Minutes of the Pooler Lions Club Meet and Greet held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024,
at Lovezzolla’s Family Restaurant, Pooler, Georgia.
Attendees:
John Blair Sr., Fred Bryant, Anne Bryant, Ed. Bogan, Windy Bogan, Michael Carpenter (Zoom), Len Cutuli, Rosemary Cutuli, Lana Hahn, Kimberly Hancock, Kevin Holness, Dan Krautheimer, Sandra Lewis, Diana Lotz, Brandie Menees, Alexander Monteith, Ginette Morrison, Karen Nierle, Hung Nguyen, Kimberly Nguyen, Patricia Ratcliffe, Becky Reid, David Reiter, Linda Saytanides, Barbara Scantlebury, Terry Strubbe, Karen Williams.
Guest
Ayanna Thompson, GA Lions Lighthouse Foundation
Call to order:
The meeting was called to order at 6.34pm. President Brandie said the prayer, led the pledge and welcomed members and guests.
Member Moment:
Lion Kimberly Nguyễn shared that she was inspired and encouraged to join the Club after meeting with the Sitting and Knitting group. She was also impressed by their enthusiasm for serving the community and she
wanted to participate in that type of environment. Her neighbor, President Brandie also encouraged her to join the Club and Kim subsequently encouraged her husband, Hung, to also become a member of the Club!
Guest Speaker:
Lion Len Cutuli prepared the path for the Guest Speaker Ayanna Thompson by informing the Club about the progress that is being made in
the Vision screening program. He stated that in September there were 677 vision screenings done at Godley Station School alone. This means that in the period July to September the Club has performed more than 5000 vision screenings.
Our Guest Speaker was introduced by President Brandie. Ms. Thompson, a former certified K-12 Art educator, is the current School Clinic and Recycling Center Director at Georgia Lighthouse Foundation Inc. She oversees the Eyeglass Recycling Center, coordinates volunteers for the
Recycling Center and School Clinics and onboards optometrists to work in schools and the Chamblee clinic. Ms. Thompson informed the Club of her work in expanding the Vision Screening program within the Atlanta Public Schools, Clayton County Public Schools and the Fulton County School District. She also supports programs in DeKalb County and is currently working to support programs in Gwinnett and Chatham counties as well.
Ms. Thompson’s passions include serving the community through vision services, stewarding connections that uplift the community and empowering the next generation of leaders.
Members interested in learning more about the work of the Georgia Lighthouse Foundation may visit their website: www.lionslighthouse.org
or arrange an in-person visit with Ms. Thompson.
Our Club thanked Ms. Thompson for so graciously taking time to come to enlighten us about the work of the Georgia Lighthouse Foundation and in turn, presented her with a $1000.00 check to help with the ongoing work of the Foundation.
Project Updates and Opportunities:
– Lion Ed Bogan reported that the recent Blood Drive was a great success. The event realized 23 Blood donations.
– Lion Windy reported that the recent Yard Sale was also a resounding
success. Total sales: $871.00. The funds will be used to buy coats for participants in the Shelter Children program and yarn for the Sitting & Knitting program.
– The new Chairperson of the Pooler Elementary School Reading Program is Lion Dave Reiter! Reading with the students will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. Members interested in taking part in this program, please contact Lion Dave.
– The School Supply Project committee is chaired by Lion Cheryl Cannonier. This project provides School shirts and other items for needy children at various local Elementary Schools.
– The bed-drop for A Place To Dream is now scheduled to take place on Tuesday October 1st, 2024, beginning at 8.30am. At that time, 25 beds will be delivered.
– Trunk or Treat will take place on Saturday October 19th, 2024, 5pm -7pm. The event this year will feature a Leggo theme emphasizing Joshua’s Block party. Candy donations are requested for this event. Contact Lion Becky Reid for further information.
– Lion Rosemary gave an update on the Little Libraries Project. Lion Dan Krautheimer, a seasoned artisan, will install the three libraries at The Little Learners, First Baptist Church Pooler, and a location at the Tanger Outlets (when permission is received).
– It was also announced that the Samaritans Purse will take all 150 boxes of hospital gowns. Many thanks to Lion Carol for her efforts in this regard.
– Lion Ron Hahn is the new Chair of the Business of the Month Committee.
Upcoming Events:
*On Wednesday November 13th, 2024, at 6.00pm, interested Members are asked to meet at the Pooler YMCA to prepare Kits for the Homeless.
*Packing boxes for Second Harvest will take place on Saturday November 30th, 2024.
*The annual Christmas Party is scheduled to take place at 6.00pm on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024, at the Pooler YMCA.
Lion Dave Reiter will be performing the role of a Wiseman in the production “The Journey”, at the Compassion Christian Church, beginning on Friday December 6th, 2024, and continuing for the following three weekends. For more information and tickets to the event, please go to their website: www.compassionchristianchurch.com.
Fundraising:
The first meeting of the 2025 Golf Tournament Committee is scheduled to take place at 5.00pm on Monday, September 30th at Lovezzolla’s Pizza Restaurant. New members are needed for this committee. Next year will be the 10th year for this tournament and so the Club would like to make it a very special event.
Restaurant Fundraising: Members were asked to suggest any restaurants which they thought would be good for sponsoring a special fundraising event for the benefit of the Club.
Tail Twister and Spotlights:
Lion Karen Nierle told a ‘corny’ joke about A Lady and the Lottery Ticket!! Happy $s were donated as Members regaled us with their inspiring stories. The Raffle was won by Lion Windy. However, since she did not ‘pull’ the Joker, she received the consolation prize.
Adjournment
Lion Brandie gaveled the meeting at 8.05pm.
Respectfully Submitted
Barb. Scantlebury (Club Secretary)
