Lions Giving Back to Their Community
Lions Day at FMSC - 129 People Attending - 13 from St. Boni Lions - See Photo Below
In only 1 1/2 hours our Lions group packed 152 cases of food, or 32,832 meals for Haiti. Enough to feed 90 children for an entire year for a cost of 22 cents per meal for a total cost of only $7,223! We should all feel VERY proud of our efforts last night. Talked to Tom Rine at FMSC this morning and he said it was one of the largest groups ever to pack at the Chanhassen facility and that we were packing at an incredible rate equivalent to 118% normal good production packing rate! We should feel very proud at our efforts - WE SERVE!
Since their start in 1987, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) have now served over two billion meals to needy children around the world, and have an unbelievable successful delivery rate of 99.8%. Last year FMSC had one million volunteers donate their time helping pack one billion meals since 2007!
Click HERE for Video of Event
Click HERE to View JPEG Photos
Left to Right: Barbara Smith, Jerry Thurk, Brian Weinzierl, Michael Smith, Wayne Gregg, Jerry Mader, Pat Thurk, Fred Keller, Donn Thurk
Not Shown: Carolyn Brooks, Kathy Anderson, Mark Anderson, Braxten Mader
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Successful Food Drive at Mackenthun's
Click HERE to View More Photos
639 LBS of Food Collected - $735 Worth!
- $235 - In Store at Registor Donations
- $250 - Cash Donated
- $250 - St. Boni Lions Donation
Big thanks to Lion Wayne Gregg for leading event and Lions Carolyn Brooks, Jerry Thurk, Lee Stalke, Dona Ebert, Fred Keller, Jerry Mader, Carl and Lori Spalding and Jay Gregg for their time and dedication!
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St. Boni Memorial Park Dedications - By Lorrie Ham
Don Moonen and Jim Rudnicki were memorialized at a dedication ceremony at the newly designated St. Bonifacius Memorial Park on September 19. Families and friends of the two beloved community members were on hand for the dedications. Long-time St. Boni resident and Lions Club member Donn Thurk shared some thoughts about the two men.
Don Moonen was raised in Waconia but made St Boni his home and spent those years helping to make it a great place to live. He was a long-time, hardworking member of the St. Boni Lions, St. Boni Fire Department, and St. Boniface Catholic Church. He also volunteered for many other organizations and projects in St. Boni. He was always there when needed and usually the first to show up. He had a warm caring heart, a great sense of humor, a generous nature and he also loved a good time.
He knew how to be a good friend, loyal and dedicated. He made people laugh, helped them through the bad times and celebrated the good. One of the best things Moonen brought to St. Boni was his family. They worked side by side with him on many of the projects he was part of and supported both him and St. Boni to enrich the community.
“We are blessed to have them here and so grateful for the bench in his memory and blessed to have had Donnie in our lives,” said Thurk. Moonen died July 14, 2010 at the age of 68.
Don Moonen’s family is pictured with the Memorial Bench installed in his honor
St. Boni Fireman at the Don Moonen Memorial Bench to honor his service
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Jim Rudnicki was born and raised in Mound. He met Jeanne Thurk from St. Boni years ago, fell in love and married her. After he joined the service, the couple spent a few years away from home and then moved back to St. Boni to raise a family. Rudnicki was a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church, St. Boni Lions, St. Boni American Legion, St. Boni Sportsman’s Club, St. Boni City Council and other service organizations in town. He was always willing to help, one of the first to show up, and worked hard to make sure each project he participated in was successful.
His passions in life were his family, hunting and fishing. He could do anything he put his mind to. He passed on that tenacity and work ethic to his children and his grandchildren, and he always made sure they knew he loved them. His family members also supported his efforts and helped enrich the community. He was loyal to his friends and together they built a lifetime of memories and fun times with their families in town. He was passionate about getting a new community center built when the old one deteriorated and was sold. Because of his determination and tenacity that he was known for, he played a big role in the new city gathering place.
“We are fortunate and blessed that Jim made St. Boni his home and we are so happy to have this tree planted in his memory by his family,” said Thurk, who is Rudnicki’s brother-in-law. Rudnicki died October 21, 2014, at the age of 84.
Jim Rudnicki’s family poses with the Memorial Tree planted in his memory
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St. Bonifacius Memorial Park
The park is located just south of the St. Boni City Hall at the site of the former St. Boni Lions ballfield. The Lions are spearheading the park project, along with the American Legion, St. Boni Sportsman’s Club, the local Knights of Columbus and the Westonka Area Jaycees. The project also includes the refurbishing of the Don Logelin Park, which is located on the north end of city hall, as well as a patio area on the west side of the community room. Future plans include planting beds, a gazebo, rain garden and a memorial brick pathway.
Residents who are interested in memorializing a loved one at the park can contact Fred Keller at 612-419-5932.
Club Projects
In your community the St Boni Lions have constructed and help maintain the parks at Towns Edge Park, St Boniface Park, City Hall Park and the Lions Park.
Since 1977 the St Boni Lions have sponsored the Henry J Thurk Humanitarian scholarships awarding them to local high school graduates.
St Boni Lions have purchased, installed and help maintain the Christmas decorations in St Bonifacius.
On World Service Day St Boni Lions collect food for local food shelves.
St Boni Lions pick up trash and litter twice a year on a dedicated area on Minnesota Highway 7.
St Boni Lions are a yearly supporter of the St Bonifacius Spass-Tagen, St. Bonifacius Historical Society, St Boni - Minnetrista Crime Stopper Fund, Lions Camp Courage Halloween party, Lions Leader Dog, Lions Eye Bank, Lions SightFirst, Lions Diabetes Fund, Lions Drug Awareness and Lions Club International Fund.
Thanks to the support of our local area we can live up to our motto "We Serve".
Membership is open to any and all service minded men and women living in St Bonifacius and surrounding area.
The St Boni Lions Club is a working organization. Members are not assessed. We make our money the old fashioned way " We Work for it".
Please drop off your used eyeglasses and or hearing aids for distribution to those in need. Lions will recycle the glasses and hearing aids.
Drop Off At: Thurk Brothers
Gregg Floor Covering
Klein Bank
St. Boni Lions Accomplish These Service Projects by a Few . . .
FUND RAISERS $$$
Our Major Fund Raiser is Our Famous Christmas Tree Lot - All Types of Very Fresh Christmas Trees Are Available
at Superior Lawn and Landscape
4100 Steiner Road off Highway 7 St. Bonifacius
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Annually We Partake in an "All You Can Eat" Belgian Waffle Breakfast
Plus - Various Raffles Among Membership Provide Additional Funds $$
We Wish to Thank Those People That Support Our Fund Raisers so That We Are Able To Serve Those In Need
