We believe in and follow
the Lions Clubs International Mission: We Serve
February 2010 News
Six Lions and spouses from the Bemidji Lions Club will be attending the 5M-10 Midwinter Convention at Duluth February 5-6-7. They are Lions President Bob Batchelder, Lion Dick and Bev Labratten, Lion Joe Love, Lion Jack Naastad, and Lion Wayne Tieman. The convention will be held at the Duluth Holiday Inn. About 200 Lions will be in attendance.
There are 54 Lions and Leo Clubs with over 1200 members in District 5M-10, which is in Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Ontario. The 5M-10 Midwinter is held every year for the purpose of unity and promotion of Lions International goals. The Lions follow their motto "We Serve" through volunteerism and financial support.
Lions International supports and promotes many charitable endeavors. At each midwinter convention, clubs and Lions members make donations to many charities and organizations. Bemidji Lions President Bob Batchelder will present on behalf of our club, checks totalling $5100 at the Sunday morning Parade of Green. The following Lions International charities and organizations will receive checks from the Bemidji Lions:
| Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) | $ 500 |
| MN Lions Eye Bank Inc | $ 400 |
| Spring Point Project Diabetes Research | $ 500 |
| Multiple District 5M Hearing Foundation | $ 400 |
| Hearing & Service Dogs - Minnesota | $ 300 |
| Leader Dogs for the Blind | $ 500 |
| Lions Quest - USA and Bemidji School District | $2500 |
This $5100 is included within our annual budget of $16,250. The other $11,150 is given to many Bemidji community organizations and individuals.
Be sure to come! The Lions will be flipping "Jacks" (Pancakes) for the 27th Annual Buena Vista Logging Days on Saturday, February 6th. The Bemidji Lions Club has volunteered many years to serve a logger's breakfast. The whole day is a nostalgic trip back to the logging days of old. Breakfast is just one of many things to do that day. We're looking forward to another good day and we hope for many eaters.
January 2010 News
The Beltrami County Extension of the Salvation Army wishes to thank the Bemidji Lions Club for the time contributed for ringing the bell for the Christmas Kettle Program. The Bemidji Lions rang the bell during the week following Thanksgiving at the Paul Bunyan Mall. Over 30 Lions members volunteered.
The total amount collected for the 2009 Christmas Kettle Program was $18,613.58, which was over $4000 more collected than the year before. Thank you everyone!!!!
December 2009 News
The L10 Newsletter for December 2009 (3.3 MB - this file will take a moment to load)
The Bemidji Lions have been involved in recent Christmas projects.
A total of $950 was collected from Bemidji Lions Club members for the annual Holiday Gifts for Kids. This surpasses the amount given in past years by many times. Thank you Lions for your generosity!
Another project is the annual Holiday Gifts for Kids. The Lions have collected a vast assortment of toys, clothes, and cash ($550 and rising) for Christmas gifts to children in the Bemidji area. Many children will receive Christmas gifts through this annual program.
A third project was to answer the telephones for the December Lakeland Public Television pledge drive. The Bemidji Lions answered the telephone for a two hour period on Tuesday, December 1st. The club now holds the record for the most pledges made in a two hour period with 57. We raised over $3000 during that two hour time slot and brought in many new members for Lakeland Public TV.
The Lions also rang the bell for the Salvation Army during the week after Thanksgiving. This is the annual Christmas Kettle Program that the Lions have done for many years. 32 Lions volunteered for two hour time slots to ring the bell. Last year the Bemidji Lions collected over $2000 for their bell ringing, and it appears that we easily topped that amount this Christmas season.
Many thanks to the Lions for their service to our community. We follow the Lions International motto "We Serve".