Meetings

Club Projects

Town of Wright - Schoharie Valley Lions Club

see our website at
www.wrightschoharievalleylions.com

   1975                     50+ Years of Serving                 Present

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Charter Night Celebration
April 20

Origins of the Town of Wright/Schoharie Valley Lions Club

The Town of Wright Lions Club was Chartered on April 16, 1975, serving the towns of Wright and Schoharie and the Schoharie school district. The Middleburgh/Schoharie Valley Lions Club was Chartered on February 18, 1984, and later merged with the Gilboa-Conesville Lions Club. They served the towns of Middleburgh, Schoharie and Gilboa, and the Middleburgh and Gilboa-Conesville school districts.

Since the mid-1990’s, the two clubs partnered for joint projects which included fundraisers, installation ceremonies, district governor visitations and a “Join Hands Day” project which paired youths and adults for a community services project. Following the 1996 Schoharie County “flood of the century” the clubs worked together to obtain a $10,000 Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) grant and went door-to-door in all affected areas of the county delivering emergency relief vouchers.

 

In 2001, the two clubs officially merged to become the Town of Wright/Schoharie Valley Lions Club with a Charter date of April 16, 1975. The Lions club provides service to the towns of Wright, Schoharie and Middleburgh and surrounding areas. 

 

Gallupville Town Park & Pavilion
Tennis & Basketball Courts

Beginning in 1976 the Lions worked with the Town of Wright by raising funds and contributing labor to create a park from scratch in Gallupville. By the early 1980’s the park was firmly established and tennis and basketball courts were added and officially dedicated in 1984. In 1992 a Lions member (Lion James Lord) served on a citizens committee to obtain a grant from the Iroquois Gas Transmission System’s Land Preservation and Enhancement Program to construct a picnic pavilion. The Lions purchased and planted arborvitae around the perimeter of the park, purchased picnic tables and barbecue grills, and installed lighting in the pavilion and security lighting in the park. In 2004 the Lions sponsored a Boy Scout (Jacob Foisey, Troop 4, Schoharie) who constructed a toilet in the park as his Eagle project. A Lions member served as his project advisor.

The town provides mowing services and maintains the park grounds and the tennis and basketball courts. The Lions did an annual clean-up consisting of weed whacking, raking, mulching, planting and pruning, as well as repairing and painting the picnic tables and benches. The Lions also repair or replace netting, posts, backboards, hoops and fencing. Resealing the asphalt surfaces of the courts has now been taken over by the Town.

During Hurricane Irene in 2011, the tennis and basketball courts were extensively damaged. The damage to the town park was less and was restored by the town workers. The town and community managed to obtain a grant to repair the tennis and basketball courts. This was completed in time for the summer of 2013.

The Lions Club provided and installed a replacement tennis net. During the winter, the net and posts are stored in the bottle recycling building. In 2014 the Club purchased two heavy duty park seats for use at the tennis courts.

Hospital Equipment Loan Closet

The club works in cooperation with the Schoharie County Office for the Aging and maintains a supply of hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, commodes and adaptive equipment. These items are available for loan at no charge.

Veterans - World War II & Korean War Commemorative Community

The Town of Wright/Schoharie Valley Lions Club applied and was designated a WW II Commemorative Community in 1993, and a Korean War Commemorative Community in 2000. It is charged with honoring veterans and educating the public through presentations and educational activities. Activities have included an exhibit at the Old Stone Fort Museum Complex in Schoharie, the rededication of the WW II Monument in Schoharie, an air show featuring vintage aircraft, Veteran’s Day programs, and participation in the Memorial Day parade sponsored by the American Legion Schoharie Post 1210.

In 2007 and 2008 the Lions partnered with the Richmondville/Cobleskill Lions Club to sponsor a 1940s USO show at the Cobleskill Fairgrounds, in collaboration with the Hudson-Mohawk Chapter of the NY-Penn Military Vehicles Collectors Club.

Some Lions have volunteered as guardians in the Honor Flight Network to escort WW II veterans to visit the WW II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The Club participates with the Blue Star Mothers organization to pack donations for local troops serving overseas. Lions assist by packing gift boxes at Colonie Center and donating towards the mailing cost.

 

Disaster Relief

The club budgets for local emergency relief for individuals and widespread disasters and has raised funds for state, national and international disasters. In 1996, the club obtained a $10,000 Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) grant, and raised an additional $2,000 to assist people displaced by flooding in Schoharie County. Most of this assistance went to individuals directly impacted.

The Lions purchased CPR kits and emergency shelter signs for the three emergency shelters in Gallupville and arranged for CPR training for Lions and emergency shelter staff.

The Lions raised and donated funds to assist victims of other flooding in the North Country, the tornado in Mechanicville, the Tsunami in South East Asia, and also Hurricane Katrina.

The Club participated in the local relief efforts following Hurricane Irene and Lee in 2011. Funds were solicited from Lions International Foundation, the New York and Bermuda Lions Foundation, and Lions Clubs in both  District 20Y2 and other Districts. These amounted to over $13,000. Members helped to distribute this assistance to persons directly impacted by the floods. The club worked with Schoharie County Office for the Aging to identify and assist vulnerable residents. The Club served to direct outside organizations and other Lions club members to active groups working in the community.  The Galway Lions Club  delivered a trailer load of supplies to the Schoharie County Community Action Program (SCCAP) at Cobleskill , which was the lead coordinating agency following the disaster.  They also delivered clothing, beds and furniture to the Richie Rich Store in Richmondville, which distributed used items to anyone in need at no charge.

Over $8,000 worth of supplies and gift cards was provided in this way as well as volunteer labor. The Lions Club donated $1500 to the Schoharie Area Long Term Recovery (SALT) organization. Some Club members also volunteered to work with SALT on the rebuilding work in the community.

Gallupville Bottle Recycling and Salvation Army Collection Bin.

In 2004-05 the Lions and the town collaborated to replace the old recycling building, which is used by both the town and the Lions. The Lions worked on the construction with local contractors and students from BOCES, installed lighting and painted the building. The building serves as the site of the Lions recycling operation for deposit cans and bottles, their main fundraiser, and houses the Salvation Army clothing bin and is used for storage for some the Lions hospital loan-out equipment.

The Lions Club uses the  Schoharie County ARC organization to process the containers for redemption of the New York state container fees. This benefits both groups.

Pumpkin Raising Project with ARC Participation.

Starting in 2013, some club members have planted a crop of Halloween pumpkins on their  property.  These are harvested  with the assistance of clients of the Schoharie County ARC. A number of sales outlets for the crop have been set up and are supplied. Other sales outlets at the ARC and elsewhere are used to complete disposal of the crop. The net income from the sale is divided between the Club and the Schoharie County ARC.

The Lions Club Supports the Following Organizations

Lions Clubs International Foundation (Melvyn Jones Fellowships)

New York State and Bermuda Lions Foundation

Lions Eye Institute at Albany

Guiding Eyes for the Blind

Leader Dogs for the Blind

Freedom Guide Dog

Lions Eye Bank

Lions Hearing Conservation Society

Diabetes Awareness

Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York

Lions Camp Badger - Empire State Special Needs Experience, Inc.

Schoharie Area Long Term Inc.

Capital Region NY2 Blue Star Mothers

Community Service Projects

Red Cross Blood Drive

Daughters of the American Revolution Schoharie Beautification Project

Halloween Party with Gallupville Volunteer Fire Department & Auxiliary

& Schoharie Central School’s FHA

Glaucoma Screening with Schoharie Central School’s FBLA

Collaborated with the Town of Wright to Purchase and Install a Signboard to Post Community Events

Open House at the Recycling Center in Gallupville

 

The Lions Provide Local Support

Food Pantries

Gallupville Volunteer Fire Department

Middleburgh Emergency Volunteer Ambulance Corps (M.E.V.A.C.)

Middleburgh & Schoharie Libraries

Middleburgh & Schoharie Village Pools

Schoharie County Christmas Bureau

Schoharie County Community Action Program (SCCAP)

Scho-Wright Ambulance

Vroman’s Nose Preservation Society

Purchased CPR Kits and Shelter Signs for the three Emergency Shelters

 

Sight & Hearing

Established the Jacob Simons Memorial Fund for Sight & Hearing, 2005

Recycling for Sight – Eyeglasses Collection

Sponsorship of Eye Exams & Glasses

Sponsorship of Audiologist Exams & Hearing Aids (in cooperation with the Lions District 20Y2 Hearing Conservation Society)

Organized Community Glaucoma Screenings

Dissemination of Educational Literature

Public Service Newspaper Articles

 

Youth

Established the Bill Hudson Memorial Fund for Youth Programs, 2007

Assist in Maintaining the Town Park’s Tennis & Basketball Courts

Annual Scholarship Awards

(Schoharie & Middleburgh High School Students)

Sponsored local students to attend HOBY Leadership Seminar

(Schoharie & Middleburgh High School Students)

Partnered with Schoharie Central School FHA & FBLA

Halloween Sight Night Eyeglasses Collection

NYS & Bermuda Youth Band

(Sponsored students from Middleburgh & Gilboa Schools)

Lions Peace Poster Contest

(Sponsored at Schoharie, Middleburgh & Gilboa Schools)

Sponsoring of Eye Exams and Glasses

Referrals to the Lions Eye Institute

Sponsoring of Audiologist Exams & Hearing Aids

Constructed Wheelchair Ramp for Girl

Sponsored Boy Scout Eagle Project

Sponsoring of Student Projects

(e.g., National Sports Tournament, Junior Olympics, 4-H Competition,

Internships in Washington, DC)

“Join Hands Day”

Adults mentored youths for a Community Services Project

(Partnered with the Middleburgh Evangelical Lutheran Church Youth Group and the Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) to clean and refurbish the town park)

Annual Halloween Party

 

Fundraisers

 

Deposit Can & Bottle Redemption Program at Gallupville

Lions Mints sales throughout the county

Farm Fresh Pecan Sales

Chocolate Easter Bunnies

Sponsorship for Veterans Day Programs

Halloween Pumpkin Sales (in conjunction with Schoharie ARC)

Annual Auctions to Benefit Community Groups

Lions Light Bulb Sale

Rummage Sale

Coin Drop dedicated to Town Park Restoration

Food Vending at Community Events

Barber’s Farm Corn Maze

 

 

Parades, Floats & Contests

10 K Run

Middleburgh Bed Race

Middleburgh Fall Festival

Schoharie Maple Festival

Schoharie County Bicentennial Parade

Schoharie Memorial Day Parade

 

Participated in Lions Functions

NYS & Bermuda (MD20) Lions Conventions

Lions International Convention at Denver

Lions Day with the United Nations

Hearing Conservation Committee

District 20Y2 Cabinet Meetings and Training Programs

Zone Meetings

Joint Meetings with Other Lions Clubs

 

 

 

District Service, Honors & Awards

Melvin Jones Fellowship Awards

In 2004 the Lions bestowed the organization's highest honor to Charter Member Lloyd Wellman who has more than 50 years of service as a Lion. Mr. Wellman was instrumental in establishing the Town of Wright Lions Club in 1975.

Lloyd Wellman (2004)

David Ramsey (1989) - Past District Governor

 

Knights of the Blind

In 1925, Helen Keller attended the Lions Clubs International Convention and challenged Lions to become "Knights of the Blind in the crusade against darkness."

David Ramsey

Thomas Snowdon

 In memory of Peter DeBartolo

In memory of Donald Hotaling

In memory of Dale Bouck

In memory of Peter Weiss

 

Robert J. Uplinger Distinguished Service Award

Established in 1993, the award honors outstanding Lions and non-Lions or organizations who perform exemplary service to a Club, District or Community. The award cannot be purchased by an individual but must be presented as a recognition of the recipient's service.  

Peter DeBartolo, 1996

Robert Muller, 1996

Rosemary Christoff Dolan, 2001

Thomas Snowdon, 2014

Warren Thornton, 2015

David Ramsey, 2015

Georgia Van Dyke, 2015

 

Past District Governor’s of New York Leadership Achievement Award

Thomas Snowdon 2014

 

Lions District 20Y2 Lion of the Year Award

Robert Muller, 1995

Thomas Snowdon, 2006, 2012

 

Lion’s International Presidents Certificate of Appreciation

Thomas Snowdon, 2011-2, 2013-4

 

Community Service, Honors & Awards

 

SUNY Cobleskill’s Outstanding Community Service Award

Donald Hotaling, 1993

 

Business & Professional Notable Women of the Year Award

Georgia Van Dyke, 2005

Angeline “Angie” Fornoff, 2007

 

Members Participating as Officers in Lions District Service

 

District Governor

David Ramsey, 1999-2000

 

Region Chairperson

Rosemary Christoff Dolan

David Ramsey

 

Zone Chairperson

Rosemary Christoff Dolan

Robert Muller

Georgia Van Dyke

Thomas Snowdon

 

 

 

 

 

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