Finally getting back to a more normal meeting since March when the COVID-19 pandemic began it’s spread, members of the West Liberty Lions Club met at the West Liberty Golf & Country Club Monday, Sept. 28.
The civic organization did not meet for a couple of months before meeting twice this past summer at the rural home of President Duane Forbes.
The Lions took care of business with a number of donations, reports on their growing Flags over West Liberty program, launching a Peace poster program and working to alert residents of the dangers of diabetes.
Club treasurer Dean Beranek reported the organization has added four new flags for residents in their Flags over West Liberty program, setting up for the final display of the year on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11,
Beranek said special slip covers have been purchased for residents wanting to keep their own flags in their home and reported updates on a used trailer which will store and haul the flags, which the Lions display throughout the community at four different holidays through the year, recently completing Labor Day weekend festivities.
The Lions are displaying more than 150 flags throughout the community through the program and hope to get as many as 200 residents and businesses participating in the annual renewable program. Anyone interested in learning more about the flags program should contact Beranek or any Lions member.
The Lions were also praised by the West Liberty School District for a $1,000 donation toward personal protection equipment for students and faculty members as the new school year began.
The organization is also working with the schools on their annual Peace Poster program where art students can design a poster that could be used internationally in promoting peace throughout the world. Lion Ed Moreno is heading the program.
Dave Sheldahl also talked about the Lions annual eye-screening program held annually in the West Liberty Early Learning Center, using a machine to test the vision of pre-school and kindergarten youngsters. Sheldahl said over 65 students were tested and five were referred to an eye doctor and two others also were discovered with serious vision problems. He said dozens of other students have been tested, noting many of the students are doing virtual education and he’s working on a way to get the students tested through the school, utilizing health-safe procedures.
The group is also questioning whether they will be hired again this year by Aramark to operate a food stand at the Carver Hawkeye Arena for men’s basketball games. It was reported there hasn’t been a lot of communication between the groups as to whether the fundraising program will continue. In the past, the program has been one of the major fundraisers for the organization, which served the arena fans at about a dozen games.
It was also pointed out the University of Iowa Mobile Health Clinic, operated by the College of Medicine, will be at the First Church United grounds on Oct. 25 to serve area families. The Lions are working with the clinic to provide three-minute diabetes tests for the clinic, obtained through a pair of local grants.
It was also pointed out the Lions gave $500 toward a memorial for Curt Newcomb, the former West Liberty Fire Chief and long time first responder who was also a member of the organization. Newcomb died in March, but was honored Sunday, Sept. ?? at Celebration of Life services.
The organization also approved updating a heart defibrillator donated several years ago to the West Liberty Golf & Country Club. The cost of the update, which included a new battery and paddles, would be shared by the organization and the country club.
The Lions also made a $150 donation to the Leader Dog organization in Michigan, which trains dogs for the blind and other handicaps.
The organization set their next meeting for Monday, Oct. 26, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at the West Liberty Golf & Country Club. Members are asked to wear masks and sit only two members per table for the meal meeting. Anyone interested in getting involved in the Lions Club are welcome to attend and should contact Duane Forbes or any Lions member.