Welcome to the Eugene Downtown Lions!

Chartered in 1924, the Eugene Downtown (EDT) Lions Club is 63 members strong, making it one of the largest Lions Clubs in Oregon. The EDT Lions meet on the first and third Wednesday at noon at the Eugene Mission to hear the latest reports on Club activities and to learn from an interesting array of speakers or enjoy performances by local musicians.

The Eugene Downtown Lions held their annual Installation Dinner on June 28th at the ARC Park. Click here to read the full story.

A Historical Celebration to be Remembered

The Eugene Downtown Lions Club celebrated its 100th Anniversary with a Gala on February 24, 2024, at the Eugene Country Club. To honor this great achievement Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis issued a Proclamation honoring the Club’s 100th Anniversary. There were special guests and shared memories of the 100 years of service by the club members.

The Gala began with a Social hour. Lion Judith Grosenick introduced herself as Mistress of Ceremonies and gave the podium to Lion President Jimmy Koch who officially welcomed everyone to this monumental event.

Lion Past International Director Ed Gear introduced the many Special Guests who were in attendance. They included Leah Malcolm, Ex. Sec.; Linda Stent, PDG; Phyllis Carlin, CC& DG; Ed Gear, PID, PDG, CC; Lynn Coon, DG: Chuck Blanchard, PDG; David O’Kelley, PDG; Mary Lee Turner, PDG; Doug Thompson, C.E.O OLSHF; Bob Chaney, PCC; Diane Bash, Dist. 36R Cabinet Secretary and Vincent Bishop, PDG, CC, 36R ExAdmin.

Lion Tim Chuey gave the invocation and then the dinner was served. Two special cakes were prepared for the occasion. They were delicious!

Two tables were set up with photos of the many Past Presidents who guided the Club during their time as President and two poster boards displayed the events and publicity the club garnered over the years.

The formal program began at 6:30 pm with a spotlight video by Lion Jeff Musgrove who was still at his residence in Hawaii.

The following speakers gave two-minute reminiscences about their Eugene Downtown Lions Club experiences: Lions Yvonne Hamson, Roger Smith, Jim Mueller, Karen Norton, and Mary Lee Turner.

A special spotlight video wrapped up the program as Lion Gold Fabian, who wasn’t able to attend in person, congratulated the Club on its hundredth Anniversary as she just celebrated her 100th birthday. A very stirring presentation I might add.

Social Hour music was provided by three members of the Eugene-Springfield Youth Orchestra.

This article could have been written in very flowery prose, but it is better to let the emotion of the event speak for itself.

9 May 2024

Tim Chuey

Publicity Chairman Eugene Downtown Lions Club

The Eugene Downtown Lions Club is celebrating 100 years of service to our community this year. Mayor Vinis presented a Proclamation recognizing the club's outstanding service.

These Lions Have a Reason to Celebrate!

The Eugene Downtown Lions Club kicked off its Centennial Anniversary celebration within the club at the annual Awards and Installation banquet in June. The first public celebration of 100 years as a Lions Club was kicked off on Friday, July 7th with Lions Night at PK Park. The Public Address Announcer explained the Club’s Anniversary and Legacy Centennial project at the Arc Park and detailed what the Eugene Downtown Club and Lions Clubs worldwide are all about. The new Centennial Logo was prominently displayed on the big screen for all to see.

Many club members participated with Lion Chuck Blanchard and others enjoying the happy faces when they gave out free balloons to the youngsters. Lions from other clubs were in attendance including the Junction City Club, Doug Thompson, Executive Director of the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation was accompanied by two others from the Foundation.

The Eugene Gleeman did a great job of singing “Then National Anthem” and EDT President Lion James “Jimmy” Koch threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The Club had a special area set up to promote Lions, give out the balloons, pass out the special yellow club shirts to those who purchased the 100 tickets we had for sale, and of course chat with people who might have an interest in becoming a Lion.

Oh, along with all of the celebrating the fans enjoyed watching the baseball game too.

Thanks go to all of the Lions, family members, and friends who were in attendance.

Special thanks go to our sponsors: James Conners, Sam Grier, Main Street Coffee Company, Ninkasi, Parties to Go, Vicki Woodcock Edwards National Business Solutions, Debbie Healey, Relax, and Family Vision Center.

Looking to the future, a Centennial Celebration banquet is being planned and will take place in 2024.

Thanks to those who sent in the many pictures of the event since I was not able to attend: Lions Ted Fox, Diane Gregoire, Jim Newton, Karen Norton, and Jeff Musgrove. Also Samantha Doyle from the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation. I wish I could have used them all.

26 July 2023

Tim Chuey

Publicity Chairman

Eugene Downtown Lions Club

Lion Chuck shows off our new Lions shirt. Immediate Past President Lion Jim and Lion Sharon Newton

Lion Jimmy Koch throws out the first ball.

The

The Eugene Gleeman, with our own Lion Tom McCann, sang the National Anthem.

A New and Very Significant Location Made for a Fun Evening

The job of planning the Club’s Annual Awards and Installation Banquet always goes to the President-Elect. Lion James “Jimmy” Koch had that job this year. He planned a more informal outdoor gathering at The Arc Park in Springfield. That may seem unusual, but there is great significance in choosing that location.

The Eugene Downtown Lions Club will be celebrating our 100th Anniversary in 2024 and in keeping with our motto “We Serve” the Club’s Legacy Centennial Project is to financially support the Arc Park project to give all children regardless of disabilities a place to have fun.

Lion President Jim Newton presented the check for $26,000 dollars for the Club's participation in building specific special activities for disabled children to Pam Ring, Executive Director of the Arc of Lane County, Jo Ann Henderson, Development Director, and Scott Connell, President of the Arc of Lane County Board.

Next were the awards presentations. Lion Newt emphasized that all of the club members have done a great job this year and the awards are given to those who stood out as exceptional.

First were the Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship awards. The Melvin Jones Fellowship is the highest honor given to Lions. The progressive meaning is that this would be the second Melvin Jones Fellowship awarded to the recipients. They are Lions: Chuck Blanchard, Karen Norton, Judith Grosenick, Jim Origliosso, and Teri Yerton.

Spirit of Service Awards go to Lions: Kat Chinn, Ted Fox, and Bob Hixson.

President’s Appreciation Awards were presented to Lions: Tim Chuey, Diane Gregoire, Leah Malcolm, Diane Landon, Jim Mueller, and Joan Vaughan.

Outstanding Service Stars went to Lions: Tim Arbow, Jeff Musgrove, Susan Pfanner, Sharon Newton, and Jim Newton.

The last two awards are the culmination of the year of outstanding service.

The “Lion Cub of the Year” award was presented to Lion Tom Buckhouse and Lion Tom McCann was honored as “Lion of the Year.”

The Officer and Directors Installation was performed by Past District Governor and District Governor Elect Lynn Coon. The first to be installed was President-Elect Lion Jimmy Koch. Then rest of the Officers are Lions: Vice President Jim Origliosso, Treasurer Teri Yerton, Secretary Karen Norton, Tail Twister Judith Grosenick, Lion Tamer Ted Fox, The Board of Directors members are Lions: Chuck Blanchard, Connie Fehlman, Jim Mueller, Leah Malcolm, Tom McCann, and Liz Roberts.

Of course, as usual, the food was excellent and the special cake with the Club’s new Centennial logo on it was wonderful.

Congratulations to Lion President-Elect Jimmy Koch for planning and executing a perfect outdoor event for the very important annual banquet.

19 June 2023

Lion Tim Chuey

Publicity Chairman

Eugene Downtown

Lions Club

Patriotism is Alive and Well in First Grade

After the long-lasting Pandemic protocols prevented my contact with the local schools, I finally was able to give out "Flags For First Graders” this Spring. The first of the three schools where I gave out the flags was Howard Elementary School. The 4 first grade classes were separately given an explanation of the words in the "Pledge of Allegiance" and a brief history of the American Flag. Each student received a flag, a wooden block stand, and a brochure with the details that were explained to them.

Next was Awbrey Park Elementary School where I went from one classroom to the next to give the presentation to 4 classrooms of youngsters.

The final school was O’Hara Catholic School and this time all of the first graders were assembled in the cafeteria.

A total of 209 flag sets were distributed to the eager first graders.

Special thanks to all of the first-grade teachers and in particular my teacher contacts Jessica Anderson from Howard Elementary, Christina Powell from Awbrey Park, and Heidi Kendall from O’Hara.

The “Pledge” at Howard Elementary.

Awbrey Park students display their flags on their desks.

All of the first graders from O’Hara displaying their flags.

HERE COMES THE SUN

Spaghetti Dinner, Live Auction, Dessert Auction, and Silent Online Auction were fun and successful.

The Eugene Downtown Lions Club held a Spaghetti Dinner and Dessert Auction on Wednesday, April 26th. The event was well attended by Club members, their families, and friends. the menu was salad, spaghetti with red or white sauce, and bread. Special thanks to the Delta Gamma Sorority members who served the meal to the hungry attendees. Following the meal Super Auctioneer Sid Voorhees auctioned off selected items that earned $657.00, then 13 delicious deserts that club members provided were auctioned off one at a time and brought in a total of $ 1,143.00 and ticket sales totaled $1,194.00. The Club’s Silent Online Auction “Here Comes the Sun” was promoted at the dinner since it had already begun Monday, April 24th, and continued through Saturday, April 29th. There were many items up for bids that were put together as packages. There weren’t as many online bidders as expected this time around, but they did help us raise $ 4,893.00. The profits from the online auction, the live auction, and the dessert auction go into the Club’s Activity fund, while the Spaghetti Dinner ticket sales profits go to the Club’s Administrative Fund.

Special thanks go to the Auction Sponsors, Lions, and other volunteers who assisted with the spaghetti dinner, the Lions and friends who donated items for the auction, and of course all of those who bid on the auction items.

You can donate online by clicking here.

Would you like to receive emails for our events? Just email us at eugenedowntownlions@gmail.com with your name, address, and email. We will be happy to add you to our list.

Heartfelt House

Heartfelt House, the patient family guest house on the PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend campus, provides a tranquil, no-cost "home away from home" for out-of-town families while their loved ones are being cared for at Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend or University District.

The Eugene Downtown Lions donated towards the building of the Heartfelt House and continue to support the guests with monthly donations to the pantry, library, or other specific needs. We provide funds for larger items through the EDLC's Elaine Gear Memorial Fund. We also have members that volunteer regularly.

We recently held our Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Heartfelt House. It was a beautifully decorated venue that added a festive touch to the event. The kitchen was every pancake maker's dream! Our thanks to Lion Robin Yozzo, the Heartfelt House Director, for making it happen.

Scholarships

Each year we provide three $1000.00 scholarships to Lane Community College students that are enrolled in a health-related program. Lane Community College selects the recipients. One of those scholarships is the EDLC's Faye Bowers Memorial Scholarship. It was originally funded by Lion Don Bowers in memory of his wife and continues to be funded by the family.

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.