Saturday, September 26, 2009

Welcome!

Welcome to the Horsham Lions Club Blog!

What is a "blog", you may ask?

Simply, a blog is short for "Web Log", a log that is on the internet. Consider it a diary, a daily event calendar showing things that we find important to share with others.

Who are the Lions anyway?
Where is Horsham? What's in Horsham?
CLICK HERE to see our eyeglass dropoff locations!
CLICK HERE to download our newsletters!
CLICK HERE for our meeting agendas and meeting minutes.

ROLL DOWN to read all about what the Lions are up to!

We meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month, at 7pm. at the Horsham Days Inn.

The Days Inn is located at 245 Easton Road, Horsham, PA 19044.

We welcome new members!

Come help us help the community, come learn what Lions are about, come apply for membership!

More information?
HorshamPALions@gmail.com
Lion Andy Weiss 267-714-8884

White Cane Day Comes Early!

White Cane Day came early this year, because Wawa could only fit us in on September 19th instead of a date in October. Regardless, we earned several hundred dollars for White Cane charities, thanks to the help of Lions Tara Smith, Steve Girone, Jules Olita, and new member Bart Allgeier.


Meet our Newest Members!


Join us in welcoming our two newest Horsham Lions Club members!

Pictured above, left to right: sponsor and charter member Larry Glemser, new member Bart Allgeier, new member Nipul Patel, and PDG Ted Truver.

Larry knows Nipul because they are both merchants, located near each other. And Larry knows Bart through his service in the military.

At last count, we now have SIX new members in 2009 !!

Hatboro-Horsham Kiwanis Beef & Beer

The Hatboro-Horsham Kiwanis Club will be holding a Beef & Beer fundraiser at the North Penn VFW Post 676 in Jenkintown, on November 7th, from 7pm-11pm. Tickets are $25 each.

Proceeds benefit Tanner Park in Hatboro and the Kiwanis Club scholarship fund.

Contact Susan Goodreds at 215-674-2500 extension 557 for tickets or information.

Guest Speaker December 3rd

During our December 3rd meeting, we will be hosting Mr. Marshall Gisondi.  Marshall, who is vision-impaired, is a professional piano tuner and technician.

He was trained at School of Piano Technology for the Blind, located in Vancouver, Washington.  The school has been in place, educating the blind to repair and service pianos since 1949.

Come join us to meet this amazing individual and learn about the school which has been training the blind for decades.

Guest Speaker November 5th

During our November 5th meeting, we will be hosting Ms. Amy Kaissar from the Bristol Riverside Theater.

Come join us and learn about this local professional theater and its slate of upcoming performances.

Helping Our Community

Just a few recent examples of how the Horsham Lions Club helps the community:
  • In August, we donated $150 toward the purchase of new eyeglasses for an Abington High School teacher's aid who could not afford them.
     
  • In September, we donated $200 to cover the co-pay for two cataract surgeries for an elderly Ambler woman.
     
  • Also in September, we donated another $100 toward the purchase of new eyeglasses for a disabled Norristown woman.
LIONS, this is the benefit that your efforts have given! FRIENDS, we cannot do this if we can't raise funds. Please support your local service organization!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Meet our 2009 Scholarship Recipients

In July 2009, the Horsham Lions Club presented $750 scholarships to three seniors, and $1,500 to one senior from the Horsham area, totaling $3,000 in scholarships.

Pictured above, left to right are: Jeffrey Smith from Lansdale Catholic High School, and Jessica Lloyd and Erica Sokoloski, both from Hatboro-Horsham High School.

The club strives to present several scholarships to local students each year, in an effort to assist in furthering the education of community-minded young adults. The students were chosen anonymously, and the choice was made not only on academic merit, but on the level of community and humanitarian involvement the students have displayed. Since beginning the scholarship program, the Horsham Lions Club has presented more than $150,000 in scholarship money to local students.

Mr. Smith received the sole $1,500 scholarship, which was named in memory of Max Hankin (deceased), longtime Horsham entrepreneur and participant in the Lions Club. He and his wife Janet Hankin (also deceased) have helped the Lions in innumerable ways over the years. Without their support and the support of their family, scholarships such as these would not be possible.

** MORE PHOTOS -- CLICK HERE **

Jeffrey Smith attended Lansdale Catholic High School. He’ll be going to Hofstra University this fall, studying theater. Jeff is a very proud Eagle Scout, the highest rank a Boy Scout can achieve. He’s been very active in his church youth group, and has lent his time to several charitable organizations. He’s received many honors for leadership and service. Jeff also organized a used-coat drive last winter.

Erica Sokoloski attended Hatboro-Horsham High School, and will be going to Gwynedd Mercy College this fall. She hasn’t yet decided upon a major. She’s also been very active in Key Club in school, and has been an avid dancer since a very young age. Erica has volunteered for things like Relay for Life, a Diabetes walk, and also volunteers at a local retirement home. She has the unique distinction of having a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

Jessica Lloyd went to Hatboro-Horsham High School, and will be attending Immaculata College this fall, studying Accounting / Business. Jessica has been very active within Key Club (an extension of the Kiwanis Clubs in high schools). She’s volunteered for many service projects, including Special Olympics, Relay for Life, and in soup kitchens. She did this while maintaining a tremendous GPA

Please join us in congratulating these students and encouraging their continued growth!

Friday, July 17, 2009

Horsham Day 2009

Our Horsham Day 2009 fundraiser was a tremendous success, we earned more money this year than in any year past. This is a pretty amazing statement, considering we sold out of roast pork by 6pm.


(Lion John Campisi with the remains of our roast pork)

Thanks to all the Lions who planned, prepared, and worked hard on Horsham Day (hope I didn't leave anyone out)  :

John Bill                  
John Campisi
Jim Faber
Larry Glemser
Joe Nemath
Tara Smith      
Shirley Truver
Ted Truver
Joe Turchi
Don Edmunds
Todd Tuckey

A HUGE THANKS also goes out to the high school volunteers we had, from both Hatboro Horsham High School as well as Abington High School:

Lauren Purvis                 
Tyler Martin
George Jiruska
Ashley O'Connell
Liz Calvin                  
Carolyn Walker
Matt Forman
Lisa Young
Robert Martinelli     
Mary Kate Suhy
Shannon Stemler
Maria Ohrenrich

Another HUGE THANKS goes out to Sam Braccia for graciously donating our roast pig for yet another year. Sam is one class act.
 
This year we partnered with Tori's Gourmet Water Ice, who sold ice cream as well as water ice at Horsham Day. The people at Tori's were kind enough to donate a portion of their profits for the day to the Horsham Lions Club. This was IN ADDITION to a very generous sponsorship donation we received from Tori's.


www.TorisGourmetWaterIce.com

FINALLY we'd like to thank the following two local businesses, who sponsored the event for our club in the form of donations or services:

     
Nemath Building Services
www.Nemath.com
SmithPrints, Inc.
www.SmithPrints.com

Genuardi's Donates 300+ Eyeglasses

Below is a press release issued this week by Genuardi's...
 
NORRISTOWN, Pa., — July 13, 2009 — Genuardi’s Market in Maple Glen recently donated more than 300 pairs of new eyeglasses to the Horsham Lions Club. In early 2009, when Genuardi’s purchased the former Glen Center Pharmacy, the eyeglasses were part of the pharmacy’s existing inventory. After the pharmacy relocated inside the Maple Glen store, Genuardi’s decided to donate the eyeglasses.
 
“We’re thrilled to donate these new eyeglasses to the Horsham Lions Club,” said Maryanne Crager, public affairs manager for Genuardi’s. “Members of the Horsham Lions Club work diligently throughout the year to collect and re-distribute new and used eyeglasses to preserve the precious gift of sight and help prevent blindness.”
 
The Lions Club is the world’s largest service club organization. Lions clubs perform numerous charitable deeds and are recognized worldwide for their service to the blind and visually impaired. Their commitment to sight is exemplified through the collection and recycling of new and used eyeglasses for distribution to the visually impaired.
 
In addition to collecting eyeglasses, the Horsham Lions Club provides assistance to those in need requiring cataract surgery, awards scholarships to high school seniors, and provides holiday dinners for the needy. Andy Weiss, treasurer of the Horsham Lions Club said, “We would not be able to accomplish all that we do without the help of companies like Genuardi’s. We are so grateful to Genuardi’s for this generous donation so that we can help others see.” Andy said that the Horsham Lions Club has a membership of 32 and is eager to attract new members. For more information visit their web site at Horshamlions.com or contact Andy at 215-901-6951.

(Lion Andy Weiss, and Maple Glen Genuardi's manager Donna Mundy)
(yes, I know, I should have smiled)

For more than 85 years, Genuardi’s has been serving Delaware Valley consumers. Nearly 5,000 team members operate 37 stores throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, carrying on the company traditions of freshness, quality, great value and legendary customer service. Genuardi’s has been a division of Safeway Inc. since February 2001.
 
ABOUT SAFEWAY www.Safeway.com
Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 50 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. The company operates 1,739 stores in the United States and western Canada and had annual sales of $44.1 billion in 2008. The company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY. Safeway supports a broad range of charitable and community programs and in 2008 donated more than $248 million to important causes, such as cancer research, education and hunger relief.

New Eyeglass Dropoff Location

The Horsham Lions Club wishes to thank Dr. Mary OKoren at Willow Eye Care for agreeing to host one of our eyeglass collection boxes.
 
Willow Eye Care is located in the Executive Mews at 2300 Computer Avenue, Suite A2, in Willow Grove. Their website is:
 
www.WillowEyeCareOfPA.com

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

2009 Horsham Day Dunk Tank



Thanks to everyone who came out to support the Lions at Horsham Day!


Click HERE to see who got DUNKED and who DUNKED them!


Be sure to visit our 2010 DUNK TANK

website next year

(look for it around April)

and sign up to sit in our dunk booth!

Friday, May 29, 2009

Stroke Prevention Seminar

Jenifer Seboek from Life Line Screening came to visit us during our May 7th dinner meeting. She educated the Lions with the basic facts about strokes, common risk factors, and how to prevent them.

Life Line Screening offers up to 5 different tests to screen you for increased stroke risks. Life Line Screening operates traveling test centers which roam the country, and come to our area several times a year. The test scans take between 60-90 minutes and are totally painless. For more information visit:

www.LifeLineScreening.com.


Two New Members Inducted!


Join us in welcoming two newly inducted members to the Horsham Lions Club!

Pictured left to right are new members Allan Weinstein, Donnie Edmunds, and PDG Al Outland, who officiated our induction.

Allan has recently returned to this area from Florida, where he was active in a local Lions Club. He now lives in Jenkintown.

Donnie has joined us along with his business partner Joe Turchi. The two own and operate Tori’s Water Ice located on Route 611 near Maple Ave.

Sunday, March 01, 2009

New Member Inducted

Please join us in welcoming our newest Horsham Lion, Mr. Todd Tuckey. Todd is sponsored by treasurer Andy Weiss. Todd has lived in Horsham for several years. He has a wife and two daughters. Todd owns his own arcade amusements company.

Pictured below (L to R): Inductor PDG Ted Truver, Todd Tuckey, sponsor Andy Weiss.

Sight Night 2008

Last Halloween, girls from three localGirl Scout troops collected more than candy during Trick-or-Treat.

The troops partnered with the Horsham Lions Club to collect used eyeglasses. The girls handed out flyers to houses in their neighborhoods a week before Halloween. The flyers told the neighbors that the girls will be visiting during Trick-or-Treat on Halloween night to collect eyeglasses.

This is the third year the Horsham Lions Club has partnered with Girl Scouts to collect eyeglasses. This effort is called Sight Night, it's led by the Gift of Sight foundation, and you can learn more by visiting their website: www.SightNight.org.

Each troop accumulated the eyeglasses and gave them to the Horsham Lions Club. The Lions will then have the eyeglasses cleaned, repaired, and redistributed to those in need in developing countries like Guatemala and Haiti.

In total, more than one hundred pairs were collected. Pictured below is Jennifer Crosby's troop (top), and Karin Davis' troop (bottom).


Monday, October 27, 2008

Representative Tom Murt Visits

During our October 16th meeting, State Representative Tom Murt visited our club.

The representative is running for re-election this fall in the 152nd district. The Lions thank Representative Murt for coming to meet the Lions and exchange ideas.

The representative hopes his prior two years on the job will encourage voters to re-elect him. He's done many things over his short career as elected official, all of which he is very proud of.

His office is the busiest state representative office in the Pennsylvania. He's fought for legislation to help families with Autistic and special-needs children, as well as legislation that helps adults with Autism, Tourettes, and other special needs. He's helped parents fight for funding and services from their local school districts.

He's worked to get several historical markers placed around Hatboro, including bids to erect memorials for Vietnam and Korean War veterans. He's also started a "Visiting Santa" program, where the representative (dressed as Santa Claus!) comes to visit children who may not be able to get to the shopping malls in order to tell Santa their wish lists.

Tom is a local guy, who knows the area very well. He's a teacher. He's also a member of the Army Reserve, and has served in Iraq with his reserve unit. We found him down-to-earth and easy to talk to, and genuinely eager to help his community. We thank him again for the visit.

*** CLICK HERE for Tom Murt's Website ***

White Cane Day 2008

Lions White Cane Days are a yearly event aimed at meeting the community, sharing the purpose of the Lions, and raising funds for the blind.

This year we were located outside the Wawa on Route 611 on Saturday, October 4th, from 11am through 3pm.

We met many people from the community, handed out coloring books, pencils, and literature, and raised funds to help the blind in Montgomery County.

Thanks go to Lions Tara Smith, John Bill, John Campisi, Joe Nemath, and Steve Girone for their efforts.

Many thanks also go to Wawa Stores for permitting us to conduct this valuable fundraiser.

** CLICK HERE to learn more about White Cane Days! **

Col. Comtois, Willow Grove Air Reserve Station Commander visits club

We were very pleased to welcome Col. Comtois to our club on October 2, 2008. Thanks to Lion Larry Glemser, also of the 111th Fighter Wing, Pa. Air National Guard, who extended the invitation.

The Col. presented an informative slide show to our members, answered questions, and shared stories about the future of the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base. The Col. helped explain that while the base as we currently know it will be changing, and many of these changes have yet to be determined, we will still have an Air Reserve Station.

Also in attendance this night was our neighboring club, the Willow Grove Lion's Club. Upon hearing that the Col. would be available to answer questions at the meeting, President Will Smith of the Willow Grove Club, contact his members to invite them to join us for dinner. It's always nice to host visiting clubs, it was especially nice to see these members again.

Willow Grove Lions Club will be starting a donation collection program, gathering items to be donated to soldiers overseas. Both Larry Glemser and Col. Comtois were able to help direct them on where to get specific questions about their upcoming service project answered. The Horsham Lions Club, as well as other local clubs, will be invited to join in this worthwhile service project.

Thanks to Larry Glemser who initiated this presentation, and thanks also to the entire Willow Grove Club, and especially to Col. Comtois for being our guests.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Halloween Night is Sight Night

Halloween night is Sight Night for the Gift of Sight Foundation and for Lions Clubs International!

The key to this is effort is our local children. The kids are encouraged to place door hangers on the doors of houses they will be visiting on Halloween Night.

The hangers tell the residents that the children will be collecting eyeglasses on Halloween Night.

What better way to canvas the community than to piggyback with the kids who are already canvassing their neighborhoods for treats?

We’ve enlisted the help of several local Girl Scout troops. So far three troops totaling about 45 girls have agreed to help us with this effort. Each girl will be hanging about 20 door hangers in their neighborhoods. If each house visited has only one pair of eyeglasses to donate, that’s 900 eyeglasses to go to the needy.

If you would like to learn more about Sight Night, visit www.SightNight.org.

If you would like to help the Horsham Lions with this Sight Night initiative, contact us at the email address above!