2018

June 22^nd and 23^rd the Lions Striders team competed in the 8^th annual SLAM T1D Vermont Summer Classic Wiffleball tournament held at Little Fenway in Essex Vermont.  SLAM T1D is a non-profit that raises funds to improve the lives of people living with TID.  They accomplish this by partnering with the Barton Center for Diabetes Education to host the Vermont Overnight Camp. They also work to broaden public awareness of diabetes and seek to empower TIDs of all ages to advocate for themselves, develop optimal T1D-management regimens, and to live life in full.

Middlebury Lions Paul Desabrais and Jesse Gillette led our team effort, joined by PDG Ken Emory and a great group of volunteer players who just wanted to have fun and play ball.  The odds on the Lions Striders had us ranked 8^th prior to start of the tournament. No one was more surprised than the team when we found ourselves placing second overall in the Championship game.

The real winners are the kids who will benefit from our fundraising efforts.  The Lions Striders were able to donate $4,385 to SLAM T1D and we thank all those Lions and Lions Clubs who stepped forward to donate.  The 14 teams donated a combined $71,895 to SLAM T1D.   That’s a lot of kids attending camp and a lot of services provided to area diabetics.

The experience itself was rewarding.  We had a chance to meet and compete with Cayden and his team the “Fighting Wifflers” Cayden was diagnosed with T1D when he was only 2 years old.  He is now 8.

The "Breaking Ballers" team was formed by Carrie Ashley. “My 18 yr old son Eli (photo below left, he's on the right), was diagnosed with T1D on his 5th birthday. Eli has never known what it's like to be at school, play sports, work or be with friends without worrying about his T1D. It is a relentless, non-stop 24/7 disease that never takes a break. Let's improve the lives of all children and adults living with T1D by raising awareness. As our children grow up and become independent, they should feel safe, whether it's at college, at a job or anywhere, awareness can save lives!”

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Published: 22 June 2018 22 June 2018

MMU LEO Joanna (Jody) Wright honored

On June 3rd, after a fun afternoon volunteering at Special Olympics, the Mount Mansfield Union Leo Club members, along with family and friends celebrated their year of Service with a picnic.  The Leo Advisor, Lion Will Wright, (Jericho-Underhill Lions Club) recapped the Leo club's yearlong accomplishments and recognized several individual members for excellence in hours volunteered to the community. Congratulations were also given to all of the MMU Leo's for what they accomplished together.

The 2018 Vermont Lions Charities Richard Dutil "We Serve" Leo Award was presented to Leo Joanna Grace Wright by Brandon-Forest Dale Lion Jackie Dutil.  Leo Jody was honored for her many volunteered hours, innovative thinking leading to numerous accomplishments, and her leadership skill.   Also noted was her forward thinking to train others with leadership skills; building confidence and keeping participation enjoyable and long lasting.

About the VLC Richard Dutil “We Serve” Leo Club Service Award

As an active member of the Brandon/Forest Dale Lions Club and VT District 45 for more than three decades, Rick Dutil showed dedication to his club, VT District 45, and his community through countless hours of and acts of service to others.

At the time of his death, Lion Rick was President of Vermont Lions Charities.  Donations were received from family, friends, and lion’s club members throughout VT in his memory, establishing an annual $2,000 “We Serve” Leo Award in his honor.

To qualify as a possible recipient, a graduating Senior Leo Club member shall have demonstrated a similar history of personal commitment of service to their community, and been an active member of their Leo Club for more than one year.

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Published: 06 June 2018 06 June 2018

Heartland Lions Send Youth to Diabetes Camp

By Lion Carol Greene - The Heartland Lions Club received a request from a family in Sharon, Vermont for financial assistance to send their 7 year old son with severe diabetes to summer camp.  The cost was $1,260.00. I  knew there had to be a way to help this family.   With diabetes he was not able to attend a regular summer camp.  With the help of VLC, Heartland Lions Club and his family we have a happy 7 year old boy headed for Barton's Vermont Overnight Diabetes Camp in South Hero, Vermont.  What a great feeling to be able to say the Lions helped them out. The family was ecstatic with joy and the boy has already started packing for camp.  This is why we are Lions, we help when there is a need!  

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Published: 06 June 2018 06 June 2018

Whitingham-Halifax Lions support for The Gathering Place brings kindness full circle for a Lion and his family

Pictured: Gathering Place Board President Andrew Loney; Karen Hein, Ralph Dell, Gathering Place Site Director Tanya Powling , Gathering Place Executive Director Maggie Lewis and Whitingham-Halifax Lions Club President Jen Betit.

Article by Lion Patience Merriman - 

For many years, Ralph Dell was an active member of the Whitingham-Halifax Lions Club.  He helped raise funds, walked in parades and participated in meetings.  But in 2010, Ralph, a retired pediatrician and public health advocate, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

 Today, thanks in part to support from his Lions Club, Ralph is now a regular client at The Gathering Place’s new location in West Dover.  On Monday, June 4, the center hosted a special “Thank You” dinner for the Whitingham-Halifax Lions, to acknowledge the Club’s financial support for the new facility. 

Executive Director Maggie Lewis gave tours of the center and explained the Gathering Place’s mission to the Lions. She also presented outgoing Lions president Jen Betit with a certificate of appreciation.

“What goes around comes around,” said Lion Mark Hanna.  “Our club made a donation to help The Gathering Place come to Dover, and now The Gathering Place is helping Ralph and other local seniors live with joy and dignity right here in the community.”

According to Ralph’s wife, Karen Hein, Ralph enjoyed going to the Gathering Place in Brattleboro.  “But travel time to the Dover location is half what it was to go over the mountain to Brattleboro.  Seeing the MOOver bus coming up our driveway makes us both smile— it means that Ralph’s off for a great day of activities with participants and staff who really care, and I can do the zillion things I need and want to do as well.”

The new Gathering Place location, in the old First Wok building on Route 100 in West Dover, has been extensively renovated and is now a bright, welcoming and fully-equipped facility offering a comprehensive range of programs and services for adults – everything from healthy meals and activities programs to personal grooming assistance.

Karen Hein notes that caregivers benefit just as much as clients from the services The Gathering Pl ace provides. “Caregiving is such a big responsibility,” she explains. “The Gathering Place allows both of us to live and love fully—knowing that Ralph is surrounded by kind, knowledgeable, professional caregivers during the week days, giving me time to take good care of our household ... and take care of myself as well!"