Lions Are One Of Those Caring Groups
Hello Lions of MD36. What a great day to be a LION. We just wrapped up our 36-R Convention, which was held in-person and I’m pleased to say it was a success. We brought our clubs together as a District with great participation from our clubs. I want to thank our convention committee for the work they put in to make it happen. Our ID Lion Debra Weaverling and her husband Lion Ron's presence made it even better. My wife Kathy and I had the opportunity of hosting them for the weekend. We so enjoyed our time getting to know them and they us. I shared about the Lions of my District and the 32 clubs we have. I shared how proud I was of our Region and Zone chairs, our Cabinet and the goals we have set and where we are with those goals.
After picking ID Debra and Lion Ron up from the airport and having lunch we had the opportunity of visiting the Heartfelt House at RiverBend. Our incredible host there, Robin Yozzo, is a new Lion of the Eugene Downtown Lions Club with such a big heart. She loves her job and it shows. We were joined by Zone Chair Lion Henry Miller who took photos throughout our tour.
The Heartfelt House is a place next to RiverBend Hospital where families with children in the hospital can come to stay. There they can have just a little normal in what is a stressful time in their life. It was opened on September 10, 2019 and so far has served 1,006 families. The longest family so far has stayed for 108 days. They have a beautiful room with access to a kitchen and food provided by gracious donations. They can do laundry, shower and rest all the while knowing they are in a caring and safe environment All of this is at no cost to them.
Individually and as Clubs you Lions were a big part of this with your generous donations. These donations were matched by a grant from LCIF. There are also so many other individuals and organizations that contributed and helped to build and keep the Heartfelt House running. I'm proud Lions are one of those caring groups.
Now I want to talk and share a little about Lion Robin and how she became the Director of Guest Services at the Heartfelt House. Lion Robin worked in a retirement home as the assistant administrator. Her son had to have a surgery at RiverBend Hospital. While there with her son during the ground-breaking for the Heartfelt House, Lion Robin went down to the Heartfelt gift shop. As she put it she was eavesdropping on a conversation about what was happening across from the hospital. She went on to say they said it was the Heartfelt House -- the new place going in to help families who had children in the hospital. That night Lion Robin went home and told her husband she had found the job of her dreams. He commented “Sure, OK Robin.” She decided she would follow the progress and apply for the job. When they were at the point where the windows were going in, she would run by and press her nose and hands against the glass to check how far along they were. Lion Robin says that at her interview she needed to take a bottle of Windex to wipe the smears of her nose and hands caused by her excitement. Well to make a long story short ID Lion Debra and I decided she is a Lion with heart. The job she does and loves to do putting a little normal in a stressful time in these families’ lives makes her THE HEART of the Heartfelt House.
I am always stressing to Lions that SERVICE FROM THE HEART is what Lions is all about and Lion Robin is a prime example of what that means. I want to thank all of you Lions serving others in our communities. You’re all making a difference thru the service you provide following our theme this year which is SERVICE FROM THE HEART. I believe Lions Change Lives Today and Forever.