Eugene Downtown Lions Club - Lions e-Clubhouse

The Eugene Downtown Lions sponsor many events throughout the year, some to raise funds for various community projects and some to provide fellowship and fun.

The Annual Awards and Installation Banquet has a Familiar Ring to It

President-Elect Lion Jim Origliosso is following in the footsteps of Lion President Jimmy Koch and continuing the informal outdoor gathering for the Club’s Awards and Installation Banquet at The Arc Park in Springfield. Continuing our 100th Anniversary Celebration it’s only fitting to hold the banquet at the park where our Legacy Centennial Project is helping to build portions of the Arc Park project that will give all children regardless of disabilities a place to have fun. The club gave $26,000 for our part in this massive undertaking. Members were given a tour of the new attractions at the Park including the sandbox which is part of the Club’s project.

Lion Jeff Musgrove was the Master of Ceremonies and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Lion Norma Barbisan gave the invocation.

Next were the awards presentations. Lion Jimmy 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.

Lion President Jimmy Koch was ready to present awards when Tail Twister Lion Judith Grosenick announced that Lion Jimmy’s fines for forgetting to call members Lions at our meetings totaled $100. Still, she said the fines dropped to $46 due to the restrictions of the club's bylaws.

Starting off the awards: Foundation Honor Roll Awards went to Lions Kathy Hinson, Robin Yozzo, Connie Fehlman, Liz Roberts, Jim Arscott, Bruce Curtis, and Ed Mc Mahon.

Spirit of Service Awards were presented to Lions: Ted Fox and Judith Grosenick.

President’s Appreciation Awards went to Lions: Len Calvert and Tim Chuey.

Outstanding Service Stars went to Lions: Karen Norton and Jim Origliosso.

Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Lions Chuck Blanchard and Susan Pfanner.

The Robbie Award, the highest award given by the EDT Lions Club, went to Lion Yvonne Hamson who could not attend the gathering.

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

The “Lion Cub of the Year” award went to Lion Beth Sheehan and Lion Teri Yerton was presented with the “Lion of the Year” Award.

The Officer and Directors Installation was performed by District Governor Lynn Coon. Lion President-Elect Jim Origliosso was installed as the new President. The rest of the Officers are Lions: 1st Vice President Liz Roberts, 2nd Vice President Ted Fox, 3rd Vice President Sandi Patton, Immediate Past President Jimmy Koch, Secretary Karen Norton, Treasurer Kathy Hinson Tail Twister Jim Koch, Lion Tamer Ed McMahon.

Of course, as usual, the food, provided by Smoking Gingers, was excellent and the special cake with the Club’s Centennial logo on it was delicious.

Lion, now Immediate Past President, Jimmy gave his final remarks and turned over the reins of the Presidency to Lion President Jim Origliosso who addressed the members explaining that his plan for the future of the Club is the balance of community service, fellowship, and financial sustainability.

Congratulations to Lion President Jim Origliosso for planning and executing a perfect outdoor event for the annual banquet.

Lion Tim Chuey

Publicity Chairman

EDLC

Another Successful Pancake Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus

Eugene Downtown Lions Club’s 14th annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus was held Saturday, December 9th, from 8 am ’til noon at the Heartfelt House 116 St. Joseph Place, Springfield. Cost, 9 dollars for adults, 5 dollars for kids, 3 and under ate free. Breakfast consisted of pancakes, sausage, eggs, cocoa, and coffee. Holiday treats and baked goods were available for sale, and six kid's bikes with helmets were raffled off along with a wagon and a mountain of toys.

A head count shows 177 people attended the breakfast. The attending families had fun. Besides the meal, there were things for the youngsters to do. There was a coloring contest, cookie decorating, ornament making, and a Balloon Maker. The Bicycle winners are: Quentin Wahi, Kali Little, Lion Lynn Coon, Lion Dale Bachman, Miss Lane County Teen Lena Larecy’s Mother Angela Larecy, and Lisa Vos. The Sims family won the Red Rider Wagon. An airplane ride over the Eugene-Springfield area donated by Lion pilot Jim Origliosso was won by Lion Bob Rust.

Santa and Mrs. Claus were big hits with the kids and their parents as they took family pictures. The youngest children were especially cute meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus. In between the bicycle drawings tickets were drawn for the mountain of toys.

Now we get down to the financial outcome. We had cash sponsorships totaling $1,560 plus many in-kind sponsors. Ticket sales totaled $1,400 with raffle ticket sales equaling $480 along with $220 in donations. The raffle ticket sales profit was donated to Heartfelt House. The rest of the profits go to the Club’s Activity Fund.

The volunteers and Heartfelt House residents ate for free. Special thanks to all of our sponsors and in-kind sponsors: Bricks and Mini Figs, Radar Toys, Bi-Mart, McDonald's, Lochmeade, Ye Old Pancake House, Murphy Plywood, OCCU, National Business Solutions, Parties To Go, and The Original Pancake House. Thanks, of course, to all the individuals and families who attended the event and our volunteers.

13 January 2024

Tim Chuey

Publicity Chairman

Eugene Downtown

Lions Club

Christmas Parades for Lions to Remember

Members of the Eugene Downtown Lions Club joined with the Springfield Lions Club to participate in the annual Springfield Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 2nd. They worked together to decorate the special Lions float. Their Christmas spirit was enough to volunteer for the parade regardless of the weather. A sign was placed on the back of the float promoting the Eugene Downtown Lions Club Annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa and Mrs Claus. Lions handed out “LIONS BUCKS” for a $1.00 discount on a Santa Breakfast ticket. Thanks to EDT President Lion Jimmy for his pictures.

Lion Karen Norton took pictures of the Junction City Christmas Light Parade that same night. Lions also participated in that event by decorating a beautiful float.

Thanks to Loin President Jimmy for the Springfield Christmas Parade pictures and to Lion Past President Karen Norton for the Junction City Light Parade Pictures.

19 January 2024

Lion Tim Chuey

Publicity Chairman

Eugene Downtown

Lions Club

A Perfect Day for Lions “To Serve” Our Visually Impaired Neighbors

After days of triple-digit high temperatures and dangerous air quality due to local wildfire smoke, the fires and weather cooperated bringing more comfortable conditions for the Eugene Downtown Lions Club’s Annual Pat and Annie Picnic for the visually impaired. The picnic is in conjunction with the Oregon Commission for the Blind. The picnic’s guests numbered 66 and guests who needed transportation were driven to the park and a return trip home by 8 Lions volunteers. Guide and Service dogs were also in attendance.

Emerald Park is the perfect place to have the picnic each year because the pavilions have plenty of table space and shade needed for the event. Lion President Jimmy Koch welcomed everyone. Lion Kat Chinn’s family maned the Hot Dog table. The food table contained Fried Chicken, Macaroni Salad, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Fresh Vegetables, Fresh Fruit, Cookies, Water, and Soda.

The guests were assisted in filling up their plates and returning to their table by 4 volunteers from the Eugene Active 20/30 Club, and 20 members of the Eugene Downtown Lions Club. Thanks to everyone involved in this great event and a special thanks to Lion Past President Sharon Newton for organizing the picnic as skillfully as she has done in the past. Many of the guests said they really look forward to this picnic each summer because for many it is the only time they are able to get together and have an enjoyable time. We’re all looking forward to next year’s Pat and Annie Picnic.