Sometimes, you just gotta toot your own horn

Lions District Gov. Brian Dulmes is all about sowing seeds of volunteerism, which grow and spread to all corners of the globe. Dulmes charges the clubs under his supervision with increasing their membership in order to help more people and communities. Photo by Ginna Young

By Lion Ginna Young

If you like helping others, being a Lion can be very rewarding. It’s about giving of your time to make someone’s life better – about striving to improve a community.

But, a Lions club can’t survive without new members, which was the message District Gov. Brian Dulmes delivered to the Lake Holcombe and Cornell clubs April 19, as part of Governor’s Night. Sowing seeds is an important part of a Lion’s mission and the results show the fruits of their labors.

“These people have touched a lot of Lions,” said Dulmes. Every time a Lion has asked someone to join the club, they’ve sown seeds of volunteerism and helped their community.

“Why do we want to increase membership?” said Dulmes. “So we can help out people.”

Dulmes says it’s important for club members to keep their minds open for new opportunities and their hearts open to embrace it.

Ways to do that include being part of the Wisconsin Lions Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the lives of youth and adults.

“We do that in five different areas,” said First Lady Barb Dulmes.

Through vision screening, hearing aids, diabetes awareness, eye glasses and Wisconsin Lions Camp, clubs are making a difference and providing essential services to the public. Whether through pancake breakfasts, brat stands or raffle tickets, the money raised goes back into the community.

While Lions are some of the most humble people you’ll ever meet, Brian asked that, at times, members brag on themselves, as a way to spread the message of volunteering and reaching people around the world.

“Service, that’s what we’re about,” said Brian. “We gotta toot our own horn to get that message out there.”

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="244"] Lake Holcombe Lions Club president Mike Schmitt was this year’s recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship, so named after the founder of Lions International. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption]   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="243"] Robert Bayerl (left) and Erv Larson were recognized as 50-year charter members of the Lake Holcombe Lions Club, who have seen the chapter grow from the beginning. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption]   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="243"] Jim Mataczynski was named a Knight of Sight for the Lake Holcombe club, honoring his work and contributions to the chapter. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption]   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="243"] Marking 20 years as a Lion, was Dianne Bayerl, who was presented a Chevron Award. Missing, are Dean Gehler, 10 years; Sharon DeJongh, 15 years; Gary Loring, Michael Coughlin and Robin Tozer, 20 years; Kent Pickerign, 25 years; Joan Lancour, 30 years; Mike Prahl and Brian Johnson, 40 years. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_187364" align="alignnone" width="300"] Lake Holcombe’s club welcomed more members into its chapter, by inducting those willing to serve as a Lion. Inducted, left to right, in front, are Sandra Duchow, Corinne Belanger, Amy Anton, Ginna Young, Dan Osborn, Thane Page, Linda Boettcher, Kay Radlinger and Bruce Johnson. In back, are sponsors Carrie Ably, Jim Mataczysnki, Rick Mitchell, Jane Ash and Jim Justus. Photo by Joy Dain[/caption]