Some of our past

Community Service Activities

All net proceeds from fund raising projects are returned to the community through our Live Oak Lion Charities service activities. Our supporter's proceeds are not used to operate the club or fund it's member's activities.

Thanks to the fine community support we get at our activities we are able to address some needs (primairly vision related) of our less fortunate citizens in the community and recognize the academic achievement of our school youth. As example, last year we were able to provide eye exams and 90 pairs of new eyeglasses to people in our community who otherwise could not have gotten them.

10/03/15

Local Lions Serve Again by Serving Again...

^{Servers: David Mullis, Bob Dawson, Jack Lewellyn, Joey Chamberlain, Justin Wilkinson, Teresa Lewellyn}

Several local Lions Club members volunteered their time and labor for community service to work together as a serving line on Saturday October 03 at the Florida Sheriff’s 2015 Homecoming and Open House. Great weather, great organization, great people, and great food made it a great day! Thanks to the Sherriff’s Ranch for giving Lions the opportunity to serve again at this annual tradition. Thanks to Lions who served – true to your motto: We Serve!

9/22/15

Lions Volunteer to be Story Time Readers

L-R:Chris Fry-President:Andrew Poole-Program: Nancy Roberts & Sharon Chamberlain-ELM

Guest presenters at the Live Oak Lions Club’s 9/22 meeting were Ms. Sharon Chamberlain and Ms. Nancy Roberts of Early Learning Matters in Suwannee. They jointly provided an informative description and update of the organization’s vision and the activities of its volunteer members.

Remember your kindergarten or grammar school teacher reading stories to you at school? Most often the class was mesmerized by a descriptive reader or story teller and looked forward to the next time. Some now older still have fond memories of the activity.

A priority of Early Learning Matters in Suwannee is to promote in area young and preschool children an increased desire to read by exposing them to the magic and joy of listening to the reading of storybooks. Volunteers set aside a little individual time each month to be story time readers to groups of young children.

Today large numbers of young children are not developing interests in reading because they are being constantly exposed to a multitude of outside-the-class entertainments. They are entertained, engrossed, and soon bored by battery powered electronic toys, videos, games, phones, etc. Young people, adults included, lack desire to effectively read a written language … except cryptic texting. The attitude is: no need to.

The ability to comprehend written language is the foundation of literacy and provides important advantages to advanced societies. Developing effective reading skills creates individual empowerment. The ability to develop mental images from written words begins at a very young age, but learning to read, and to comprehend what is read, takes time, desire, and effort and encouragement…. it is not easy. Learning Matters in Suwannee volunteer readers are providing the encouragement.

Several Lions in attendance signed up to join other local volunteers and donate some of their personal time to be a volunteer story time reader.

May 26 2015

Lions Club 53^rdSenior Awards Banquet

Live Oak & Branford Academic Top 10% Seniors Recognized

Suwannee High School Front L-R: Megan Ellis, Kevin Herron, Alora Cummings, Rebecca Perry, Danielle Hurst,Grace Law, Nick Torres, Lily Wyche, Jonathan Haney, Retrina Roberts. Back L-R: Gary Sansone, Krysta Bailey, Cheyenne Warner, Darian Linder, Trevor Ross, Brandon Furry, Tim Carter, Matthew Hendrick. Missing: JaShari Blige, Wyatt Jackson, Darian Scott, Cody Turner, Darrah Lane,Madeline Marler, Ryan Brantley, Haley Snipes.

Branford High School L-R: Lauren Suggs, Victoria Throckmorton, Cheyenne Thompson, Cheyenne Rucker, Katie White, Ashley Horn Missing: Katie Lloyd

Continuing a tradition that the Live Oak Lions Club in Suwannee County began 53 years ago to recognize graduating seniors for their academic accomplishments and to honor their proud parents the 2015 Annual Senior Awards Banquet was held on May 26 at the Live Oak Church of God.

To be invited to the event and receive recognition graduating seniors have to be in the top 10% of their graduating class. This year’s group of students was composed of 26 from Suwannee High School and 8 from Branford High School. There were 120 student, parents and guests attending this year despite the weather and the needed rain that came with it.

MC, Lion Adam Hitt called the program to order. After opening comments, Pledge of Allegiance, singing “America the Beautiful” and Invocation everyone enjoyed a delicious buffet meal prepared and professionally served by students of the Branford Culinary Arts Department who did a great job under the direction of their instructor, Ms. Juliana Dees.

Following the meal Lion John Wiggins introduced the event speaker, Rev. Dr. Shawn Johnson, First Baptist Church of Dowling Park. Rev. Johnson gave an enjoyable, challenging and inspiring message to the guests of honor and their parents.

Branford and Suwannee students were then individually recognized. Certificates of Achievement were individually presented to each Branford High senior by Mr. Jimmy Wilkerson, Branford High School Principal, and Adam Hitt, Lions Club President. Next Ms. Tammy Boggus, Suwannee High Assistant Principal of Curriculum, and Lion Adam Hitt awarded each Suwannee High Senior their certificate.

Following the presentations and benediction the ceremony was adjourned and then those group success- at- last memory photos were made.

The Lions Club expressed a sincere thank you to Lion Terry Mills, Suwannee High Instructor, for planning and coordinating the annual event for the past several years, to the loyal supporters at both schools, to individuals such as Ms. Marilyn Sapp who prepared all the certificates and invitations, and to all the other behind -the- scene contributors and volunteers.

The recognition of these young Suwannee County academic achievers was made possible by community supporting business sponsors: Thank You! First Federal Bank of Florida, Farm Bureau Insurance, and North Florida Printing.

Buffet

Rev. Johnson, Lion Wiggins, Lion Hitt

Lion Wiggins introductions

Rev. Dr. Shawn Johnson

Good Job

Ms. Dees & Branford Culinary Arts Crew

Cleanup time

Cleanup time --- Terry Mills does floors too!

LIONS Share

Suwannee High LEO Club Has Pizza with LIONS

Tuesday, May 12, 2015 was an interesting day for some LEO Club members. They quietly entered a room containing and being watched by several pacing, hungry looking Lions, but in a few minutes all were devouring 10 large pizzas. After the pizzas they stayed and participated with the Lions in various other activities.

These “Lions” were not wild, fearsome 4 legged cats. Actually they were fairly docile, were 2 legged, and are members of the local Live Oak Lions Club.

Lions and Leos enjoy pizza time.

The occasion was multi-purposed. One was to have a shared LIONS and LEO get together meeting at which the young people could observe an “official” Lions business meeting. Various reports were given, and 3 new Lion members were inducted. The Lion Club members also wanted to use the occasion to thank the Leo members for assisting them and helping their community this year by volunteering to work at the Lion Club’s concession stand at the Suwannee County Fair. This is the Lion’s main fundraiser. Funds raised from fund raisers are used to provide assistance to area sight and hearing disadvantaged citizens and to support positive citizenship involvement by our community’s youth. No proceeds collected from community fund raisers are used to operate the club.

Another purpose of the meeting was for the LEO Club to present to the Lions the results of their own community project, an eyeglass collection drive project that they conducted during the past few weeks. They did a great job and collected 200 pairs of glasses! The participation by donors, student and adult, was excellent. These used glasses will be refurbished, catalogued and made available by Lions District 35-L and Lions International to poverty stricken/disaster areas anywhere in the world. The meeting concluded with the Lions traditional Salute: “Not Above You- Not Beneath You –But With You”

Terry Mills LEO Club Advisor(L) and Lion President Adam Hitt (R) presented LEO President, Chelsa Croft a 100 % LEO President Award for meeting all the year’s requirements of a Leo President.

Lion President, Adam Hitt does not want to relinquish his podium to anyone. Lions do have term limits for their officers.

Lions Jack Lewellyn, Wyman Clark, and Chris Fry figure out how to set up a table. Sometimes three heads are better than one, but not always ..... according to witnesses.

12/22/14

Lions Volunteer

LIONS Share Food

with Community Families

Several club members volunteered to spread some Christmas joy and give back to their community. A variety of staple food items were purchased and packed into numerous Publix “Food for Sharing” bags. Then on December 22 (during a downpour) wet Lions made deliveries to the Pregnancy Care Center and the Vivid Visions office for the benefit of some area families. Despite the rain everyone had a fun time …. and despite some concern…. no one melted!

Pregnancy Care Center L-R: Lions Wyman Clark, John Wiggins, David Mullis, Vickie Hicks, Director Live Oak Pregnancy Care Center; Lions Homer Scroggin, Mike Johnson, Wyatt O’Neal

Vivid Visions

Back Row: Lions David Mullis, Mike Johnson, Wyman Clark, John Wiggins, Wyatt O’Neal Front Row: Vivid Visions Arnold Philmore, Prevention Co-ordinator; Alma Mendez Program Director; Joan Latreille, Records

November 11,2014

DISTRICT 35-L GOVERNOR VISITS

L-R 1st Vice Governor Larry Hopkins, Diane Melnick, District 35-L Governor, Bob Melnick.

Visiting with the Live Oak Lions Club at the November 11 meeting were Florida LIONS District 35L Governor, Lion Robert Melnick, accompanied by his wife Lion Diane Melnick, Ocala 200 Lions Membership Chair; and 1st Vice District Governor, Lion Larry Hopkins.

Governor Melnick reviewed the progress being made by Lions locally, across Florida, and around the world including the eradication of measles in impoverished countries. The Governor presented Governor's pins to new members of the local club and complimented the local club on it's community activities and membership gains this year. The Live Oak Club was complimented for having added 5 new Lions members this year.

Lions clubs exist around the world and are composed of 1.3 million community service minded members.

October 2014

Serving at Florida Sheriff’s Ranch Open House & Homecoming

The Lions Motto is: We Serve. In October several of our Live Oak Lions served by serving BBQ and all the fixings at the annual youth ranch homecoming. Helping out at this event has been an enjoyable community service activity opportunity for our local Lions members for many years.

GOOD JOB !

May 29, 2014

²⁰¹⁴Senior Awards Banquet

For 52 years the Live Oak Lions Club has each year recognized Suwannee County's graduating Seniors from Branford High and Suwannee High who are in the top 10 % of their class. This year the program was held on May 29^th at the Live Oak Church of God where the students, parents, special guests, and Lions enjoyed a fine meal prepared by the Culinary Arts class followed by an inspiring and challenging talk given by speaker Rev. Shawn Johnson. Each student was then presented a certificate for Academic Excellence by the individual school's principals, Mr. Ted Roush, Suwannee High School and Mr. James Richardson, Branford High School, and Lion President Wyman Clark.

Branford

Suwannee

Awards Banquet Speaker, Rev. Dr. Shawn Johnson, of the First Baptist Church of Dowling Park challenged the seniors their families and Lions to not be a part of a complacent society waiting for the world to come to you, but instead challenge and motivate yourself to build your own legacy.

Click Below to View Individual Presentation Photos

Branford Click Emblem Suwannee Click Emblem

GREAT JOB SENIORS! ..... WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. We Wish You All Success and Good Luck!

Our local business sponsors and individual supporters make this program a success each year. A sincere thank you to First Federal Bank of Florida, Suwannee Farm Bureau Insurance and North Florida Printing and anonymous others for their support of this event for our community's youth and academic achievers.

5/27/14

Suwannee High School LEO Club

Members Recognized By Live Oak Lions Club

Front LEOs: Chelsea Croft, Haleigh Martin, Imani Lee, Shan Johnson, Jasmine Herring, Briana Stevens, Nick Hill

2nd Row LEOS: Makala Rye, Alexis Cook, Michaela Woodson

Back Row Lions: Terry Mills, John Wiggins, Homer Scroggins, Wyman Clark, David Mullis, Wyatt O’Neal, Gerald Herring, Adam Hitt, David Jordan, Chris Fry, Mark Stewart.

On Tuesday 5/27/2014 some members of our Live Oak Lions Club loaded up pizzas soft drinks and some recognition and went to visit the LEOs to celebrate a successful year of positive activities. LEO clubs around the world are sponsored by Lions Clubs and are like Youth Lions. LEO clubs are organized to help youth become positive citizens, learn leadership and make positive contributors to their community. The Live Oak Lions Club has sponsored the local Leo club for many years and LION Member and SHS Instructor Terry Mills has served as the LEO Club Advisor.

This year’s club members met all project activity and reporting requirements and were recognized by Lions International as an Outstanding Leo Club. LEO President Nicholas Hill received an Outstanding President Award, LEO Vice President Briana Stevens received a Most Team Spirit Award and Advisor Terry Mills was given an Outstanding Advisor Award. Each was present their recognition by Lion President Wyman Clark and PD Governor Pat Hall. Also in addition to other achievements the LEOs participated with the LIONS in a used eye glass collection drive. As a result they were able to present PD Governor Hall with over 800 glasses during her visit. Lions and LEOS in Florida have collected and provided hundreds of thousands of used glasses worldwide.

LEO President Nick Hill receives Outstanding LEO President recognition from 35-L PD Governor Pat Hall and Live Oak Lion President Wyman Clark

LEO Vice President Briana Stevens receives Most Team Spirit Award from 35-L PD Governor Pat Hall and Live Oak Lion President Wyman Clark

LEO Club Advisor Terry Mills receives Outstanding LEO Advisor Award from 35-L PD Governor Pat Hall and Live Oak Lions President Wyman Clark

Past District Governor Pat Hall explains how the collected glasses are processed, combined and issued around the world by volunteer medical professionals on mission trips and relief efforts. Many, many times people who have been unable to see clearly all their life are instantly able to see due to someone’s donated glasses.

Hot Pizza … All you can eat …yum!

PD Governor Pat Hall, LEO President Nick Hill,and Past Lion President David Jordan do their part to help eliminate the pizza supply

LIONS O'Neal and Stewart prove Lions like pizza.

12/18/2013

Meals for Christmas Time

Pregnancy Center

Vivid Visions

Lions got together recently and after going "grocery shopping" prepared numerous Christmas Gift Food Bags of various basic food items and took them to some surprised area individuals and families enduring unexpected and unusual difficulties. Also, several bags were delivered to two local community agencies (shown above) to pass along to their clients who could benefit the most.

One of the joys of Christmas is in the uplifting feeling gained by giving gifts to others. But true giving, not the giving to those who want, but in the giving to those in real need brings the real joy of Christmas to the giver. Our Lions motto is: We Serve. Being a LION means being a person who wants no reward for their contributions except the satisfaction of knowing they helped. One of the recipients said, ” I didn't’t know what I was going to do, but I can cook …, and now I can have a Happy Christmas too”. That made the whole project worthwhile!

12/16/2013

LOCAL LIONS RING SALVATION ARMY'S BELL AGAIN !

Live Oak Lions Club volunteers continued a long time yearly tradition of ringing the bell at Christmas for the Salvation Army, a very worthwhile organization. We thank all those who gave and the merchants who provided the space, and the individual Lions who took time from their day to participate.

We Wish Everyone A Merry Christmas + A Happy New Year !

11/09/13

Band Boosters + Lions = Great Team !

Photo by The person behind the camera

Local Lions Club volunteers recently responded to a call from Suwannee Band Boosters for a few extra workers to help them in their concession stand at the football stadium during the Columbia vs Suwannee football game. Three Lions, President, Wyman Clark; Vice President, Wyatt O’Neal ;and Zone Chair/Treasurer, David Mullis, all familiar with the hectic style of concession stand work due to their experiences at the LIONS concession stand at the Suwannee County Fair, gladly volunteered to contribute helping hands serving hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks, chip and candies, and of course hot boiled peanuts and seemingly gallons of hot chocolate, for a worthwhile group that supports the musical talents of our young people in our community.

Our LIONS motto is ... We Serve ... sometimes literally!

October 2013

Serving as Servers at Sheriff's Boy's Ranch

Ready to Serve: Lions Mullis, O'Neal, Lewellyn, Stewart, Dawson, Clark.... and Scroggin behind camera!

Lion volunteers recently took their motto, We Serve, to the max. They served the local community by serving as volunteer servers for the Florida Sheriff's Boys Ranch 2013 Homecoming and Open House.

uhhhh ,,,,, fellows we're still serving over here! You mean it wasn't break time yet ????

Job done well --Lion photographer Homer Scroggin

LION and LEO

Our Lions Club sponsors the Suwannee High Leo Club. LEOS assist the Lions and participate in various public community projects. LEO youth develop interactive skills from exposure to positive community citizenship, leadership and compassion.

Outstanding Leo Advisor Award

Lion Mills receiving Outstanding Leo Advisor Award for commendable service to Club and Community.

______________________________

L E O

Leadership Experience Opportunity

The first Leo Club was founded in 1957 by Jim Graver, the coach of the Abington High School, Pennsylvania baseball team. He was an active member of the Glenside Lions Club. The club was founded with the help of William Ernst, another local Lion. It adopted the high school's colors of maroon and gold. The club also created the acronym Leadership, Equality, Opportunity for the word Leo. The word equality was later changed to experience.

In 1964 the Leo Club program became a sponsored program of the Lions district. It grew beyond Pennsylvania and the United States of America. By 1967 the program had grown to over 200 clubs in 18 countries and become an official youth program of Lions International. In the following year, the Leo program spread rapidly, more than quadrupling in size, to 918 clubs in 48 countries by the end of 1968. By 1996 there were over 5000 LEO clubs. Today there are Leo Clubs in over 141 countries.

Purpose

The stated purpose of Leo Clubs is:

To promote service activities among the youth of the community which will develop the individual qualities of Leadership, Experience and Opportunity.

To unite its members in friendship, fellowship and mutual understanding. Leo Clubs are a youth organization of Lions Clubs International.

The word L E O stands for Leadership, Experience, Opportunity.