Hastings Rivertown Lions Club
Current Service Projects
Eyeglasses for Needy Children
The club, when we have the funds, work with Eyenique Vision to provide a pair of eyeglasses for a needy elementary child. This request came from a nurse in the school district. The parents must provide a prescription information to Eyenique Vision. Again, funds must be available to do this.
KidSight Lions District 5M6
A new service project was started a couple of years ago. Last year, the District Lions 5M6, was able to purchases Eye Screenimg Equipment. Lions were trained. Clubs were encouraged to screen 6 month to 6 year old children attending Pre-Schools in their community. During the Eye Screen, a Lion will focus the equipment towards the child's eyes and take a picture. The results of the test is printed out. Each child get a their test results that will be given to their parents. If the child does not pass the, the child will be given a letter to take to their parents about the screening. Parents are encouraged to take their child to their eye doctor for another eye check and possible eyeglasses. The club will contact the daycare companies, in the community to screen their chilren's eyes. The Miesville Lions Club will help our club during the screening.
Mid-Winter 5M6 Convention
Each year, District Lions 5M6 hosts a Mid-Winter Convention in January. Clubs are encouraged to send their delegates and club representatives to the convention. On Friday night, Lions clubs sponsor Hospitality Rooms. Only Registered Lions can attend. Also, that night, Lions 5M6 will honor those Lions who have passed away during the last 12 months. A slideshow is prepared showing a photo of the Lion and some statements about the Lions service in the club. On Satuday, delegates must register before attending special sesions, the President's Luncheon and Governor Dinner, and the Annual Business Meeting. Registered delegates will vote at the business meeting. On Sunday, the delegates attend the Secretary's Breakfast. The Peace Poster winner is introduced to the delegates. A guest speaker addresses delegates at each meal. The convention committee will provide a service project for delegates during the weekend.
Park Clean Up at Greten Park
The Hastings Park's Department has designated Greten Park as HRLC Park. The club is required to clean up the park three times a year. The club schedules these times in May, August, and in early October. The club has found that the nieghborhood does a great job of keeping their spark clean & attrractive. Our name is displayed on the park's sign. Lions has donated a bench, at the park, in honor of Lion Jane Lightbourn.
Paws in The Park Event
The last three years, the Hastings Parks Department has invited the club to grill and give away hot dogs and bottled water, at no charge, at the event. Ther event runs from 5:00 to 6:30. This year the club gave away around 160 hot dopgs. A Tip Jar is available for those who want to contribute. This year, 235 individuals came and walked arount the 23 vendor booths.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing at Cub
Each year, the Lions District and the Salvation Army plan to start off their Bell Ringing Campaign, in November, with Lions Club Members manning the kettles on a Saturday. Our club members work at both doors, at Cub, from 9:00 a.m to 6:00. p.m.
Senior Center August Volunteer Picnic
In August, the club is contacted to grill meat for their volunteer picnic.
State Fair - KidSight, Hearing and Vision Booths
Lions District 5M6 sets up booths for testing pre-school children at KidSight, handing out materials and signing up eye donors at the Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation, and handing out hearing aid information at the Minnesota Lions Hearing Foundation. Club members sign up to work shifts at a booth on one or more of the 12 days of the State Fair.
Tote For Hope Tub
The club fills a tub with emergency supplies (paper, pens, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, quarters, combs, etc.) that is given to the Hastings Fire Department. They keep two Tote for Hope Tubs at the department. After a house fire, where a family has been displaced, they offer the tub to the residents for their use until their insurance can kick in. Club members will purchase supplies and a member will fill and house the tubs until the Fire Department needs one. Items in the tub have been approved by the Red Cross.
Used Eyeglasses and Hearing Aides
Lions Club International encouraged local Lions Clubs to estabish collecting used eyeglasses and hearing aids in their community. The club has set donation sites in the community. They include Hastings Senior Center, Rivertown Eye Center, Allina Clinic, Hastings Family Service and others. Used eyeglasses are recylced and distributed to third world countries. Used hearing aides are given to the Minnesota Lions Hearing Foundation for recycling.
