PET Mobility Project

Lions Recycle Household Inkjet Printer Cartridges

The Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions have gone global with serving the needy.  Our latest project collects personal/household inkjet printer cartridges to be recycled.  Not only is this keeping toner cartridges out of the landfill, but funds raised help provide a sturdy, hand-cranked cart for children and adults who lack mobility. 

Personal Energy Transportation (PET) is a global charity addressing the needs of those who are unable to walk due to disability, impairment, or injury.  Through the generous recycling efforts of Empties4Cash, Alaskan Lions and Leos have collected over 16,000 cartridges since 2009, enough cartridges to provide 15 individuals with a mobility cart.  Lions are proud to be a major partner for this humanitarian cause, along with both Protestant and Catholic congregations. 

The PET mobility cart is a sturdy, three-wheeled vehicle propelled by hand-crank or pull handle which can be operated by a man, woman, or child who is mobility impaired.  The PET enables an improved quality of life at work, school, and home.  It allows a father to work again and provide for his family; a child has the opportunity to attend school and receive an education; beneficiaries can go to church and social gatherings.  These mobility carts are distributed on need, at no cost to the recipient. 

Lions have drop boxes at St. Paul’s Church and Shepherd of the Valley Church, at this time, where household toner cartridges can be deposited.  Look for the GREEN BOX!  We are working on other locations as well and will notify everyone when that happens.  We only take HP, Cannon, Lexmark, Dell, and Sharp ink cartridges. 

How can you help?  Deposit your used ink jet cartridges into one of these drop boxes; have a collection drive at your office place, church, or school; ask your family and friends to save their household toner cartridges; mention our community service on Facebook and other social media; or save them until we have a community-wide collection drive in the Fall.  For more options, contact us at mendenhallflyinglions@gmail.com  Protecting Our Environment  #Lions100

We Serve!
Lion Nancy Norton

Box Tops for Education

Their Story:

It started in California in 1996.  General Mills wanted to create a program to help support education and benefit America’s schools.  Box Tops for Education was born.  Companies that participate are General Mills, Pillsbury, and others.  By 2004, over 82,000 schools across the nation were clipping Box Tops to earn cash to buy things they needed like books, computers, playground equipment and more.  You can now clip Box Tops from Ziploc, Hefty, Kleenex, and Scott products too.  Today, America’s schools have earned over $719 MILLION to help their schools!  

How we can help:

Before recycling your packaging, check for the little rectangular box (shown above) with - - - - - - - around it which indicates that you cut it out.  It’s usually found on the top or front of the packaging.  Stick them in a baggie and bring them to Club meetings for the project chair.  Our committee team is Lion Nancy Norton (chair) and Lion Susan Albury.    

It’s really easy to do and can help our schools immensely. 

Other ways we can collect:

• Ask our family and friends to save them for us.
•  Advertise on Facebook that you’re collecting them.
• Ask your place of business to put a drop box for employees to donate them.
• Advertise on your office bulletin board that you’re collecting them. 

TIP:  When you return home from grocery shopping, look your items over at that time and clip them so you don't forget! 

TIP:  Costco boxes of freezer bags often will give you two box tops per box! 

One thing to watch for is they DO have an expiration date and once they've expired, won't do us any good.  So it's important that you turn them in on a regular basis so the school can benefit.   The committee will be making a determination on which school to support in the very near future!  

We are supporting our youth with this project, Engaging Our Youth, #Lions100.

If you want to contribute to our project, please contact me at mendenhallflyinglions@gmail.com Thank you for your consideration!

We Serve!

Lion Nancy Norton

And We're Off!

Even though it might seem our club is not doing much this time of year, we have several projects we're working on behind the scene:

1. Gravemarkers for our Veterans.  
2. Flag boxes to dispose of unserviceable flags. 
3. BoxTops for Children.
4. PET Mobility Project.
5. Fundraiser with Boy Scout Troop 247.
6. Golden North Salmon Derby.
7. Eyeglass Recycle.
8. USS Juneau Memorial Site Flowers.
9. Vision Screening for Children.
10. Lions Packs.  

Several of these are new projects with details still being worked out; some projects we're partnering with the VFW/American Legion; and others we're behind the scenes.  

Serving our community is a never ending endeavor.  One we enjoy doing and are continually looking for ways to help even more.  

If you know of any needs in our community that need to be addressed, please contact us at mendenhallflyinglions@gmail.com

Thank you!

We Serve

Lion Nancy Norton

From the International President

Dear Lions of the World,

Paris, France; Brussels, Belgium; Orlando, Florida, USA; Dallas, Texas, USA; Istanbul, Turkey; Dhaka, Bangladesh; Nice, France; racial tension in many parts of the world.

Why is it happening? When will it stop? How much is enough? These are questions all of us are asking ourselves, and no one is providing any answers.
...

As the global leader in humanitarian service, a central focus is on providing for those less fortunate through a variety of service programs at the international and local level. Over the past two years, as part of our centennial service challenge, we have served 100 million people around the world. We are proud of our selfless service to others.

But as much as service is our focus, it doesn’t completely define who we are and what we stand for in the world community. One need only review excerpts from Lions Clubs International Purposes to gain a true understanding of our focus beyond service:
• To Create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.
• To Promote the principles of good government and good citizenship.

In my inaugural address delivered June 28 in Fukuoka, Japan, I spoke the following words:  “As we look at our future, there is another new large mountain which is arising for our world to conquer, and Lions International is the one to help the world climb this new mountain – and that is international relations. The Lions of the world are one family, focused on the goal of providing for others, and creating peace and understanding among the people of the world. We must strive to leave a legacy of world peace, world health, world safety, and world happiness.”

In February 1945, Lions’ founder Melvin Jones gathered with leaders of other national groups to meet with Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau, Jr., and Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affiars, Archibald MacLeish, to discuss forming a United Nations. In April of that year Lions headquarters asked clubs to hold a United Nations week to show support for the initiative.

In that spirit, and as we approach our 100th year of humanitarian service, I ask Lions around the world to hold a day of reflection during the week of July 25th. Set aside this day to reflect on how your club can work with local community leaders to nurture peace, lessen violence that has affected so many of our communities, and foster understanding among all peoples.

As we pause to reflect, please keep the victims and families of the recent tragedy in Nice, France in your thoughts and prayers

Let us be the example of how people of different races, cultures, religions and diverse backgrounds can come together for a common cause.

Sincerely,
Chancellor Bob Corlew

4th of July Activity

Another 4th come and gone!

Here we are, the Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions setting up our canopy in the wee hours of this beautiful morning!

Our booth is set up in the parade staging area and we offer hot coffee and pastries as they wait for the parade to start. 

Local bakeries, like Super Bear and another major bakery that doesn't want to be recognized... donate their day-old pastries for our event.  We take them home and wrap in seran wrap to protect from the weather.  Heritage Coffee donates all our coffee, cups, sugar, creamer, etc.

In years past, we would sell these items for $1.00 each and generally would make $300 in proceeds. It's not a big fundraiser by any means, but was more the service to those men and women who show up at 6:00 a.m. to get ready for the parade.

Lion Becky Allison assisting a customer

We sponsor Boy Scout Troop 247 and this year we decided not to sell our goods, but accept donations only and all proceeds would go towards Troop 247.

The Boy Scouts are always there helping us peddle our wares, working the crowd, and it only seemed the right thing to do.  

It seemed slow this year but we still made $417 to hand over to the Troop!

Lion Mukhya Khalsa with three scouts:  Patrick, Eli, and Cole

It was a sunny day (intermittent) and we were out of there by 10:45 a.m., just before the parade participants started to line up! 

Lions Mukhya Khalsa, Nancy Norton, Mike Norton, Hari Dev Khalsa and Scout leader Bob Mitchell

And over in Douglas, a couple of our Lions were needed to help with a food booth for Helping Hands.

Lions Mukhya and Hari Dev Khalsa

We Serve was covered today!  Lion Donna was on the Parade Committee and helping with that, but made an appearance at our booth from time-to-time.  Lion Tom Dawson participated in the VFW float and also found time to help at our booth.  Not to mention Lion Mal Linthwaite who now resides in Arizona but came to see what we were up to!

Lion Tom Dawson (taken by Juneau Empire)

I hope everyone had a happy and safe 4th!  Next year is our Centennial.... I wonder what our President Lion Donna Hurley has in store for us at next year's 4th....

This is a Lions Centennial Engaging our Youth project.  #Lions100

We Serve!
Lion Nancy Norton

Incoming Board of Directors

Welcome to the 2016-2017 Lion Year!

The Mendenhall Flying Lions has an awesome new Board of Directors coming on board!  We thank you for stepping into a leadership position and for your continued service to our community.

President:  Lion Donna Hurley
Vice President:  Lion Soapy Lingle
Secretary:  Lion Nancy Norton
Treasurer:  Lion Bob Hurley
Membership Chair:  Lion Becky Allison
Tailtwister:  Lion Tom Dawson
1 Year Director:  Lion Susan Albury
2 Year Director:  Lion Mukhya Khalsa
Immediate Past President:  Lion Mike Norton

We can look forward to good things happening this year!

We Serve!
Lion Nancy Norton

Another Year Come and Gone

The Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions is a small club by most standards.  We have 22 members but broken down, 4 members live out of town/state and 3 members are inactive which leave 15 active members.  Of those active members, 8 members work and 7 members are retired.

So what can a club of 15 active members do in a year's time?  Let me show you:

July:

• We had a 4th of July booth at the parade staging area where we offered hot coffee and pastries to participants while they waited for the parade to start.  We made $364.  
• Picked up trash on the road that takes you to the Mendenhall Glacier.
  

August: 

• Assisted Helping Hands prepare for a fundraiser.  
• Donated $100 to the Center for the Blind.
• Our meeting place closed (The Broiler) and we had to relocate.

September:

• We had our second litter pick up in September.
• Vision Screening efforts took place at Glacier Baptist  Academy, Floyd Dryden Middle School, Riverbend Elementary, and Angoon Schools.
  

October: 

• Celebrated 50 years of Lionism and Serving our Community with Lion Bruce Wing.  
• Participated in the Recycle for Sight Community Drive where we asked the community to donate their used eyeglasses; 245 pair of eyeglasses were donated.  
• Donated $5,000 to Family Promise.
• Collected and shipped 1,460 pair of eyeglasses to the Aurora Borealis Recycle Center at the North Pole.
• Vision screening efforts took place at:  Gustavus, Headstart, Gastineau Elementary, Early Learning Fair for Babies and Infants, Harborview Elementary, Montessori, and Wrangell schools.
  

November:  

• Annual Barbecue at McGivneys where we raised $3,060 for the Alaska Diabetes Association.  
• Donated $250 to the Bethel Winterhouse after the fire.
• Braved the weather to honor and remember the sailors of the USS Juneau at the USS Juneau Remembrance Ceremony.
• Participated in the Radio Center Annual Food Drive.  Collected food, went to jail, unloaded the buses, and stocked food at the Food Bank.
• Vision screening efforts took place in Sitka.  
• Delivered 20 pair of men’s wool socks, 12 pair women’s, and 4 nice ski gloves to Front Street Clinic for the homesless.  
• Donated $500 to Ronald McDonald House
• Donated $500 to Camp K, a camp for children with Type 1 Diabetes.  

December:

• Donated $500 to Shop With A Cop
• Had a Christmas social where members brought toys to give to the needy.  
• Delivered collected toys to St. Vincents.
• Inducted three new members.
• Donated $300 to St. Vincents
• Donated $300 to the AWARE Center 
• Rang the Salvation Army Bell
• Donated $500 to Salvation Army
• Annual Light Flights fundraiser.  Raised $10,795.  Coastal Helicopter pilots and staff donate their time for this event as well as fuel is donated.  Coastal donated $5,397 to the Children's Tumor Foundation and $5,397 went into Lions projects.

January:

• Served lunch at the Glory Hole, a homeless shelter. 
  

February:

• USS Juneau Social at Buoy Deck for Military and Veterans
• USS Juneau Reception for Legislators and other dignitaries
• USS Juneau Reception open to the public
• Vision Screening Efforts:  Legislative Affairs Health Fair
• Provided New Member Orientation to three new members and their sponsor.  
• Inducted a new member, Lion Bob Nielsen
  

March:  

• Vision Screening Efforts:  Gold Medal, Raven Home School, Faith Community Church.
• Donated $250 to Shepherd of the Valley Church food pantry
• Donated $176 to Leader Dog
• Donated $3,100 to Alaska Diabetes Association

April:

• Litter Pick Up
• Vision Screening Efforts:  Juneau Community Church, Cordova schools, Anchorage Kids Day, Early Learning Fair, Skagway Child Find, Skagway Health Fair
• Had a Social
• Hosted 2nd Vice District Governor Jeannine Morse's club visit
• Donated $100 to the Newtok Water Project 
• Donated $250 to the Harborview Extended Summer Program 
• Delivered donated sport-cut fish to the local food banks and pantries.  This is fish that was caught, processed, but never picked up. 

May:

• Helped Swampy Acres at their annual Family Farm Day
• Offered a Scholarship of $500 for Elias Antaya
• Had our first annual Meet and Greet, a recruitment effort to get new members.
• Donated $100 for Beep Baseball in Anchorage.
• Delivered more fish fish fish to Shepherd of the Valley, Glory Hole, Helping Hands, and Southeast Alaska Food Bank

June:  

• Set up a table at the Nugget Mall to share what we do
• Assisted Shepherd of the Valley Church with their annual Block Party.  We provide a bicycle obstacle course and talk about bicycle safety.  
• Assist Helping Hands with their weekly food distribution
• Placed flowers at the USS Juneau Memorial to honor the other two USS Juneau ships.  
• Delivered more fish fish fish to Shepherd of the Valley, Glory Hole, Helping Hands, and Southeast Alaska Food Bank.  Total fish and wild game delivered, approximately 1,500 pounds!!!!
• Planted a Crimsom King Maple at the American Legion Post.  Tree was donated by Glacier Gardens.  
• End of year social and induction of new officers.  

Joint Sight Committee (September to present):  Approved 10 applications for financial assistance

for a total of $3,201 

TOTAL DONATIONS for 2015-2016:  $15,627

VISION SCREENING EFFORTS:

            Screened 1,891 children

            Referred 280

            At 20 locations

This is what an active club looks like!  Alone, we can do a little, but with a little help from everyone, we can accomplish great things!  

We Serve!

Lion Nancy Norton