Borrego Sun - Since 1949

West Shores Lions have been busy over the summer. We meet throughout the year and, typically, use the slower summer months to plan projects and events for the coming year. Here’s what we’re thinking about right now:

+ continuing to work in supporting various programs at the three local West Shores schools; if you look closely, you’ll see Lions at all sorts of school events from sporting matches to spelling bees to mentoring to concerts to gettin’ down at school carnivals and festivals. You may also find Lions donating time, money and care to local kids in need and helping on the upcoming, revitalized “Buddy System” initiative. We will continue our swap meet appearances with all monies raised going back to the community. NOTE if you’re doing fall cleaning and have usable goods that we can sell please contact WSLC President, Fred Guibault, 760-673-8493.

+ we will be sponsoring or co-sponsoring the following community events again this year:

-free flu shots and food handler cards (October)

-Fiesta Days (October or early November)

-Annual Veteran’s Dinner (early December)

-POA Christmas Parade (Dec. 13)

+ and in conjunction with the schools, we are also sponsoring the Lions Club International Peace Poster Contest with Club entries being judged and submitted by early November. This year’s theme is “Share Peace.” The international winner of this contest receives a cash prize of $5,000 and a trip to the United Nations to receive the prize. LCI has held a non-voting seat at the UN since its inception in the 1940s!

+ AND, the California Speaker’s Contest in early February, 2016. This year’s theme is “Liberty and Justice for All . . . What Does That Mean to You?” The competition is stiff with the final prize winner receiving an aggregate prize of over US$21,000.00, some cash and some in scholarship funding. Hard work, but you can get it . . . you can get it if you try!

Of course, we continue to provide the VSP Vision certificates for children and adults; regrettably, we are plumb out of adult certs until mid-Autumn – but we will get them so keep us in mind. And, we’ll continue to spearhead the community-based effort to help homeless students.

You’ll find us other places as well – always willing to help if we can or try to find help if that’s appropriate. I guess that’s the point – talk can be cheap, action takes commitment and can be hard, especially when it’s so horridly hot and humid, but taking a stance and a step really matters. Please join us – all are welcome. Again, being a Lion just may be the hardest fun you’ve ever had. Call me with questions, please.

And last, but certainly not least, West Shores Lions Mary Rynearson, was recently elected to the position of Council Chair of 2015-16 Multiple District 4 (MD4) Council of Governors. That, in itself, sounds impressive, but hear this: the council represents all Lions Clubs in the State of California – from the Oregon border to our border with Mexico and all the eastern borders, as well. These governors represent over 20,000+ Lions, if memory serves. Congrats, Mary! We’re proud of you!

One more thing. Kindness and gratitude count and practice makes perfect.