HOUSTON LADY LIONS CLUB RAISES $12K IN FIRST EVENT
HOUSTON (Dec. 9) - Houston Lady Lions collected two large bins of food for the Houston Food Bank as part of its holiday benefit. The Lady Lions met at Fellini's Cafe and gathered 260 pounds of non-perishable items which were donated to the Houston Food bank.
Pink Ribbons Project shows its gratitude
A lot of firsts for new community-service organization
HOUSTON (Nov. 2)–Surpassing an ambitious fundraising goal in its first ever event, Houston Lady Lions Club marked its official launch into the Houston community with a high tea. Nearly 100 heard Lions Clubs’ officials and representatives from three organizations the club supports, and raised $12,000 in a silent auction, a high-octane live auction, and a raffle.
Houston’s Pink Ribbon's Project, National Federation of the Blind of Texas, and Daddy's Deployed will split proceeds raised at the event.
The newest club in Lions District -2S2, Houston Lady Lions is the first ladies club to be formed in the Houston area and district in the 97-year history of Lions Clubs International, Chris Moorman, District Governor, reminded listeners.
“This is an achievement the Houston Lady Lions can take pride in,” Moorman said.
In accepting the club’s charter, newly installed president, Jayne Edison, said she is excited about the future. “The synergy of these amazing women to fund and serve our projects is truly unbelievable,” Edison said. I am honored to lead such a group of high energy and service oriented ladies.
“You will hear the roar of the pride in Houston,” Edison said. She is CEO of Office Furniture Innovations (OFI) in Houston and was recognized as Woman Business Owner of the year by the Houston chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) in 2010. The Lady Lions has formed a strategic alliance with NAWBO.
The club was organized with 29 charter members on June 20 and the Oct. 18 “Hats & High Tea” served as a unique event combining a required charter event—with a swearing in and installation ceremony—and fundraising. By the time of the Oct. 18 tea, the club added 10 new members, and at least two more joined at the tea.
Moorman announced at the installation it was the largest charter class he has ever witnessed in the district.
Keynote speaker Beverly Stebbins, a Past International Director of Lions Club International and member of the Arlington Texas Lions Club, noted the enthusiasm and creativity of Houston Lady Lions and said she appreciates “these service minded Houston businesswomen (who) have decided to use Lionism as their vehicle to contribute to the community.”
“This is a 21st century Lions Club which will honor the traditions of Lions’ motto, ‘We Serve,’ while creating new paths and traditions as they continue to grow and serve,” Stebbins said.
Houston Lady Lions are designating 100 percent of the proceeds of ticket sales—at $40 per ticket—and any money made through fundraising activities at the tea, to go towards its projects, setting the pace for “serving.”
“Thank you to all of our sponsors who gave to unselfishly to help us fund our three projects,” Edison said.
Other speakers included Daddy’s Deployed CEO Bridget Platt; Pink Ribbons Project Cartiay McCoy, and Kimberly Flores, representing the National Federation of the Blind of Texas.
The location and much of the set-up at Houston Design Center was provided by Club President Jayne Edison and her business partner John Hannigan of Innovate. Generous members literally “passed the hat” for some items, while others provided serviceable tea items. Lee Garcia of Tea in Texas Magazine, lent a tea service for 10 tables. Melissa and Belinda Hannigan donated tea cups and saucers to be used in all events. Del Frisco's Steakhouse provided some tablecloths and items.
Food and drinks for the tea were donated by Roland's Swiss Pastry & Bakery, Casetta Catering, Denny's Restaurants, Chick-fil-A, Zardeneta Insurance, Westech Inspection, Inc., Tea Forte, Bless LaGrone and Keisha Beasley. Intro LLC donated flags and other items. Nicholas Earth Printing printed a 28-page commemorative program and directory. Sarah’s Florist and Lexis Florist donated flowers.
Susan St. Germain, silent auction chairwoman, noted the quality of the items given for the silent auction and raffle—ranging from holiday decorations, to children’s toys, gift baskets, and professional services.
John Hannigan live-auctioned high price items—including an office make over worth at least $5,000 from Innovate, a weekend at the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, and cruises donated by Impac Petroleum and Cruise One Vacation Specialists. A ladies favorite was personal training by “Kimo Show.”
In an Oct. 25 meeting Lady Lions board of directors voted to disburse the $12,000 raised in $4,000 grants each to: Pink Ribbons Project for mammograms; The National Federation of the Blind of Texas for two $2,000 scholarships for blind collegians at Houston area colleges; and to Daddy’s Deployed LLC for 100 books to children of military parents deploying—with a focus on Texas families.
Lions Clubs International is world-renown for its emphasis on eyeglass collections, and vision checks, but more recently has expanded service opportunities to its 13.5 million members to include partnerships with other autonomous organizations to provide disaster relief, feeding the hungry, and education initiatives.
The ladies organization joins a recent surge of women into what has been a male-dominated organization, according to Art Drouin, a new club development consultant for Lions Clubs International. He is a Guiding Lion for the new club, which is sponsored by Houston Royal Oaks Lions Club.
Others serving on the HLL board of directors are Joni B. Hannigan, first vice president for communications; Liza Garza, secretary; Olga Garza, treasurer; Erin Applegate, membership director; Magally Zardeneta, assistant secretary; and Ruth Westra, assistant treasurer. Bless Lagrone, a member of the Royal Oaks Lions Club, is a Guiding Lion.
The club meets at OFI at the Houston Design Center at 7026 Old Katy Road, Suite 270 and is currently planning a community service event for December. Beginning January 8, the club will meet in the evenings at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at a location to be announced, with the board of directors meeting once a month.
For more information about Houston Lady Lions, and for announcements please go online to https://www.facebook.com/HoustonLadyLions1The organization also has a Twitter account, is organized with a Houston Lady Lions website with International Lion's Clubs, and has a Google Plus page..jpg)
For more information about this release, or about Houston Lady Lions, please call Joni B. Hannigan, 904-534-9425 or email me at jonibh@gmail.com. High-res photos are available.
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For information on membership in Houston Lady Lions, please contact membership director Erin Applegate at erin@impacfleet.org.
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.
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