OUR PROJECTS INCLUDE:
Dictionaries for Third Graders- Each fall the Veseli Area Lions provide new dictionaries to the third graders at the New Prague Public Schools & St. Wenceclaus Catholic Schools. The members of the Lions Clubs give a short presentation to the students to gain their interest in the use of their new tool. The students use these dictionaries for the duration of their elementary education.
4th Grade Forester's - Each April on Arbor Day the Veseli Area Lions provide trees to the fourth graders at the New Prague Public Schools & St. Wenceclaus Catholic Schools. The members of the Lions Clubs give a short presentation to the students to discuss the importance of planting trees and taking care of our environment. The students are encouraged to take the trees home & with their parents permission & guidance plant the trees.
Sponsor the ZJ's 5K Fun Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run - The Veseli Area Lions sponsor the annual ZJ's 5K Fun Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run during the Lonsdale Community Days Celebration in Lonsdale, MN held the 2nd Saturday of August each year @ 8:00 a.m. The money raised is donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the American Diabetes Assocation, National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI) & a local recipient. This years local recipient was Braden Flicek & his family.
Lions Write Off Essay Contest - The Veseli Area Lions Club along with Lions Club International sponsor an Essay contest each November. Students at New Prague High School are given the Essay Contest theme and are asked to submit an essay to be judged by the Veseli Area Lions Club members. 1st, 2nd & 3rd place cash prizes are awarded. The 1st place essay advances to the Zone Level for further judging & the 1st place Zone Winner advances to the District Level Competition. The District winner & their family are invited to the Lions 5M2 Midwinter Convention Brunch at the City Center Hotel in Mankato for an awards presentation.
Coordinate Visits from the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus - The Veseli Area Lions set up a time and place for The Easter Bunny and Santa Claus to make their annual appearances. Participating children get a goody bag, refreshments, kids games, holiday crafts & pictures with the Easter Bunny or Santa. Easter includes an outdoor Easter egg hunt. (weather permitting). Donations for the Lonsdale Area Food Shelf are collected at these holiday events.
Eyeglass collections - Eye glass donation boxes are available at local businesses where community members are encouraged to donate their old eyeglasses. The eyeglasses are then collected by the Veseli Area Lions members, combined with eye glasses from other Lions Clubs, and distributed to people in other areas of the world who cannot afford eyeglasses.