Duluth Lions Attend Multiple District Convention

Several members of the Duluth Lions club attended the Multiple District 5M convention in Bloomington, Minnesota April 25-27. Joining them at the event was Lions International President Fabricio Oliveira, who addressed, inspired and challenged the convention delegates and attendees multiple times during the event.

Additionally, the convention's final speaker, Lion BJ Blahnik, closed the event by bringing both laughter and tears to the room. Blahnik, who is blind, was paired with his fifth dog guide, Jackson, from Leader Dogs for the Blind, a long-time Lions initiative, and drew upon his life experience and his experience with Leader Dogs to inspire the room of Lions to even greater service. An ambient recording of his presentation can be heard at this link. The Duluth Lions Club has a decades-long relationship with the Lighthouse Center for Vital Living (formerly Lighthouse for the Blind) in Duluth, so BJ's presentation was particularly meaningful for our club members who attended the convention.

September 2021 Update

LEO Club Update

In September the LEO Club received a $300 grant to purchase tampons and maxi pads. These supplies will be donated to the Denfeld High School Hunter Hut so they can be given to young women free of charge. During September the LEO Club has been collecting hygiene items for the Denfeld Hunter Hut as well.

Also, keep saving those aluminum can pop tops! The Ronald McDonald House collects them every every July.

Pop tops and hygiene items can be dropped off with Marie Pank at 1919 Denim St. in Duluth 218-343-1207

Plastic Recycling Challenge Update

The Plastic Recycling Challenge is going great! We recycled another 265 pounds of soft plastic in August. That brings our total in Challenge 2 to a whopping 1,683 pounds. Well done Duluth Lions! Challenge 2 ends September 30, 2021. So, keep the soft plastic coming to the Lighthouse Center for Vital Living.

The two benches made from recycled materials that we have won from the TREX Company have been ordered. We expect them to arrive by early December.

Support for the Ronald McDonald House

The Duluth Lions Club plus friends and relatives recently donated $1,000 in grocery store gift cards to the Ronald McDonald Northland in Duluth. Every week RMH Northland offers nine complimentary meals to families with a seriously ill or injured child. Families are never asked to pay for meals, lodging or support, and financial and in-kind donations cover much of the cost of the meal program. The donated gift cards will ensure that RMH Northland staff can purchase ingredients necessary to complete a meal.

According to Tara Gallagher, RMH Northland Program Manager, “After a long day at the hospital, families are very grateful for a home-cooked meal. The Duluth Lions’ gift card donation is so meaningful because it directly helps us provide this important service to families dealing with a child’s health crisis.”

Pictured below are Tara Gallagher, RMH Northland Program Manager; Duluth Lions Club President Chris Correia; and Duluth Lions Club members Gail Tate and Shirley Sullwold.