Lion Neal Blades began the celebration of the McKinney Lions Club by stressing how much the organization meant to him personally. He then went on to tell everyone of when the national organization began back in 1917 and after a few short years, on October 20, 1920, the McKinney club was chartered and their work helping the community began. He said this was a great club and he was enjoying every minute of it.
Lion Neal went on to introduce Lion Jack Crampton who has more than 45 years service and has served in literally every officer position in the club. Jack was quick to step up to the podium and begin reliving some of the things he had experienced during his time with the club. He began by telling a story of how the local high school came by the mascot name of the Lions. Jack began, “It was1924 and the school was in desperate need of uniforms for their team. Once we heard about the need, our club was front and center with the offer to not only purchase the uniforms but some miscellaneous equipment as well. It was just after that the school asked permission to name their team the Lions in honor and appreciation for what the club had done.
While the club has continued to be of service from that point on, there became yet another important moment between the two. After finding out how the relationship evolved, Lion Jack Crampton approached the school and asked how the club could help during the 2005/06 season. A committee was formed with the school and it was determined there was a desperate need for a defibrillator for their sporting events, which was being required by the UIL (University Interscholastic League). As it turned out, Jack and some of the Lions meet at the center of the football field at the first home game as the Lions presented a check for $2000 to cover the defibrillator.
As Jack continued to speak at the birthday celebration, tears began to creep into his eyes. He said it was only a short time after, that a soccer student collapsed in a game and the defibrillator literally saved his life. “I love this club and the things we do for our community”, said Jack as he stepped away from the podium with thunderous applause.
The next person to step to the podium was Lion Sharon Butler. Sharon told the story of how she was drafted by bankers Ben Whisenant and Bill Christie to play the piano for their Lions club meetings. She wasn’t eager to do that at first, but through a lot of encouragement, she finally made it a ritual at the meetings. Sharon said “I thought this was a bunch of crazy people at first. Having so much fun, but then doing so much work in the community”. She continued with her service to the club until 1980, when it was decided that women would now be invited to join Lions clubs all over the world. Sharon became the first woman in the McKinney Lions club and still to this day enjoys everything she is involved in. She is still, to this day, extremely proud to be the first woman named to the McKinney Lions Club.
JoEllen Zable, a past President and a member of the Lions since 1991, was next on the agenda as she began talking about how she became involved the Wednesday before Christmas of 1991. She said it was a great thing for her and she loves involvement and helping others. She said it was only after a couple of years that she was asked to lead the biggest fundraising event the Lions have, the Annual Chili Supper. She said her memory was a little clouded for that first year, and probably because of the tremendous amount of work she had to do. But she enjoyed it so much that she has helped almost continuously and has since picked up the name of the Chili Queen. She will again, be helping with the 57th annual event on February 16, 2010 at Boyd High School. JoEllen really enjoys the spirit of the club and the involvement in the community.
The McKinney Lions Club is active all over the community. Some of the recipients of the club for 2008/09 are as follows:
• Students of MISD – providing eye exams and eyeglasses to those in need on a continuous basis
• Helping students with hearing issues
• Recognizing MISD Students of the Month
• Sending local handicapped children to the annual Texas Lions Camp in Kerrville Texas, all expenses paid
• McKinney Food Pantry
• Salvation Army
• Community Lifeline
• McKinney Education Foundation
• Volunteer Center of McKinney
• McKinney LaCrosse organization
• Donating box fans to the needy during the summer
The McKinney Lions Club meets every Wednesday at 12 noon at the El Dorado Country Club. Visitors interested in learning more about the club and it’s mission of “WE SERVE” are encouraged to attend. Membership is open to anyone that wants to commit to helping the community. For more about the club, go to www.mckinneynoonlions.org or contact President Danny Wolf at 972-542-0257.
SIX PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED CHILDREN LEFT MCKINNEY ON SUNDAY JUNE 7 AT 7:30 AM FOR THE LIONS CAMP IN KERRVILLE, TX. THEY WILL HAVE THE TIME OF THEIR LIFE ALONG WITH 200 OTHER CHILDREN FROM ALL OVER TEXAS.
Saturday June 6 was a very special day for over 250 handicapped kids in the McKinney area. Some 14 planes were provided by “Challenge Air for Kids and Friends” to take these special kids soaring over the city for a time they won't soon forget. Lion Harvey McCarter headed the McKinney Lions effort to give these kids something to really remember.
FAN GIVEAWAY!!!!!
July 8th Lions in conjunction with the McKinney Fire Department will hold a fan give away from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Wysong Central Fire Station 301 N. McDonald. Thank you to Lowes for providing the fans to the Lions Club at a discount.
The 50 fans that the Lions bought went quickly, soooooooo we are doing it again on July 17 from 9:30 to 12:30 . Fans will be given away on a first come/first served basis until they are gone. Again we thank Lowes for providing the fans to the Lions at a discount price.
Meets Every Wednesday
Noon
El Dorado Country Club
2604 Country Club Drive
McKinney, TX
(For info call President Danny Wolf 972-542-0257)
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DID YOU KNOW????
McKinney Lions spent over $13,000 for eye exams and glasses for needy people last year.
Also donated over $10,000 to people and organizations last year.
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Mission Statement To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation.
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Lions Code of Ethics
TO SHOW my faith in the worthiness of my vocation by industrious application to the end that I may merit a reputation for quality of service
TO SEEK success and to demand all fair remuneration or profit as my just due, but to accept no profit or success at the price of my own self-respect lost because of unfair advantage taken or because of questionable acts on my part
TO REMEMBER that in building up my business it is not necessary to tear down another's; to be loyal to my clients or customers and true to myself
WHENEVER a doubt arises as to the right or ethics of my position or action towards others, to resolve such doubt against myself
TO HOLD friendship as an end and not a means. To hold that true friendship exists not on account of the service performed by one another, but that true friendship demands nothing, but accepts service in the spriit in which it is given
ALWAYS to bear in mind my obligations as a citizen to my nation, my state, and my community, as to give them my unswerving loyalty in word, act, and deed. To give them freely of my time, labor and means.
TO AID others by giving my sympathy to those in distress, my aid to the weak, and my substance to the needy
TO BE CAREFUL with my criticism and liberal with my praise; to build up and not destroy
"WE SERVE"
McKinney Lions Club has been a very active part of the community since 1920. Please join us as we strive to help others who are less fortunate, and help McKinney thrive.
