River Hills Lions Club

Many years ago, our Lions Club started a special service within our Community called Helping Hands. Under the direction of Bob Meeker, the group is still active.  If you need someone to sit and visit with your family member while you run errands, or need a ride to a doctor’s appointment, please call Bob Meeker at 803-831-1542.

This group has unselfishly helped many people over the years; and on a personal note,   Sandy and Dave Decker have used them numerous times for Sandy’s grandmother, Dave’s Mom and Sandy when they had to go to their various doctor’s appointments.  A fond memory was when Bill Heflin drove Sandy to her rehab appointments for several weeks when she was recuperating from a fall.  We will forever be grateful to them as they have been a life-saver for our family in many, many ways.

Please note that this wonderful service is only available for River Hills Residents. If you are interested in joining the group or need help, please give Bob a call.

Congratulations to two very deserving Lions, Pat Duffy and Ralph Byra for being named  New Lions of the Year.  New Lions have to be recent members of the Club and must be very active in the workings of the Club.

Pat who joined the Lions in 2005, was part of the Telephone Directory team, participated on the Golf Tournament Committee for the past two years, sold Christmas Trees and worked on the Benefit Drawing’s Silent Auction.  Ralph, who joined the Club in 2006 was also very active on the Telephone Directory team, was active on the Golf Tournament Committee and Christmas Tree sales.  Ralph stepped up this year to give Golf Chairman, Don Meyer help by playing a key role in the success of the Golf Tournament.

Again, congratulations to both of you on your commitment to the success of the River Hills Lions Club. www.riverhillslions.org

If you ask him what he is up to, R J Phillips replies that he’s just “kickin’ back”.  Don’t believe him!  Now that he is retired, his work and dedication to the River Hills Lions is unending.

Lion R J Phillips was presented the prestigious 2006-2007 Lion of the Year award at the June meeting.   R J has been an outstanding Lion since he joined the Club in 2002.  He has served the Lions on the River Hills Telephone Directory for numerous years as both Co-Chair and Sales Manager, has worked on our Christmas Tree sales project, Golf Tournament and Benefit Drawing.  R J has also held various positions on the Board including Third Vice President and Second Vice President, and has just been elected as this year’s Club President.  Congratulations R J, you are a true inspiration to all of us.  Thanks to your hard work and dedication, you have helped make the River Hills Lions Club the best Lions Club in South Carolina.  www.riverhillslions.org

Due to the generosity of the Lake Wylie Community and the efforts of the River Hills Lions, $112,000 was distributed.  Immediate Past President Lion Bob Daily thanked everyone at the June Lions meeting for their dedication and hard work with our various fundraisers - The Directory, Benefit Drawing, Golf Tournament, Christmas Tree Sales and the Juvenile Diabetes Walk to Cure Diabetes.  Many of the beneficiaries are from our local community – Bethel Volunteer Fire Department, Clover Area Assistance Center, Community Radio Lake Wylie, Dental CAAC, Educational Scholarships, Eyeglasses/Hearing Aids, Hospice Community Care, PATH (People Attempting To Help), Pilgrims Inn, River Hills/Lake Wylie EMS, Safe Passage, Stuff Unlimited, Teen Health Center, YMCA Camp Thunderbird and the York County Adult Day Care.

Other beneficiaries include various Lions Charities:  Camp Leo, Camp Lions Den, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Leader Dogs for the Blind, LifePoint, Inc.,

S.C. Lions Charitable Services, S.C. School for the Deaf and the Blind, Sight First II and the Storm Eye Institute.

If you would like to become part of this enthusiastic and dedicated group, please contact Lion Bill Burgin at 803-370-2828.  If you are a 501(c)3 charity and would like to become one of our beneficiaries, please contact Lion Bob Daily 803-831-8011 for details and to obtain an application.

To learn more about the River Hills Lions Club, please view our website at www.riverhillslions.org.

With the delivery of the Telephone Directory to the River Hills homes and Country Club members in late June, the Lions Club completed its’ largest fund raiser of the year. The net income was $56,000 up from $54,000 last year and $46,000 two years ago and $42,000 in 2003.

All of the net proceeds are used to provide assistance for needy causes in our community.

The production of the River Hills Telephone & EMail Directory starts in October each year and continues through the delivery the following June. A total of 71 Club members participated in various phases of this years project under the guidance of KEN SHAFFER, Chair, R.J. PHILLIPS, Sales Manager, BILL MARTIN, Census Mgr, and GENE BERRES, Prospecting Mgr.. The record keeping was handled by KEN SHAFFER, supported technically by J. COOPER ROSE.

The Team Captains were: BURT BURTON, BOB DAILY, DAVE DECKER, PAT DUFFY (assisted by PAT KIRBY), JACK HAHER, R.J. PHILLIPS, RUSS SNADER, and BOB TARTE.

Most of the directory income is derived from the sale of advertisements. To promote continued success of this annual fund raising project, the Lions Club encourages all residents to use the Yellow Pages to find sources of goods and services and to patronize these advertisers when possible. By advertising in our Directory, these firms have helped the Lions Club expand their community assistance programs.

It is particularly important that new advertisers feel that their ad is worth repeating next year.

The front cover of this years Directory was created by Cletus Hardy, of River Hills. On a striking blue background it shows a large arched window through whose panes we see photo shots of familiar community scenes. The cover is titled

A WINDOW ON OUR WORLD IN BEAUTIFUL RIVER HILLS

WITHOUT A DOUBT IT’S THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE

River Hills Lions Club June 21, 2007

Please be patient with us as we transition to a new website designed to better serve the community and club’s needs.

Questions, concerns, or comments may be sent to Ted Hessing.

The River Hills Lions Club has been busy in the first half of this Lions fiscal year (July 1 through December 31 2006. Let’s review the River Hills Lion’s Club activities, accomplishments and recognize those special volunteers who exemplify our motto “We Serve”.

The Program Committee of Chuck Beck, Fred Glickman and Dick Lewis continue to provide outstanding guest speakers. This included the Spratt/Norman Debate, WBT radio personality, Tara Servatious for the ladies at our Lioness/Lions Dinner and Governor Mark Sanford at our September breakfast.

Club members were presented the first documented Charitable Budget that included written description of each recipient’s justification. Thanks to Paul Boggs’ chaired committee of Gerry Orlick, Bonnie Hart and Neet Rounds with the approval of Club Board membership.

Benefit Drawing and Auctions-A record breaking charitable event to support the River Hills Emergency Squad. Thanks to the committee: Chairman Paul Boggs, Debbie Dagilus, Tom Stall, Jay Wolf, Ron Kraft, Pat Duffy, Jon Killian, Bob Daily, Barrett Smith, Bob Goddell, Tommy Houghton, R.J. Phillips. Special thanks for decorations by Cindy Kelly, Judy LoTruglio, Liz Mueller, Mary Ann Robinson, Marianne Lewis, Peggy Burley.

Community Service Project - River Hills Flu-Shot Administration at the church Life Center. Ben Rawls submitted the idea to the club and the River Hills Community Association. The following volunteers staffed the administration desk and assisted the recipients. Darla Lewis, Ed Mack, Bill Burgin, Pinky Funderburk, Jack Haher, Bob Hill, Bob Meeker, Pat Kirby, Russ Snader, Bob Ballard, Win Reese, Gene Stutz. We received many compliments from the community for a job well done.

USO Service Project- Arnie Bendet and family recruited Lions and local residents to assist at the USO Greeting Facility for service personnel and their families at the Charlotte-Douglas Airport.

The River Hills Lions Community Foundation received significant donations and future commitments in 2006 and reported they will plan on disbursing funds in 2007.  Thanks to the dedicated work of C.J. Nager, Dave Brown, Dona VanLeer, Ken Sanford, Bonnie Hart, Russ Leinbach, Paul Boggs, Posty Postweiler, Dick Lewis and Bruce Roberts.

Christmas Tree Sales- The team of Dagilus and Daily did it again. Under the leadership of captains Gene Stutz, Arnold Stone, Gus Sagos, Hank Gerald, R.J. Phillips and Bob Ballard we achieved another profitable and fun year at the YMCA “Horse Lot”. Thanks to over 78 volunteers and the beautiful weather, we sold out earlier than ever and made money on every tree and wreath. Special thanks to over 20 members who helped organize and set up the lot. Lion Iron Man Awards to Tom Dagilus and Lee Rowley for the post pounding duty.  R.J. Phillips, our man of all seasons, again provided many hours of work toward the success of this fund raising event. Many thanks to our own famous celebrity Lion Frank VanLeer who magically becomes Father Christmas for all the kids and grown ups too.  He alone makes this event one of our most worthwhile projects.

Holiday Party- Chairman: Donna Grove, Tom Grove Young McWhirter, Cary McWhirter, Neet Rounds. This committee has received many compliments for an enjoyable evening highlighted by the musical presentation of the children from the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind. The dinner and dancing music by the Tom and Judy Gray of Top Hat Entertainment rounded out the fun evening in style.

All of the hard work along with the fun times have resulted in the River Hills Lions Club living up to our motto “We Serve”. At the Holiday Party we presented financial assistance to the following organizations: South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind, YMCA-Camp Thunderbird, and the River Hills-Lake Wylie Emergency Squad. We also crowned Jane Chislett as our well deserved Un-Sung Hero.
 

I thank all of you for your outstanding support in 2006. It was a very good year! Now, we need to continue working hard and get off to a fast start in 2007. First up is the important Directory Sales Program. In February we start the Juvenile Diabetes Campaign under the direction of Sandy Decker and Dona Van Leer. Then comes the Golf Tournament start up meetings in March. We are very thankful to have the experienced Don Meyer already working on this. Next I ask your support for the River Hills Lions Board there is always room for improvements and new ideas.  Let us hear from you, the door is always open, please give us your suggestions.
Sincerely,  Bob Daily
 

Time to get in shape for the April 21st Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk (JDRF) This year is special because the River Hills Lions Club will be walking for Jake Cullen who was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes three years ago.

This is the 9th year that the River Hills Lions and Lioness have been participating in the walk for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Nine years ago, we started with just one club, the River Hills Lions Club, and over the years we have grown and formed a team called The Lions Strutters which is comprised of numerous North and South Carolina Lions and Lioness Clubs. To date, we have jointly raised over $117,000 for diabetes research.

This year we are doing something special. The River Hills Lions and Lioness will be sponsoring Jake Cullen, a local resident, who was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes three years ago. Our Clubs will be raising money and walking in honor of Jake. Jake and his family also have their own team, Jake’s Jaywalkers. Between the two teams, we expect to raise a lot of money!

Honoring Those Who Serve February 6, 2007
The River Hills Lions Club has always represented the best in community service. The club works hard together to raise dollars for local and state organizations in need. In the process the club never forgets the people who make the organization the success that it is. On February 6th the River Hills Lions Club recognized three individuals for their unique contributions to the Lions Club and the Community.
The first Appreciation Award went to Dr Benjamin C. Poole, Optometrist from Clover, SC. Dr Poole, though not a lion himself, has dedicated many years of service to the River Hills Lions Vision Program. This program provides eye examination and eye glasses to area residents, including students in the Cover school district, who are financially unable to afford eye care. Dr. Poole generously provides eye care under this program on a cost-only basis to the Lions Club and the River Hills Lions Club Vision Program then picks up the costs of this service as part of their community programs.

The second Appreciation Award went to Mark P. Vitner, Vice President and Senior Economist for Wachovia Corporation, for his friendship with and support of the River Hills Lions Club. Mr. Vitner is recognized in his field as an expert economist. He has a demanding schedule both with his duties at the bank and his many prestigious associations. Yet, every February for the last six years, Mr. Vitner attends the River Hills Lions Club dinner meeting and shares his insight into the national economic health. The members look forward to these meetings.

Finally the River Hills Lions Club recognized one of its own for quiet dedicated service, Lion Richard Postweiller “Posty”. Posty joined the club in August of 1998 and has been active in various committees and fund raisers ever since. He has been treasurer of the River Hills Lions Club for eight years and he supported earlier treasures with the club tax preparation. His service did not stop there, Posty was the treasure on the newly formed endowment program and he was chairman of the 55 Alive program for two years. As in many organization the treasurer is a hidden position that requires a lot of work and dedication. After eight years, Posty has resigned the position of Treasurer and will be succeeded by Tommy Haughton.

The River Hills Lions Club would like to publicly thank these individuals for their contribution to the Club and the Community.

Bob is currently an active member of the River Hills Community Church; A volunteer with the Clover Area Assistance Center and the York County American Red Cross; and a very active member of the River Hills Lions Club since 1989. Bob is the current President of the River Hills Lions Club and known affectionately by the members as “Mr. Lion”. In his spare time last year, bob spent 10 days away from home helping victims of hurricane Katrina as a volunteer with the York County American Red Cross.
Harold Breitman years ago described Bob….”whatever you do, do it your best…AND THEN SOME. This is what Bob exemplifies; he lives his life to the fullest, works hard, worships his God and tries to help his fellow man …AND THEN SOME.”