From PDG Pam Hodgkins: the EyeMobile has now raised $68,000 leaving $7,000 to match the LCIF grant of $75,000. LCIF has approved sending the $75,000 out to us now, knowing that we will raise the additional monies.
Polo shirts and Sweatshirts are still being sold by our CST Dennis Fountain. Please remember that the polo shirts will be required for the parade at International Convention, as well as white pants, white shoes and the tri cornered hats. DG Jean reminds us that she has one (1) maroon jacket, size 42XL that she'll sell for $75 instead of the normal $85.
Clement F. Kusiak, 2005-2006 LCIF Chairperson writes that he's happy to report that LCIF and Lions are making great progress in helping victims of the tsunami in South Asia. Here's a very brief progress report: Indonesia—LCIF has disbursed US$418,375; South Asia—200 newly rebuilt Lions homes; Sri Lanka—Lions plan to build 318 homes at five locations at a cost of US$1.25 million; Thailand—LCIF has disbursed US$702,583; India—Lions MD-324 Tsunami Disaster Relief Committee presented a US$1.25 million plan to build homes, community rehabilitation centers, potable water facilities, primary health centers, schools and an orphanage. Many other projects are under way as well. For more information, please visit the website:
"Thanks to the generosity of Lions worldwide and the untiring service of Lions in South Asia, people who suffered the wrath of a natural disaster are starting over with a new home and are making the most of their opportunity.”
The Northampton Lions have received a grant of $15,000 to help construct their Habitat House. The Northampton Lions will have a "Project Manager" who will report to DG Jean who will be the Grant Administrator. The Northampton Lions might be needing all kinds of help once work is under construction, so DG Jean advises we watch for more details to come.
NET PLUS ONE!!! What's NET PLUS ONE? If you have to ask, you haven't been paying attention!!! If your Club starts out the year with 20 members, net plus one means that you end the year with 21 members. If you start out with 20 members and lose a member during the year, then you need to recruit two new members to bring the number up to 21. We have to do the same with the number of Clubs in the District, as well. Maybe we should start a new chant…. net plus one, net plus ONE, net PLUS ONE, NET PLUS ONE!!! I can't hear you!
Please rememberthat members of the MERL teams are available and ready to come to your Club to speak with you about Club Management, Club Projects, Community Service, Public Image/PR, Membership/Retention, Youth Services and anything else you'd like information on.
A reminder: You can sponsor Lions into Clubs other than your own. You can even sponsor Lions into Clubs in other States. I'm not sure about sponsoring Lions in other countries, but, you never know. A Lion pen pal? hmmmmmm
Holidays are a good time to visit with family, meet new people and perhaps ask someone new to become a Lion. Remember DG Jean's motto: "You have to ask!"
A note about road signs from VDG Rita Pierce: "As we prepare for the International Convention, one of the things we should be aware of is our presence in our communities. Please check on your road signs and be sure that they are crisp looking and accurate. As the Lions of the world come to our area, they will not only be in Boston. They will come to other areas of our state for tours and vacations. We want to look sharp! So if your signs are faded or inaccurate, please consider updating them. It is a reflection of our pride in being Lions!! Thanks"
DG Jean announces:
"I'd appointed PDG Jim Gracia as District 33Y's Sight First II Chairperson. Due to miscommunication,
it was thought that PDG Tom Kowal was the appointed chairperson. I've been in contact with PDG Jim
Gracia, who has talked with PDG Tom Kowal, and they've agreed that PDG Tom Kowal will be the 33Y
Sight First II Chairperson (a 3 year position), and PDG Jim Gracia will be his ever able assistant."
The Greenfield Lionsare setting up a fund to assist the victims of the recent flooding in Greenfield. If any club wishes to donate, they should send checks to the Greenfield Lions, C/O Treas. Don LaShier, 3 Valley View Dr, Greenfield, MA 01301. Checks should indicate for Greenfield flooding victims in the memo. (38 families lost their homes when a trailer park was flooded)
Did you know that you have the option of having memorial donations go to MLER when a loved one passes on? Checks should be sent to DG Jean or directly to the treasurer of MLER. All checks should include the deceased's name, the Club name, and District 33Y in the memo, or in a separate note with the check. Please also include the name and address of the person to whom the acknowledgement should be sent. MLER Treasurer: PDG William T. Murphy, PO Box 6050/ New Bedford, MA 02742
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU LIONS OF 33Y
SHOUT IT TO THE WORLD; WE ARE AT $15,000 PLUS TO MASS LIONS EYE RESEARCH, ONLY $88,000 TO GO AND ONLY 9 MONTHS TO GO. THAT'S JUST UNDER $10,000 A MONTH!!!
I AM POSITIVE THE LIONS OF 33Y CAN ACHIEVE THIS GOAL!!!!
If every club conducts that extra fundraiser above and beyond their normal donations, we will get there in no time at all.
Keep up the great job! (See breakdown below)
HUGS, DG Jean
Lions and Lens Crafters Tuesday December 6, 2005 is Hometown Day. Each first Tuesday of December, Lens Crafters stores have Hometown Day. On this day, Lens Crafters stores set aside a special morning to provide free eye exams and glasses to local residents in need as pre-determined by Lions and other charitable groups. Contact your store’s Gift of Sight Captain or General Manager to see if they still have space to accept referrals for this year. Gift of Sight On Site Vouchers - Lions clubs and other groups may obtain a limited number of pairs of glasses for people in need free-of-charge. Eye exams are not included. Lions Special Price - Lions clubs are able to purchase an unlimited number of pairs of glasses for needy individuals at a special price of US$50 per pair in the United States and US$70 per pair in Canada. Prepaid Lions Special Price vouchers are available in a book of 10. Eye exams are not included. Vision Vans - Two 40-foot Vision Vans "See more" and "Iris," travel North America delivering free eye care and new glasses to disadvantaged children pre-selected by Lions clubs and other local agencies. See if a van is scheduled for your area. Inquire with the Gift of Sight Captain or General Manager at the Lens Crafters store nearest to you on how you can work together on these programs. Should you have any questions for LCI, please call 630-571-5466 ext. 315 or e-mail . We will be happy to assist you.
Regards, Margaret Newell, Manager/ Program Development Dept/ Lions Clubs Int’l/ Youth Outreach Opportunity/ Provided by District 33K Youth Outreach Chair J. Usinas
Making Healthy Connection Program—An Opportunity for Youth with Disabilities and Their Families
Hello there! My name is Susan Nicastro, and I am a Program Coordinator with the Making Healthy Connections program of Partners for Youth with Disabilities, Inc. I am again trying to spread the word about an important opportunity for youth with disabilities in Massachusetts. Making Healthy Connections is a transitions program for youth with disabilities and/or special health care needs who are 14 to 22 years of age. Any youth ages 14-22 who has a disability and/or special health care need and who can interact in and benefit from a mentoring relationship can apply. Youth will have opportunities to meet new friends with similar disabilities and learn information about topics such as their health care needs, independent living, fitness, talking to their health care providers independently, adaptive driving, and much more. There is also a parent group component. In addition, participating youth will be given the opportunity to be matched to an adult mentor with a similar disability. We need your help to involve eligible youth and their parents with this program. Currently we offer MHC programming based in three sites: Boston, Lawrence, and Springfield. Youth residing in these cities as well as the surrounding areas can apply. The program meetings begin in November 2005. The Boston program meets two Friday evenings per month from 7pm-9:30pm. The Lawrence and Springfield programs meet two Saturday afternoons per month from 1pm -4pm. A pre-registration interview will be arranged for any youth who express interest in participating. Please help us reach young people with disabilities who will benefit from this important program. If you are interested in more information about the Boston and Lawrence MHC programs, please contact Deep Chinappa, Eastern MA MHC Program Coordinator, at or at 617-556-4075 x20. For more information about the Springfield MHC program, please contact Susan Nicastro, Western MA MHC Program Coordinator, at or at 413-534-4479. Further information about Partners for Youth with Disabilities, Inc. can be found at our website ( Thanks very much! Susan Nicastro,/ Making Healthy Connections Program Coordinator Partners for Youth with Disabilities,/ P.O. Box 282/ Holyoke MA 01040/ 413-534-4479/ .
Lions Clubs International and Amtrak have partnered together to offer Lions members and their traveling companions special discounted rates for our 89th Annual International Convention in Boston, Massachusetts. The fares and discounts available to you depend upon the type of Amtrak service you are using. Discounts are not combinable. You can take advantage of the most appropriate discount for your particular travel situation. Basically, Amtrak offers 2 types of rail service to Boston:
ACELA EXPRESS / REGIONAL TRAINDescription
/ Amtrak’s high-speed train – up to 150 mph – that offers fewer stops with superior comfort and upscale amenities. / A ‘local’ train that makes numerous stops at stations along its route. Amtrak offers its deepest discounts on this type of train service.Routes / Key stations between Boston and Washington DC including New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore. / Nationwide – based upon your departure city, a change of trains may be required.
Classes of Service / Business or First Class / Coach or Business Class
Reservations Required? / Required / Recommended – Reservations are required to receive most discounted fares.
Here is an overview of the discounts available for individual travelers through Amtrak – for additional information and to obtain the latest schedule information, please call Amtrak at 1-800-872-7245 or go online at :
- Lions Clubs International Discount
Lion members and their traveling companions receive a 10% discount on the applicable adult rail fares including Acela Express (Business Class only). This discount is applicable for travel between June 23, 2006- July 08, 2006. To book your reservation, call Amtrak at 1-800-872-7245 and refer to discount code: X05J-953.
- Senior and Children’s Discount
Amtrak travelers 62 years of age and over receive a 15% discount on the applicable adult rail fares. When booking online, indicate Senior in the Passenger Discount section on the reservation screen. Traveling with children? Up to two children between 2 to 15 years of age receive a 50% discount off the standard adult fare when traveling with an adult.
This discount does notapply to: Weekday Acela Express service or sleeper accommodations. Additional restrictions may apply.
- Amtrak Share Fares
If you purchase two regular full fare tickets on trains in the Northeast, the rest of your party – up to 4 additional people – will travel for 90% off the regular full fare. Reservations must be made by March 31, 2006 and travel completed by August 31, 2006. All travelers must travel together at all times and have tickets issued at the same time. Once purchased, the tickets are non-refundable. Additional restrictions may apply. When booking online or calling Amtrak, refer to discount code: H545.
This discount does not apply to the Acela Express.
- Group Travel Discounts
Parties of 20 or more traveling together can take advantage of special group discounts through Amtrak. Reservations must be made at least 4 business days in advance, but we recommend booking earlier to secure the best fares and accommodations. Contact Amtrak’s group department at 1-800-872-1477.
- Amtrak Charter
For each group between 60-70 people,you can reserve a private car on one of Amtrak’s regularly scheduled departures, or to enjoy complete exclusivity, parties of 200 or moretraveling together can charter an entire Amtrak train! Take advantage of this unique opportunity to travel and socialize with your fellow Lion members! A chartered train can be customized and scheduled according to your group’s needs. Contact Mr. Bob Breslin at Amtrak’s Charter Services Department by email at:r phone at 215-329-3403.
Dear Lions of 33Y:
As you are now aware, the International Convention is coming to Boston in June 2006!! What a great time to be a Lion in MD33! This is a great opportunity for the Lions of MD33 to showcase our humanitarian efforts, and an opportunity to show the energy and “CAN DO” spirit of the Massachusetts Lions.
Preparations for hosting an International Convention normally begin 5 years prior to the event. We in MD33 have only 7 months to put our program together, serving as host for Lions all over the world.
PID Chuck Kostro and the subcommittees (also known as Team Boston) are well on their way to making this a very successful International Convention. However, a convention of this size (almost 20,000 in attendance) has significant financial commitments that are necessary to ensure that a world class Convention is held. Many of the MD’s who host these International Conventions have raised the dues for the general membership by $2.00 per member per year for the 5 years prior to the Convention (a total of $10.00 per member) in order to meet the financial commitments, but we do not have the time, the luxury or inclination to do this. We need the ‘seed capital’ to allow us to proceed with all the tasks that go hand in hand with organizing and putting on an International Convention of this magnitude in preparing for this exciting event!
We are asking each Lion and each Club to help us raise the necessary capital to sponsor this Convention. Your donation will ensure that Team Boston has the necessary funding to carry on the tasks that we the Lions of MD33 have given them in making this convention a grand event that will long be remembered by the Lions of the World. Any amount you or your club contributes will be welcome in our quest to raise the necessary funds to sponsor this event. Checks should be made payable to “MD-33 International Convention 2006” and mailed to CT Richard Dunn, Host Convention Treasurer, 221 Winter Street, Waltham MA 02451. (Please include your club name, and district on the Memo portion of the check).
Working together, the Lions of MD33 will make this the best International Convention ever! Thank you in advance for your support of this important event.
Yours in Lionism,
DG Jean W. Martin
Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund, Inc. District 33Y--July 1, 2005 ---> Nov 17,2005Previous / Journey / Club Donation / Previous / Journey / Club Donation
Club Name / For Sight / incl J/S / Club Name / Year / For Sight / incl J/S
Adams / 1,874 / 300.00 / 1,300.00 / Lanesboro / 250
Agawam / 14,974 / Lee / 200
Agawam Lioness / 1,035 / Longmeadow / 2,945
Amherst / 25 / Ludlow / 500
Ashfield / Montague-Erving / 500
Belchertown / 2,100 / North Adams
Charlemont / Northampton / 3,050
Cheshire / 4,000.00 / Pelham / 859
Cummington / 2,000 / Pittsfield / 3,000 / 1,826.00 / 1,826.00
Dalton / 6,000.00 / South Hadley / 1,442
Deerfield / 148 / 32.00 / Southampton / 1,085 / 20.20 / 20.20
East Longmeadow / 5,034 / Southwick / 1,065
Easthampton / 3,584 / 14.00 / 14.00 / Springfield 16 Acres / 1,773
Granby / 250.00 / Stockbridge / 300 / 200.00
Granville-Tolland / 200 / West Springfield / 5,100 / 42.00
Great Barrington / 400 / Whately / 213 / 25.00
Greenfield / 1,691 / Wilbraham / 1,000
Hadley / 713 / 122.40 / Williamsburg / 550
Hampden / 2,127
Hampden Lioness / 500
Hatfield / 1,000
Hinsdale / 484 / 1,400.30 / 1,400.30 / SPECIALS:
Holyoke / 3,200 / District 33Y / 253
Hoosac Valley Leos / 300 / Discontinued Clubs / 150 / 25.00
Huntington / 1,717 / 30.00
Trust & Endowment / Totals
Club Donations / $67,341 / $3,560.50 / $15,286.90
District Specials / $57 / xxxxxxxxx / $0.00
District Memorials / $1,115 / xxxxxxxxx / $485.00
TOTAL T&E / --> / $0.00 / TOTAL---> / $68,513 / $3,560.50 / $15,771.90
October 24, 2005
Dear District 33Y Lions:
I am writing to ask for your help with our upcoming Mid-Winter Conference to be held on January 27 – 29, 2006 at the Sovereign Best Western Hotel in West Springfield. Each year we put together an Ad Book for the conference and the proceeds from the Ad Book help to pay for all the little extras which make the weekend a success.Plus, it has allowed us to hold the package prices the same for the last three years. This year we have negotiated a slightly lower package price, however, our other convention costs will remain the same or higher. We have done a pretty good job of getting ads over the last few years, but we can do much better with just a small amount of extra effort. Again this year, we will give a double package (a $260 value) to anyone who sells $1000 in ads for the book. Whether you consider it a commission or a bonus, it is a nice reward for the time spent soliciting the businesses in your area.
With that said, I am asking that your club help us to fund this year’s conference by doing two things: 1) purchase an ad for your club in the Ad Book, and 2) solicit ads from local businesses in your community. All of our clubs do business with our local banks and, if we ask, they will usually pay for an ad without much arm twisting. The extra Ad Book revenue will allow us to put on a better conference for the Lions of District 33Y. Included with this letter are Ad Book forms. Ads can be submitted in printed form or in a digital format which can be emailed directly to me at . If your club needs help with the ad, just send me what you want to say in the ad and I will create an ad for you.
Please support our Mid-Winter Conference by helping with the Ad Book and, by all means, come to the Conference and have some fun.