It Is Important It Is to Reach Out And “Just Ask” How Others Are Doing
Michael Phelps was a speaker at the International Convention. He talked about his career as an Olympic swimmer. I didn’t know about his eight gold medals and sever world records at one Olympics. Or his comeback. Or how his mental health affected everything he did during his life. He talked about how he overcame his mental health issues and how important it is to reach out and “Just Ask” how others are doing. If we don’t ask, we cannot begin to help others.
Lions International has adopted some of causes that the United Nations has identified as being critical to all of the world’s people. These causes include the Environment, Hunger and Mental Health. Michael Phelps was our introduction to how we can help with mental health. Ideas that were given for activities that could help were attending Veterans Stand Downs (for newly released Vets), community events and meetings where the elderly are likely to be. make sure they understand that they can get help with hearing aids and glasses from the Lions Clubs and explain how to access the resource. Confusion increases when people cannot hear or see the world properly. This makes any beginnings of dementia far more debilitating.
If your club is looking for a service activity for childhood cancer ask about ‘Magic Yarn,’ an activity that uses the softest yarn that has been found to make the caps to cover the little bald heads of babies undergoing treatment for cancer.
DID YOU KNOW?:
The LaPine Lions Club and the Elgin Lions Club have each reported Services for the month of July, 2025.
The Pendleton and Bend Lions Clubs are each ready to report on a service.
Lions Clubs in Hood River, Halfway, and Crooked River Ranch all have service projects planned, in the computer and ready to report when the activity is completed.
In the month of July 2025 District 36G had 183 volunteers donate 694 hours to serve 1,100 people. Our District raised $2,650 and donated $2,200 to help others in our communities.
I am back from vacation, have my first visit scheduled for August 12, and will start calling other clubs to start scheduling visits.
Risa Riggen, DG, 36G