Local Teen represents Clyde at Kansas Lions Band Camp
Clyde, KS, 7/22/2013 – A Clifton-Clyde student represented his hometown well recently as he took part in the Kansas Lions Band Camp. Kyle Biggerstaff, a Junior at Clifton-Clyde High School, was selected to attend the band camp which was held at Friends University in Wichita, Ks. on May 28 – June 1, 2013. This year’s camp included 195 students representing 112 different schools. The Lions State Band was directed by Dr. John Taylor, Friends University. Kyle is the son of Mike and Ricki Feight of Clyde.
Lion Gene Johnson, of Concordia, KS, a director at the Kansas Lions Band foundation, attended this year’s camp. Lion Johnson explained that the students are grouped by their specific instrument and attend educational sessions held by experts on how to better play their instrument. A concert was held on Saturday morning at the Central Community Church in Wichita. He said the church is a very beautiful place to have a concert. The concert was attended by the International Lions President, Wayne Madden, of Indiana. Lion Johnson is excited to announce that the Kansas Lions Band Camp will be held at Kansas State University next year on June 3-7, 2014.
Josh Hambleton, band director for the Clifton-Clyde band, said “Kyle’s presence at the state level helped to put the Clifton-Clyde music program on the map.” Mr. Hambleton was thankful for the opportunity for one of his students to attend the band camp and is interested in sending more students to future Kansas Lions Band camps. Anyone interested in attending future band camps should contact Mr. Hambleton.
While I was discussing Kyle’s experience with him, I couldn’t help but notice the excitement and enthusiasm in his voice. He shared with me that the entire week was a lot of fun and very educational. He said “they had the students go through chair tryouts during the week and we learned the next day what chair we would be in.” Kyle came away from the week with a renewed enthusiasm for music. In fact, he plans to pursue a college education majoring in music. He and his parents purchased a brand new professional grade trumpet after the experience.
In Kyle’s thank you note, he wrote that he made some friends and not only learned about playing the trumpet but also learned about responsibility. Kyle received a DVD that shows all the fun and educational experiences from the week. There was a lot more to the week than just playing an instrument. He would be very happy to show you the video if you are interested. The Clyde Lions Club would like to congratulate Kyle and thank him for representing the club and his community.
The Clyde Lions Club meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday each month at 6:15 at French Quarters. Lions clubs are a group of men and women who support charitable activities within the community. For more information or to get involved with the Clyde Lions Club, please contact Harold Poland at 785-446-3624.
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Clyde Lions Accept Hearing Aids, Cell Phones, and Eyeglasses
Clyde, KS, 9/9/2013 – The Clyde Lions are roaring again with a new service. The Clyde Lions Club has numerous projects that allow the local area to help individuals in need. One of the longest running projects is the effort to collect used eyeglasses and redistribute them all over the world. With the help of local businesses in Clifton and Clyde, the Clyde Lions Club is excited to announce that it is now accepting used cell phones and used hearing aids in addition to used eyeglasses.
As always, the Clyde Lions Club collects used prescription eyeglasses and prescription and non-prescription sunglasses as part of a unique recycling program. The collected glasses will be cleaned and prepared for distribution in developing countries where eye care is often unaffordable and inaccessible. “We need everyone to donate their used eyeglasses,” said Lion Homer Naumann, Clifton. “In most developing countries, an eye exam can cost as much as one month’s wages and a single eye doctor may serve a community of hundreds of thousands of people.”
One of the most effective ways Lions help people with hearing loss or impairment is through the Hearing Aid Recycling Program. Lions recycle thousands of hearing aids a year that enhance the lives of adults and children worldwide. The donated aids will be shipped to a regional Lions Hearing Aid Recycling Center where many will be refurbished for a recipient in need. Other aids will be distributed to teams of hearing care professionals and other volunteers for use during health care missions in developing nations.
The Lions Club now accepts used cellular telephones as a tax deductible donation. Donated cell phones are recycled in accordance to EPA regulations or refurbished and sold. 100% of the proceeds help fund vision and hearing programs. “What is insignificant to us – an old cell phone – is a life-changer to people in the 3rd World,” said Lion Chief Mari Detrixhe. “All of us can make a difference in the world with this Lions project.”
To donate used hearing aids, carefully wrap them before placing them in a Lions Donation Box. Used glasses (including sunglasses and reading glasses) and used cell phones may be placed in the same collection boxes. Donation boxes have been placed at the following businesses: In Clyde; Ideal Market, Seifert Jewelry, and Clyde Area Recycling. In Clifton, you will find a Donation Box at the Post Office and T’s Grocery Store.
The club would like to thank the local businesses for allowing us to place donation boxes at their location. Helping the needy is a team effort. Thank you for helping us with our mission to assist others.
The Clyde Lions Club meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday each month at 6:15 at French Quarters. Lions clubs are a group of men and women who support charitable activities within the community. For more information or to get involved with the Clyde Lions Club, please contact Harold Poland at 785-446-3624.
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.3 million members in approximately 45,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world. For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit the Web site at www.lionsclubs.org.
By Bob Pearson, Public Relations Clyde Lions Club
