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On November 8^th, 2012, 35 blanketeers, amongst them Lions, spouses and friends of Lions, as well as 16 LEOs from Monta Vista and Lynbrook High schools gathered at the Odd Fellow Hall in Cupertino for a Linus Project Blanketeering evening. In less than 2 hours, almost 60 blankets were completed. They will be delivered to local children in need, as well as victims of hurricane “Sandy”. Please read Lion Leslye’s fun report (attached). For more information about Project LINUS, please visit their website (www.projectlinus.org).

Contributed by Lion Leslye Noone

                           

  

 

Hello there Fellow Lions,

               In case you haven’t heard, we held a Blanketeering Party for Project Linus last Thursday, November 8^th!

               I am thrilled to report that we had 35 people in attendance. It was totally unexpected; I was hoping for 18! You all took my gentle nagging to heart and I was amazed and touched by your willingness to give up an evening at home to come and join us.

               Our evening began when Odd Fellow and Lion Don Lang met John and me at the Lodge promptly at 6:30. I was thrilled to walk in to a meeting hall already set up for us and ready for use.  Lions and Leos began arriving very soon after 6:30. As they entered, everyone was invited to choose a fleece from the 57 pieces we had waiting for them. (We had 5 already completed before we began-one purchased by the Lions and already made as a sample, 2 purchased by the Lions and already made by the Ratners and 2 more purchased and made by the Ratners. Thanks, Ellen and Steve.) The Coordinator of San Jose’s Chapter of Project Linus, Sharon, began her power point presentation about Project Linus just a bit after 7:00 during which she told us that most blankets made at the Blanketeering Parties are given to local children in need but that at least some of our blankets would be sent back to children who are victims of Hurricane Sandy.  She then gave us directions about making blankets and how to proceed. And we did!

               Lion Carl was the first to complete a blanket and received a special Project Linus Blanketeering pin (that I hope he will wear to the next PM meeting, hint, hint) but there were several blankets completed not long after his. Lion–in-law Nancy worked quietly in her corner and completed 3 before she left. We had eleven Leos from Monta Vista High and five from Lynbrook High; they spread out, chatted and laughed as they completed one blanket after the other. At about 8 o’clock, Sharon gathered all of our Blanketeers together for pictures with their blankets and I hope to submit some that we took for display on our Lions website before Christmas.

               Then, believe it or not, all of a sudden, we were done at about 9:10! It only took about an hour and forty-five minutes for our Clubs to make almost 60 blankets. I was shocked and amazed and, I must admit, completely tickled down to my toes and back up again!! The blankets were bagged and placed in Sharon’s minivan, the meeting hall was cleaned and tidied up, and the Leos were safely picked-up to be delivered home before 9:30—a  terrific ending to a very warm and cozy evening.

               Special thanks to Lion Don for helping us get the Odd Fellows Lodge for our use. And more thanks to Lions Dagi and Amy for supplying the munchies. And more thanks to Lion Hubby John for smiling through my bossiness. Biggest and best thanks go to Sharon and all of the participants, now officially called Blanketeers, who came out on the 8^th for a good cause and for a warm evening of fun and community.

~~~~Respectfully submitted by Lion Leslye Noone

 

The first annual fundraiser “Sock Hop” was introduced by Lions Dan & Yvonne Fimby on Oct 13^th, 2012. Disguised as an early Halloween Party, the event took place at the Santa Clara Valley Blind Center, featuring a “Best Costume” contest, raffle, a fortune teller, trick-and-treat bags for kids as well as dance music “50’s style” with DJ Miguel Avalos. The story of the “Sock Hop” originated from the Fimby’s being owners of a classic car and remembering the “50’s” and the Dick Clark Show. With many club members from this time of bobby socks and 57 “Chevy’s”, it was a fun event with music from movies like “Grease”, and many rock-and-roll tunes.

The party mood was enhanced with very affordable hot dogs, hamburgers and, of course, “root beer floats”. The net proceeds of over $ 1,000 will go to the “One Sight Program”, something Lion Yvonne is very proud of. She said she wanted to do more to help meet all the budget costs associated with this great program for children and create awareness about how the Lions are improving the quality of people’s lives. About 60 adults and 20-25 kids, most in costumes and decorated in period outfits, attended and were part of enriching a child’s life with a small donation. In turn, they experienced an evening of laughing, dancing, good eats and lots of quality family time.Lion Yvonne definitely hopes to do it again next year, so be sure to gather you friends for a fun night of “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Great Balls of Fire”.

Thanks to “Debbie Lyn’s Costumes” for sponsoring the event.

Contributed by Lion Yvonne Fimby

On May 15th, Lions Bill Reed and Ray Lancon planted 5 pine trees at Via West Campus (formerly Camp Costanonan) near the protected garden area where the DeAnza Lions built a vegetable garden a few years ago. The pine trees are seedlings about 16″ long with 8″ root and 8″ tiny trunk so they are not easily visible that is why sticks were put up so no one will run over them. Expected growth is 3′ per year. Eventually the trees will help hold the soil and prevent soil erosion.

This action is in keeping with the objective of Lions International President Wing-Kun Tam to have millions of trees planted around the world during this Lion year 2011-2012 to demonstrate the strength of the Lions Clubs’ global network.

The DeAnza Lions thank associate Club Member Lion Jim Goodheart for his generosity in donating those trees

So far, 9,575,312 trees have been planted around the world.

Contributed by Lion Ray L

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