CALUMET CITY
LIONS CLUB
1939 - (Our 85th year of Community Service) - 2025
We were chartered in November of 1939 and have provided help and served those in need in the community ever since. Our club is part of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service organization, with more than 1.4 million members in hundreds of countries and geographical areas. The proceeds from our fund-raisers are used to provide aid for the blind, visually-handicapped, deaf and hearing-impaired as well as many other worthwhile causes. Current members of the Calumet City Lions Club represent more than 1,000 years of community service through Lionism. (Click on PHOTO GALLERY on the upper left to view a picture of our current members.)
AUGUST
Dear Fellow Lions,
I'm excited to invite you and your families to our upcoming Club Family Picnic, graciously hosted by Lions Bob and Brenda Block! This will be a wonderful opportunity to gather in fellowship, share a meal, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon together as we begin a new club year.
Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025
Place: The Block Residence
615 205th Place
Dyer, IN 46311
What: Lions Club Family Picnic
Time:
2:00 p.m. Gathering and Social
4:00 p.m. Dinner (Potluck for Salads)
What's on the Menu?
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Provided by the Blocks: Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Bratwurst
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Provided by the Club: Water and Pop
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Provided by Brenda Block: Taco Salad
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Potluck (please bring one of the following):
Pasta Salad, Potato Salad, Fruit Salad, Baked Beans, Chips, Snacks, Desserts, 6-8 Plastic Tablecloths, Plates, Napkins, Flatware-
Feel free to bring your own adult beverages (beer, wine, etc.) and any mixers you may need.
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Please bring lawn chairs if you plan to sit out in the yard. There will be deck seating, but yard space will be more comfortable with your own chair. If it rains, we’ll move into the garage area, and we’re also planning to have a 10x10 tent set up.
The Blocks will have Bocce Ball, Ladder Ball and Corn Hole ready to go. There’s also a well-maintained open field behind the house, so feel free to bring your favorite lawn game or sport to enjoy!
Please RSVP ASAP
To help with planning, please reply all to let us know if you're coming, how many potential guests you'll be bringing, and what item(s) you’ll be bringing. That way, everyone can see what’s covered and what’s still needed.
We hope you can join us for a fun and relaxing afternoon filled with food, laughter, and good company.
In Lionism,
Lion Brenda Morrison
The Prez Sez -
Dear Fellow Lions,
It is with great joy and gratitude that I step into the role of President for the 2025–2026 Lions year! Since joining Lions in 2021, I’ve been continually inspired by the heart, humor and dedication of our members. But my passion for serving began much earlier, during my teen years, I went on more than 10 mission trips with my church, where I first discovered the deep joy that comes from giving back. That spirit of service has stayed with me ever since, and I’m proud to now be entering my 25th year of serving as an educator at Lincoln, right here in Calumet City.
A little about me: I’m married to Ryan, a kind and wonderful soul who keeps me grounded and laughing. We have two beautiful pups who run the house, and I’m a proud aunt to 16 nieces and nephews and a great aunt to two more! I enjoy reading, crafting, watching every Real Housewives franchise (don’t judge!), and I’ve been known to flutter around the room like the social butterfly I am.
As your president, I’m excited to focus on three main goals this year:
President Goals
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Bring Joy to Every Gathering – Meetings and service should lift our spirits. When we laugh and connect, we serve better. Let’s make joy part of everything we do!
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Increase Member Commitment to Service – Our work is most impactful when we all show up, ready to roll up our sleeves and give our best.
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Lead with Gratitude and Recognition – I’ll make it a priority to acknowledge your efforts and celebrate one another. When we feel seen, we shine.
Club Goals
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Grow Our Pride – Let’s welcome new members to join our mission and multiply our impact.
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90% Attendance Commitment – Showing up is the first step to making a difference. Let’s aim for strong, consistent participation.
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Share the Lions Story Loud and Proud – Our community should know who we are and what we do. Let’s be proud ambassadors of Lions Clubs International!
I’m honored to serve as your President, and I’m genuinely excited for what we can accomplish together. Most of all, I’d love to hear from you—your ideas, your energy, your vision for growing our club. Here’s to a joyful, impactful, and unforgettable year!
In Lionism,
Lion Brenda Morrison
Calumet City Lions Club President (2025-2026)
School events need your help
Greetings Lions,
It’s that time of year-backpacks, school bells, and a perfect chance to show our Lions Pride to the community! We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help represent our club at three upcoming Back-to-School events. All we’re asking for is 1–2 hours of your time, a smile, and your Lions gear!
Here’s where you can jump in and make a difference:
Lincoln Elementary – Saturday, August 9 | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Hoover Schrum – Saturday, August 23 | Starting at 10:00 AM
Wentworth – Wednesday, September 3 | (5:00 PM-7:00 PM)
Whether you can volunteer at one event or all three, your presence helps promote the amazing work we do and connects us with future partners, families, and members. We’ll follow up with more details and a reminder email for those who sign up.
To volunteer, please reply to this email by August 6.
And don’t forget to wear your Lions attire- let’s show the community who we are and what we stand for!
If you have any questions, feel free to email or call me anytime. Thank you for your continued commitment and for helping us roar into the school year with service and pride!
In Lionism,
Lion Brenda Morrison
Calumet City Lions Club President
Congratulations and many thanks to outgoing President Lion Tamara Young for helping guide us through our 85th year of Community Service. A job well done! And, a warm welcome and best wishes for a successful year to incoming President Lion Brenda Morrison, who will lead us during 2025-26.
The new officers and directors for 2025 - 2026 were formally installed on Friday, June 20, by past International Director Lion Bob Block. They assumed their duties on July 1.
Congratulations and thanks for serving!
President - Brenda Morrison
1st Vice President - Robert Hubbird
2nd Vice President - Colleen Schutz
Secretary - Jackie Labahn
Treasurer - Katie Keilman
Tail Twister - Bob Lake
Lion Tamer - Brian Rucinski
Membership/Retention - Ashley Houlihan
Directors - Steve Drew, Dennis Halloran, Andrew Labahn and Leo Valencia
Past President - Tamara Young
The Prez Sez --
As we proudly step into our 86th year of Lionism, we are thrilled to welcome the new board members who will help lead our club with vision, dedication and a joyful heart.
Together, we celebrate our legacy of service and look forward to another incredible year of making a difference in our community. May we continue to serve with compassion, lead with integrity and inspire others through our actions.
Here's to a year filled with purpose, connection and the true spirit of Lionism!Have a great summer. See you in September!
Lion Brenda
We Did It Again!
Our annual $20,000 Raffle/85th Anniversary Party was held at the VFW on Friday, May 9. And, it was a "roaring" success. Once again we sold all 500 tickets, ensuring that we're fully-funded for yet another year of Community Service in 2025-26! Lion Steve Drew led the way with an astonishing 164 tickets sold!
And . . . the winners are:
1st prize ($20,000) - #254 (sold by Lions A. Labahn/S. Drew)
2nd prize ($2,000) - #487 (sold by Lion Jim Gigliotti)3rd prize ($1,000) - #243 (sold by Lion Steve Drew)4th prize ($500) - #381 (sold by Lion Steve Drewi)5th prize ($250) - #392 (sold by Lion Steve Drew)6th prize ($250) - #049 (sold by Lion Denny Halloran)7th prize ($200) - #028 (sold by Lion John Kasperek)8th prize ($200) - #411 (sold by Lion Jiohn Kasperek)9th prize ($200) - #400 (sold by Lion Mike Woolsey)10th prize ($200) - #338 (sold by Lion JJohn KasperekCongratulations to all the honorees and scholarship winners who were recognized at our annual Awards Night at the VFW on May 13. It was a great evening as Lions, families and friends gathered to thank our public servants and educators for their service and send deserving local students on to college with a bit of financial help! A fitting conclusion to our 85th year of Community Service.
Got books or magazines? Our Little Libraries could use some. Contact Lion Denny to donate.
Happy Birthday_________
August 6 - Tom Stefaniak
August 10 - Tom Backofen
August 11 - Denny Halloran (80)
August 18 - Esther Rothstein
August 22 - Mike Woolsey
Happy Anniversary_
August 28 - Bob/Kathy Schneider (60)
It would be a kind gesture to send Lion Steve a card or reach out with a call or text. He can be reached at (708) 602-3086, and cards can be sent to 123 Highland St, Calumet City.
Let’s keep Lion Steve in our thoughts as he continues to recover!
Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.
