Archive for category: Main Page

Project Linus

A second Blanketeering night for DeAnza Lions

If “happiness is a warm puppy”, 3 dozen little “puppies” (children in need) will be happy when they receive the blankets that were made with love and proudly donated to Project Linus by our group of thirteen.

On November 3^rd, 13 lions – old and new, spouses, family and friends – met at Lion Al and Barbara Knox’s home for an evening of peaceful joy. After a brief introduction to Project Linus and their mission (visit www.projectlinus.org), the lions armed themselves with the necessary tools and were let loose. It did not take long before the pile of cute fleece cuts was transformed into blankets, 27 blankets to be precise.

As the original goal of 35 blankets was not quite achieved by wrap time, many attendees asked to be able to take some pre-cut blankets home to be completed within a week.

It was a very warm and happy way to spend time working and playing together. Thanks so much, Lions, for considering this a worthy cause and for trusting me with the assignment.  Thanks to Project Linus volunteers Sharon and Cathy. And thanks to Blanketeers Mort, Kathy, Dagi, Amy, Bernie, Barbara, Nancy, John, Veronica, Rhonda, Steve and Ellen.

Respectfully submitted to you all with joy, Lion Leslye

A roaring “Thank You” to the DeAnza Lions, their families and friends who dined out at Holder’s Country Inn on Monday 23^rd of May, 2011, for our new  fundraiser. The club made $263 for the community fund.

Some people arrived early for breakfast, stayed and played bridge. Some friends and Lions came for breakfast and dinner to support our club. We had a total of over 50 people for dinner seated around two large tables in the back where they could stay longer and socialize.

Senior friends of Ann Ratner from Chai House Retirement Home came for brunch, thus helping the DeAnza Lions. They said they had a great time and wanted to know when the next fundraiser would be.

Lion Steve and his wife Ellen had a nice conversation with some 20 women of a Church Group, who were having breakfast. One member of that group expressed an interest in joining the DeAnza Lions club. They also supported our fundraiser that day.

Thanks again to all those who supported DeAnza Lions Club in our effort to raise money for our community projects.

Report submitted by Lion Steve and Ellen Ratner

Monta Vista High School Leo Club Advisor Andrew Goldenkranz was presented the Lions International Outstanding Service Award by Lion Kent Vincent on June 3, 2011. In his remarks, Lion Kent thanked Andrew for his leadership in guiding the Leo club through its very successful charter year. The club currently has over 30 members and was instrumental to the success of several De Anza Lions  fundraising and charity events held during the year. Andrew is a popular biology teacher at Monta Vista High School.  

Report by Kent Vincent

On Saturday March 19^th, 2011, the DeAnza Lions celebrated their 42^nd Club anniversary with an Irish theme. Master of Ceremonies Lion John Smith entertained all with Irish humor as only an Englishman can do. 52 attendees representing Lions, Monta Vista Leos and friends of Lions attended the charter night party, which is not a fund raiser but a social get together of our club.

Several unique things happened that night: for the first time fellow members were invited with their kids, and for the first time we had Leos present – as times change we must change. Our club has parents with small children and allowing children makes it much easier for them to attend Lions Club functions. Two young couples who just had a new baby made it a point to show up at the party to present their little ones. Our new Leo club members agreed to take care of the small children; which made it a win-win situation for all concerned and will create a new way of running charter night functions in the future.

Lion Jim Goodheart, the president of the San Jose Scales of Justice Lions Club and our guest of honor, gave an entertaining, informative talk before presenting awards to club members.

Report by Lion Ray Lancon

They all came: 485+ people showed up at the 15^th Annual Charity Crab Feed, organized by the Cupertino DeAnza Lions and the Sunnyvale Sunrise Rotarians. Prominent guests included the IPDG Marlene Duffin and her husband, as well as Lion Bob Ferber, candidate for 1VDG for our district.

As last year, the event took place at the Community Hall of St. Williams Parish in Los Altos. Despite the continued economic crisis, tickets for the first seating were sold out, while there were tickets left over for the second seating. 

As in previous years, the Fish Market restaurant delivered ocean-fresh crab, 1700 pounds of it, which was scrubbed, cleaned and iced by some 10 intrepid Lions, 5 Rotarians and a few friends of theirs the day before.

Beer, music, and about $ 18,000 net were donated to the cause, which helps keeping a healthy profit for both clubs, to be distributed to our dedicated charities and causes

After a few hours of smooth setup, the guests began to stream in, taking seats at the beautifully decorated tables, while listening to the Thrown Together Jazz Band which was in great form. Especially our young guests enjoyed dancing to the happy sounds.

The kitchen was humming with numerous volunteers, preparing salads, cooking spaghetti, and baking garlic bread, while outside the hall, other volunteers, especially from the Fish Market, cooked the crab to perfection. Our servers this year were students of Monta Vista High, many part of our LEO club. They were eager to help not only with waiting the tables, but also selling raffle tickets and cleaning up. Over 20 raffle prizes went to some happy clients in the first seating, while almost all silent auction items found a new owner.

After redecorating tables and a small break for the musicians, the volunteers enjoyed a slice or two of Pizza, before another crowd of almost 200 people showed up. Again, our young helpers waited on the tables, sold raffle tickets, and keys to the lock box. We thank the winners of the lockbox, who donated a total of $ 1200.00

A roaring thank you goes to all sponsors and volunteers of this event. Many of them already signed up for next year, including the volunteers of the Fish Market and the Band. The proceeds will be split with the Rotary Club, as usual, and will be distributed to our charitable causes. For more see our website www.deanzalions.org