Local people with a concern for helping others
are the people who join the Lions Club.
 


 
2024-25 Club President Jim Ryan (703) 507-8696, Corresponding Secretary Kelly McGarvey (716) 491-8540


Mission: "We Serve" is the Lions' Motto. The mission of the Grand Island Lions Club is to help those in need in our community with special emphasis on the vision and hearing impaired, and children with disabilities. Major fundraisers include a spaghetti dinner in the spring and a "White Cane" drive in August. Our major event is the "Special Kids Picnic" in July when around one thousand special needs children from the Erie-Niagara area are treated to a picnic that includes a lunch along with boat rides, pony rides, and other entertainment. We also perform MTI Photo-screening of children's eyes (for early detection of eye disease) coordinated through the local school systems. In addition we collect eyeglasses and hearing aids for the disadvantaged and have a "loan closet" for distribution of walkers, wheelchairs and other durable goods. Our club is also active in a number of  drives both locally and internationally to help the vision impaired. Our Club also recognizes the importance of youth in our community.  We participate annually in a Peace Poster Contest, which encourages our middle-school age children to creatively express their concept of world peaceWe award scholarships to high school graduates, based on their community involvement, scholastic achievements and other criteria.









On July 17th 2024 the Grand Island Lions Club hosted its 66th annual Kids Special Picnic. Around 560 kids with special needs and their aides were treated to a day of fun that included boat rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting. and Lunch, that included hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks. Clown volunteers worked the crowd while a DJ encouraged the kids to participate in Karaoke. The Lions are thankful for all the help from many areas, with the Buffalo Launch Club kindly donating their grounds and personnel without which we would not be able to do this. There were many donations; Tops Markets with drinks, Tim Hortons with coffee and doughnuts for the volunteers, and from the community, including Troop 104 Boy scouts, Rotary Club, and Lions from our sister club from Merritton Ontario. Special thanks to the Erie County Sherriff’s department for sending deputies and horses from their mounted reserve division to interact with the kids. Also, special thanks to the many boat captains, donating their time and vessels, including Excalibur Leisure Skills, Collins Marine, and the Niagara Frontier Antique and Classic Boat Club to name a few.  Finally, thanks to the businesses and people who live and work in our community for their support on our White Cane Days, Spaghetti Dinner, and other fundraisers. Without their continued support, we would never be able to pay for this project.









The Grand Island Lions awarded the winners of this years (2024) Peace Poster Contest at our May 22nd dinner meeting. Lion Paul Bassette reviewed the theme, criteria for judging and the concept of the Peace poster contest through LCI guidelines. This year’s theme was “Dream of Peace”. We had 50 entries for the Peace Poster contest this year from Connor Middle School. Peace Poster winners are 2nd place  Chloe Fraser, and 1st place  Quinn Yarwood. The posters will be displayed at the GI Library for the next year.  Next year’s theme will be “Peace without Limits”.
(Left to Right): Lion Paul Bassette, Peace Poster Chair, 2nd Place winner Chloe Fraser, 1st Place winner Quinn Yardwood and Grand Island Middle School Art Teacher Andrew (Drew) Dulak.




Helping the Neighbors Foundation

Neighbors


Lions with gifts for the Neighbors Foundation. Lt-rt Lions Al Ackerman, DG Clancey Burkwit, Donna Lavallee, Tom Witkowski, Bill Wind, Brooks Rimes, Shelia Ferrentino, Tom Rusert, Dave Chervinsky, Dick Planavsky, Ed Payan, John McCartney, and Mike Steinagel. Obstructed and holding the banner is Fred Ruocco.





 


Miracle League 
 Lions donate $75,000 for  Miracle League!
The Grand Island Lions Club has been working with Miracle League of Grand Island and Western New York for the last six months helping with fundraising,  submitting grants and getting other Lions Clubs involved with Miracle League. We now report our grant application to Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/lci-foundation/index.php has been fully funded.  Because the $75,000 requires matching funds, the Grand Island Lions Club has been working together with Miracle League with various fundraisers.  In addition, Other Lions Clubs in the District are participating. The Lancaster Lions have co-sponsored the grant application while the Amherst Lions donated $1000 from a recent pancake breakfast fundraiser. Lions District 20N, of which the Grand Island Lions is a member, also donated $1000. Our Grand Island Club also has three smaller grants that will be submitted to help Miracle League.  Lions Club District 20N Governor Gary Carini presents a check for $75,000 to Teresa Hooper, President of Miracle League of Grand Island and Western New York. Also present 2nd from left Grand Island Lions President Dave Chervinsky, 2nd Vice President Tom Witkowski and Grand Island Lions and Miracle League member Mike Steinagel.


Grand Island, New York is one of the world's most unique locations. To those who live here, it is much more. It shares the natural brilliance of neighboring Niagara Falls, as well as the vibrancy and vitality of nearby Buffalo. Grand Island is located on the Niagara River, an international border between the United States and Canada. While serving the Community of Grand Island and Western New York, Our Club interacts and shares in activities of our "Sister Club" the Merritton Lions Club of St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada. To visit our "Sister Club" go to: Merritton Lions Club

To see an enlarged view of the above photo click here
Photo courtesy of Paul McCarthy and the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce
Taken by Mark Dettmer - Angel Arts Publications
Available as postcard, Chamber Office (5/$1.00)

If you are a member of this organization, we need your help. GIECOM.Net has partnered with the Connections program to help Grand Island as a community "Get it Together." Please visit our website G-I-Together.ORG and fill out our SURVEY. Every group on Grand Island will have its own FREE web page showing: meeting times and location, contact persons, your Mission Statement and a listing of events. We will also be linking your news events that appear in the local media and on IsledeGrande.Com, Grand Island's E-News Source, to your page, maintaining an archived journal of pictures and news. This is the perfect opportunity for your group to connect with potential new members and the community.
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