The International Falls Lions Club met Nov. 2.
President Dick Schaak opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by invocation by Beverly Mayfield.
Minutes and treasurers reports were given by Karen Briese.
With the help of Sjobloms Landscape and Nursery, a truck load of ice melt was unloaded with their fork lift. We thank them for being so neighborly.
Correspondence consisted of a request from the Confidence Learning Center which was tabled and a request for $200 from the Salvation Army for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner.
Governors Night is Nov. 6 in Fort Frances. We were also saddened to hear of the death of Roy Zub from the Voyageurs Lions Club.
Our annual Christmas party and auction will be Dec. 5 at Almost Lindy’s (formerly 19th Hole Restaurant). Social at 6 p.m., dinner at 7. Money raised from the auction will be used for diabetes projects within the community such as screenings at the schools and United Health Care.
Dick Briese wrote a grant for Quest. There are two available for 5M 10 and needs the approval of the district governor.
Jessie Laurion thanked the club for the flower arrangement following her surgery.
Ron Laurion said the cotton candy machine we use on the Fourth of July belongs to his son and he will donate the $500 piece of equipment to the Lions. We appreciate that generous offer.
The Helen Keller Award is available to members who actively work with eyes and sight.
The Peace Posters were displayed and judged. Prizes were awarded and a show pass given to all that took part.
Invitations were sent to all medical people in the area to hear Larry Winner speak on the Spring Point Project. Winner serves on the Diabetes Foundation Committee and is chairman of the Spring Point Project for the multiple districts.
Minnesota Lions Diabetes Foundation partners with the University of Minnesota Schulze Diabetes Institute and the Spring Point Project. The Schulze Institute has performed the first human to human islet transplantation and reversal of diabetes in 12 monkeys by transplanting islet cells from pigs. Spring Point Projects operates a biosecure facility where high-health “medical grade” pig donors are produced. Type 1 diabetes destroys islet cells and people with this type of diabetes must inject with insulin to stay alive. They believe replacing lost islets is the basis of the cure. “Lions and Pigs can change the World.” Lions will continue to promote awareness of the project.
Remember the party/auction Dec. 5 and our next meeting will be Jan., 4, 2010 at the Holiday Inn.
