It was moving day on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, for Morrison Lions. After many years meeting in the upstairs banquet room at Happy Joe’s, 109 W. Main Street, Morrison, IL, members were happy to use the newly opened room on street level. Thank you to the Kenadys for their huge renovation project.
Donations were approved at the last business meeting. A one-time donation was made to Lions Club International for their Measles Initiative. This is a campaign to stamp out measles around the world. Lions Clubs International and Lions have promised to raise $30 million by 2017 to support vaccinations. When that goal is reached, matching funds will be provided for a total of $60 million. The safe, effective measles vaccine costs about $1. This is a most worthwhile campaign, as measles is a leading cause of blindness.
Another donation was made to the White Oaks Therapeutic Equestrian Center. Many volunteers are involved with the Center to provide therapy through horseback riding for persons with disabilities, age four through adult. The Center is housed at the Whiteside County Fairgrounds and has been in existence since 1996.
As a service project, Morrison Lions members will assist the City in placing and removing the flags along Route 30 and Route 78 this Memorial Day. This is another way of keeping the Lions motto, “WE SERVE.” Recently, information was distributed to students through the fifth grade to enter their decorated bicycle in the Memorial Day Parade. Judging will take place at 10:00 a.m. at the former Vend-Omack parking lot (409 E. Main Street) prior to the parade, which starts at 10:30 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to the winning bicycles.
Members welcomed Jim Ridley as a new member, and he will be installed at the meeting on Tuesday, June 6. This is one day prior to the Lions Clubs International celebrating 100 years. All Lions Clubs were urged to install new members on the anniversary date. Lions Clubs International will hold a Centennial Celebration in Chicago, IL, from Friday, June 30, through Tuesday, July 4. On Saturday, July 1, a Lions International Parade of Nations will be held in downtown Chicago. This will be a huge event with Lions from all over the world in attendance.
Ken Jansma, right, was in charge of the program for Tuesday, May 2. He introduced Tami Tegeler, Secretary of the Illinois High School Rodeo Association District 1. She gave an informative program of the different competitions, including barrel racing, pole bending, team roping, steer wrestling, bareback riding, saddle bronco, and bull riding.
She talked about several other competitions that would be included at the rodeo, held recently at the fairgrounds in Morrison. Students were competing to qualify for the State competition. Approximately 80 high school students and 60 junior high students were expected to compete.
Morrison Lions meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month (except July and August with no meetings) at Happy Joe’s. We welcome all who are interested in knowing more of what Lions do to come to any of our meetings.
You may also check our website to learn more about the club, our projects, and activities at www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/morrisonil.