We Serve
Pooler Lions Club Fills Trolley with Donations
for Children’s Hospital of Savannah
Pooler, February 15, 2019: The Pooler Lions Club saw a need and set the course for a Service Project in support of International Childhood Cancer Day, which is celebrated on February 15, 2019.
Kristen King, MS, CCLS, Manager of Child Life at Memorial Health Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah, spoke at the Club’s July 2018 Meet & Greet about the needs of the little patients and families…and from there the Lions formed a plan.
Pooler Lions set out contacting local businesses and churches who would accept the challenge by displaying a bin to collect PJs and toys. Thirteen businesses and churches accepted the challenge, 12 in Pooler and one in Savannah. News of the challenge spread and the community came together to collect over 1,000 items, including 100 pairs of pajamas and over 30 cozy blankets and fun pillows. In addition, Lion Bonnie O’Leary contacted Bombas Socks and, through their Giving Program, the Lions received 1,000 pairs of children’s socks to donate.
Past District Governor and Global Service Team Chair, Len Cutuli noted, “Our goal was to collect as much as we could in four months with a focus on pajamas, stuffed animals, Play-Doh, colorful Band-Aids, superhero figurines and children’s books. We received these and so much more! Our Pooler Lions also generously donated some great items.”
Pooler Lions Club President, Linda Saytanides stated, “The overwhelming response from the community was heartwarming. Whenever I went to pick up a full bin, it was such a surprise to see what people were donating above and beyond what we originally asked for. We have a doll house, mini basketball game, big fire engines, 5’ tall giraffe and many games and crafts. We know we have touched many lives – from the people who generously donated, to the children who will receive the donations. It’s about making a positive difference. Our thanks also to Old Town Trolley Tours for stepping up and making the delivery extra special.”
Kristen King, Manager of Child Life, commented, “We are so grateful for the time, energy and commitment the Pooler Lion’s Club spent collecting comfort and recreational items for our patients and families. It was a pleasure to learn more about their efforts to support children receiving medical treatment. On behalf of the patients and families, thank you for the generosity and support you are sharing with them today.”
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with 1.4 million members in more than 47,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographic areas. In addition to its efforts toward conquering blindness, the organization has made a strong commitment to community service and helping youth throughout the world.
The Pooler Lions Club is always looking for new members and new service projects to help the community. Contact us at [email protected] or www.poolerlionsclub.org.
Lions Motto: “We Serve”
The Pooler Lions Club held a very successful Open House on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at Lovezzola’s Restaurant. A large number of guests attended the dinner and presentation about our history and our service projects. We were pleased to welcome 13 new members and expect more members to join soon. Thank you to the businesses and club members who donated door prizes. We appreciate your support in helping us to make our community a better place to live.
Lisa Wilson, head nurse for the Savannah-Chatham School District, was named the School Nurse of the Year by the Pooler Lions Club. She was instrumental in helping the lions screen over 16,000 students in our area during the school year.
She is pictured with District Governor Len Cutuli at the April 24, 2018 Pooler Lions Club Meeting.
The Pooler Lions Club recently donated 62 new books to the classroom libraries at West Chatham Elementary Pooler School. Lion Rosemary Cutuli presented the books to Lynn Bigsbee, Media Specialist at the West Chatham Learning Center. The Pooler Lions partner with the school and volunteers work with students at different grade levels as part of the Lions Reading Action Program.
Please see the “Conventions” page.
The Pooler Lions Club conducted a free vision screening Saturday, May 20th, at the Kids Day America Festival sponsored by Bright Life Chriopratctic to benefit Greenbriar Children’s Center of Savannah. We received and award certificate in recognition of our service to improve the lives of Children in our community. Thank you very much!
Pooler Elementary School thanked our Pooler Lions Reading Literacy volunteers with gifts and a luncheon on Thursday, May 18th. The chorus sang and several children read poems about volunteerism. Pictured are volunteers Fran Hyatt, Rosemary Cutuli and Dennis McCann, who attended. Missing were Susan Blashford, Maggie Fowler, Cathy Bell and Linda Farley. Pictured in the back row are Principal Stacey McPipkin, Counselor Alexis Mincey and Media Specialist Teresa Baker
“New Mountains to Climb”
The Pooler Lions Club celebrated its 5th Anniversary in May, 2016, with many friends who helped in many ways throughout the years.
One of our community service projects is a Reading Literacy Program, in which volunteers read with children at Godley Station School and tutor Pooler Elementary students in reading. Contact us if you are interested in helping children.
We enjoy bonding with the elementary students.
The Pooler lions sponsor Sight for Students in area schools, which allows qualifying local students to obtain vouchers for free vision care.
Godley Station students love their stories!
Godley Station students are excited to have Pooler Lions read to them.
Contact us if you are interested in helping children.
Ronald MacDonald was there to help us bring smiles to the elementary students faces.
Pooler Elementary students who successfully completed their reading requirements selected a free book.
There are nearly 2 million uninsured people in Georgia. The Lions Lighthouse is committed to filling the gaps that exist for underinsured Georgians by providing affordable access to vision and hearing services.Our reach extends across the state of Georgia, touching all 159 counties. Last year, the Lighthouse provided over 20,000 services, including vision screenings, eye exams, eyeglasses, eye surgeries and hearing aids.
Founded by three Detroit-area Lions Clubs members in 1939, Leader Dogs for the Blind empowers people who are blind, visually impaired or Deaf-Blind with skills for a lifetime of independent travel, opening doors that may seem to have closed with the loss of sight.
Thanks to the generosity of our dedicated supporters, all programs are provided free to clients, including meals and housing during training, travel and equipment.
Leader Dog programs are crafted to address individual situations and adapt to our clients’ changing needs at any point in their lives. From youth camp to orientation and mobility cane training through guide dog training and GPS technology integration, Leader Dog’s programs give clients the confidence and skills they need to live independent lives.Leader Dog is recognized as a “Best In America” Charity by the Independent Charities of America (ICA).
One of our community service projects is participating in Breakfast with Santa and other holiday events.
As part of the Lions Club International Centennial Celebration, the Pooler Lions purchased and placed two Lions Club signs on Pooler Parkway.
Pooler Fire Fighters were thanked for their service by the Pooler Lions, who presented them with some homemade Christmas cookies.
Pooler Lions provided snacks for Pooler Elementary School students who were taking tests at the end of the school year.
As part of the Reading Literacy Program the Pooler Lions sponsored a Book Carnival for students at Pooler Elementary School. The children who completed the requirements to read at home received a free book and were invited to a Ronald McDonald assembly program.
Santa was “arrested” for breaking & entering but it was all in good fun!
One of the Lions Club International’s initiatives is to help fight hunger. Pooler Lions collected 100 cans of food for the Pooler Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry. In addition, a $100 grocery gift card was given, in honor of the Lions Club 100th Birthday in 2017.
Lions are trained to wash and sort recycled glasses for redistribution to people in need.
Many people remember the Lions long history of selling mops and brooms. They are still available for purchase at The Butcher Block, 102 US Hwy 80 in Bloomingdale.
GA Lions Camp for Visually Impaired: www.glcb.org
5626 Laura Walker RoadWaycross, GA912-283-4320
It is the mission of the Georgia Lions’ Camp for the Blind, Inc.
We provide personal growth experiences for children, teens and adults with visual impairments through the use of recreation, education, socialization and rehabilitation in an outdoor setting
We have so much fun!
International President Bob Corlew arrived in Savannah for a meeting of the International Directors in this special Lions Club bus.
The Pooler Lions Club sponsors the membership of six area school nurses to the National Association of School Nurses. This paid membership entitles each nurse to 25 free vouchers, to be used by students who qualify financially, for exams and glasses at local eye care providers. The participating schools are Pooler Elementary, West Chatham Elementary and Middle & Godley Station School.
Thank you school nurses.
What happens to those glasses you give to the Lions Club?
If you have ever dropped a pair of used glasses into a Lions Club collection box, here is what usually happens. They are collected by a local club member and sent to the GA Lions Lighthouse in Atlanta for sorting, cleaning and redistribution. The law states that the recycled glasses must not be given out in the US, but sent to a developing country.
Used glasses collection boxes like the one in the picture are located in the Pooler area at: -Sam’s Club and Walmart Vision Centers, -Low Country Eye – Godley Station School, Pooler Elem. and West Chatham Elem . -Family Medicine of Pooler
Recycled glasses go to the GA Lions Lighthhouse in Atlanta.
It was such a great time at the Lions Club’s Charter Night
A great time was had by all at the Pooler Lions Club Charter Night.
Follow the links below to find out more about our amazing partners.
Copyright @ Pooler Lions Club 2017