Lions Celebrate Holidays

The Reston Lions Club celebrated the holidays last night at the Hidden Creek Country club with dinner and merriment.  Long tradition has been that the club use the Holiday party as a sort of year's end reflection.  We look back on the highlights of the year.  The Brewfest parking fundraisers; the service events at the Temple and across the community; Election of new officers, new twists on the old fundraisers using Mulch and Citrus sales; new and exciting meeting place changes;
Come What may, the Reston Lions continue to reinvent themselves and to try new things.  Happy Holidays to all, may your days be blessed, and may the year that comes be just as exciting as this one.
Happy Holidays!   Reston Lions Club

The Annual Florida Citrus Sale 2013 is Here!

	The Annual Florida Citrus Sale is Here! Help support Lions Club Charities with a purchase of delicious, healthy fruit. This Just In!!!!   ORDERING HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 22ND!!!!  GET Those ORDERS IN TODAY!!!! 100% of our profit is used to help others, no funds are used for administrative costs. Interested in Lions?  Check out www.lionsclubs.org Online Order Form: Citrus Order Page PDF Form(Email to Reston.Lions.Citrus@Gmail.com): Citrus Sale Flyer PDF Where the Money Goes Where the Money Goes PDF Pick-up Location:  Lake Anne Plaza  11401 North Shore Drive, Reston, VA     Pick-up Hours: Friday, December 6 – 4:00PM to 7:00PM   Saturday, December 7 – 8:00AM to 6:00PM   Sunday, December 8 – 10AM to 3PM

Blog Reaches 2000 Views!

When it comes to Blogging, nothing is quite as exciting as having people view the content you have written.  We've reached 2000 total Page Views to date.  Hooray!  What's your favorite post?  Leave a comment below.  Thanks to all our readers!

Screenings at Buddist Temple

The Reston Lions screened 45 people with District 24-A Sight and Hearing Van at the Works Sunday location at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation over the weekend.  Works Sunday is a volunteer event in the Reston-Herndon community that involves over 20 service projects run on the same day.  The partner organizations are usually Faith-based organizations in the community.  
"Works Sunday is an annual day of service in Northern Virginia, including many activities in the Reston and Herndon communities. Each year, over the past 15 years, people of many faiths -- Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs and others -- have worked side by side to celebrate the values that unite us, while addressing important social issues like hunger, homelessness, and special needs of those less fortunate. As we work toward a more compassionate community, we get to know each other as brothers and sisters." -  http://www.workssunday.org/

Here is Lion Don Leas explaining our process to the new Herndon Leo Club President; Sudjal.

Lions to host a Sight And Hearing Clinic at Buddhist Temple in Reston

The Reston Lions will be hosting a Sight and Hearing van event at the Taiwan Tzu Chi Foudation USA Buddhist Temple in Reston, VA as part of the Reston's Working Sunday event on Sunday August 18th from 1pm-5pm.  Anyone needing to have screenings done are welcome to show up during our hours for Free screenings and assisted referrals. 
"This is one of many of these types of events we plan to offer throughout the area this year.  Our focus and mission this year in the club is on Service and as 'Knights of the Blind' Sight and Hearing Van events are an easy place to start," Club President, Don Leas.  Any interested Lions that would also like to show up for service are welcome.  Any community members that would like to volunteer for the event are encouraged to contact Don Leas.
The address of the Temple where screenings will be held is
Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foudation USA
Buddhist Temple
1516 Moorings Dr
Reston, VA 20190
Hours: 1pm to 5pm Aug 18th, 2013

Reston Lions to Walk to End Alzheimer's

The Reston Lions are participating in the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer’s disease, the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States today. 

We are calling for anybody who is interested in Walking or raising money to register as a Reston Lion or donating money for our team.  Our Team goal is $2250 so we have some work to do.  By joining our team, you can help end this epidemic and show your support for the more than 5 million Americans living with the disease.  To join the team, simply visit our Team Alzheimers Page at Reston Lions Walk to End Alzheimer's Page

Walk Information:

 2013 Walk to End Alzheimer's Northern Virginia and Candlelight Rally
When:  Sunday, September 29, 2013 
Check-in: 5:00 pm | Walk: 6:00 pm | Candlelight Rally: 7:00 pm 

 Where: Reston Town Center 11900 Market Street, Reston, VA 20190

http://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=3838&pg=entry

The Alzheimer's Association is the world’s largest voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research, and the funds we raise will go directly toward supporting their efforts.

The end of Alzheimer’s starts with you.

Lions Assisted Medical Project, Wise, VA, July 2013.

35 Lions from District 24-A participated in the Lions Assisted Medical Project on July 18th through 20th in Wise Virginia.  The details of the event are massive, involving 1396 volunteers 3738 meals served to volunteers, and 2292 residents from Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina.

Wise, Virginia sits nestled deep in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains not far from the borders.

Lions 1st  Vice District Governor, Jim Ryan serving meals to volunteers at the Lions Assisted Medical Project in July 2013

Every July, this small town plays host to a sea of humanity when the Remote Area Medical project arrives at the local Fairgrounds.  The Lions of Virginia answered the call to for the 14^th year to serve on the 18^th through the 20^th of July.  This year’s event brought together 1396 volunteers, including over 125 Lions members.  Together, they provided essential medical services to close to 2292 residents from the surrounding area.  Lions from the Lions Assisted Medical Project(L.A.M.P) worked registration, provided vision and hearing screenings, handed out prescription eyeglasses, handed out school supplies, served 3738 meals to the volunteers, and escorted patients from one area of care to the next. 

The Lions Assisted Medical Project is a Lions of Virginia project term coined in 2005 for all medical projects in which Lions Club members are involved.  After our involvement in the Remote Area Medical Expeditions that have taken place over the last 14 years, L.A.M.P. has branched out the services beyond Remote Area Medical, meriting a unique moniker. 

Remote Area Medical began offering medical and health services in 1985 and has been expanding its operations with the help of eager veterinary and medical volunteers for years.  The mission of Remote Area Medical “dedicated to serving mankind by providing free health care, dental care, eye care, veterinary services, and technical and educational assistance to people in remote areas of the United States and the world.” (ramusa.org/about/mission.htm)  Thanks to the Assistance of the Lions of Virginia and the L.A.M.P., the Expedition at Wise, VA has been able to grow quite large offering care to over two thousand local residents annually from Virginia and the surrounding states of Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, and North Carolina. 

Two days into the event, Michael Ryan, Governor of District 24-A had this to say. “Vision Screening at the Lions Assisted Medical Project (L.A.M.P.)at the Rural Area Medicine (R.A.M.) Wise County event, the Lions have screened over [hundreds of] patients for Sight and Hearing Disorders, referring most for Eye Exams and Glasses, and we still have a half day to go. Besides eye and hearing care, the people of SW Virginia, Eastern Tennessee and Eastern Kentucky, get their annual medical and dental care. It is an eye opening experience!”  and “We have Lions doing Pediavision, working in registration, dispensing Rx Glasses, helping in the Dental area, handing out school supplies, and running patients from one area to the next. They all are doing a great job!”

Officially, the total number of eye exams and screenings administered by Lions was 814 with 699 eyeglasses made and issued.  The diligent Lions serving the 3738 meals to the volunteers worked over 800 hours preparing meals and servers spent another 300 hours serving.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Many of my patients are truly surprised by their diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.  Unless your blood glucose levels are very high you will not have symptoms, which is why about one-third of individuals with diabetes are undiagnosed.
The most common symptoms of diabetes are: frequent urination, extreme thirst, and blurred vision. But before those symptoms occur individuals may notice that they don't have much energy, they are tired all of the time, especially after a heavy meal.  Are you falling asleep in the chair immediately after eating lunch or dinner?  Have you noticed that cuts or sores take a long time to heal?  These are other symptoms of diabetes than many individuals totally ignore, they think because they are getting older they don't have much energy and cuts do take longer to heal.
Diabetes is a subtle disease, our bodies try very hard to keep our blood glucose levels at normal levels but eventually the demand for more and more insulin is overwhelms our pancreases  and suddenly blood glucose levels begin to rise.
Today we actually are actively trying to identify individuals who have pre-diabetes, with the hope that if we can have these individuals make a few simple lifestyle changes we can actually prevent them from developing diabetes.  Diabetes is diagnosed by a either a fasting blood glucose level or a hemoglobin A1C test that determines an average blood glucose over the past three months.  A fasting blood glucose level should be less than 100 mg/dl, pre-diabetes diagnosis is 100-125 mg/dl, and a diabetes diagnosis is 126 mg/dl and above.  If your doctor does an A1C test (this test measures the sugar-coating on your red blood cells, these cells live for 3 months so it provides a 3 month average).  A normal A1C level is below 5.7 the diagnosis of pre-diabetes  is made at 5.7-6.4 % and diabetes at 6.5%.
If you are overweight, have a family history of diabetes, have high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol, are of American Indian, African-American, Hispanic, or Pacific Islander descent you should be screened yearly.
We can prevent diabetes by losing 5-7% of our body weight, we don't have to lose a lot to make a difference and to walk for 30 minutes 5 days a week.
So I encourage you to begin a physical activity program today. You do not have to become an athlete, just start moving - march in place, sit in the chair and march while watching tv commercials, dance, garden, do water aerobics.  Find something you enjoy.  Physical activity will not only prevent diabetes, it will  reduce your risk of heart disease, it will prevent depression, it will improve your energy levels, and it will make you feel better.
Keep Healthy,
Kathy Gold

Great Site Available for Hearing Aid Purchase information

A comment came in not too long ago for the post we did on http://restonlions.blogspot.com/2013/07/hearing-aids-may-become-more-affordable.html that we did not provide very much information about conventional hearing aids.  There are way more things to consider about listening assistance devices than you can possibly guess, and more than can be covered by this blog.  Thankfully, there are entire sites devoted to the study and accurate portrayal of Hearing Aides and how to make the best decision when getting one. 

Lions Come Through For Parking at Brewfest in Ashburn

On Saturday, July 13 8 intrepid Reston Lions braved the intense Virginia summer heat to raise money parking cars at a Brewfest in Ashburn. We raised $500 for our charity fund by filling in last minute for some folks who pooped out....Carpe Diem Reston Lions!

Lion Mike is showing us how it's done, with a smile!

Hearing Aids may become More Affordable Thanks to New Devices

According to NPR Morning Edition, the Company Sound World Solutions has developed an off-the-shelf Hearing Aid solution that is easy-to-use and program, and vastly less expensive that traditional Hearing Aids.  Using standard Bluetooth technology, the new hearing aids can be easily programmed using any paired Smart Phone device.  Programming allows you to optimize the volume and clarity of the device for your use.
This is great news for the more than 300 million people worldwide that suffer from some form of hearing loss.  At $300 versus up to $4000, estimates are that this new CS10 device is quickly going to be a cost-sensitive solution for patients that have minimal health care coverage for hearing aids and for anyone that has an aversion to multiple visits to the doctors to have a costly traditional hearing aid adjusted and programmed correctly.  Learn more about this wonderful device at http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/07/02/197639536/to-make-hearing-aids-affordable-firm-turns-on-bluetooth

Installation Dinner Promises a Dedication to Service

Vice District Governor of District 24 A, installed the new officers of the Reston Lions club at its installation banquet on June 26 at the Hidden Creek Country Club in Reston.

The Reston Lions Past President, Sue Beffel gave a heart-felt speech to round out the year.  Some highlights were some new activities and fund-raisers, a great new place to meet, as well as a great new place to hold our Citrus Sale in the winter thanks to supportive members and an especially great board!

It will be a very interesting year.  We celebrate Andy's 37 years as Secretary before stepping down and handing the mantel off to Anne Ryan.  In addition, Lion Jim Ryan, has been elected 1st Vice District Governor and will be working very closely with district and state leadership to encourage and foster Lionism throughout Virginia in the next 2 years as he transitions from Vice Governor to Governor.  Don Leas has been elected President of our Reston Lions Club for this upcoming year.  He promises to bring about an increase in the number of service events that we are holding as a club and to "keep the club busy."  We say, "Bring it on!!!!" and hope to continue to fulfill the true Lions Motto of "We Serve" this year as well.

With the changing of the gaurd we also plan to conduct our official club meeting days one night a month, allowing us much more flexibility to perform some service activities and meet as a board for planning purposes without the distractions of a full meeting.  Rest assured, we will still be getting together to chat as a club and spend time together.  

As we head into this year, we look forward.  We still have opening for the elected office of Membership Chairman and Vice President.  These are very important roles and we are actively seeking members that would be willing to fill them as productive contributors.  Email Don Leas if you are interested.

Front row above from left is Sue Beffel, Past President: Don Leas, President: Jack Gazlay, Treasurer: and Anne Ryan, Secretary. Back row from left is Gerry Washburn, Director: Jim Ryan, District Vice President: Ed Geiger, Director: Joe Hart, Tail Twister: Mike Moseley, Lion Tamer and Steve Reber, Director.(Photo Credit: Elvira Washburn)

The Reston Lions Club supports sight and hearing programs and more in the Reston and Herndon areas.

Reston Lions Set to Install new Officers Wednesday Night

The following elected officers will take over the reigns of the club starting Wednesday Night, June 26th, amid a bit of turmoil over a still-to-be-named Vice President and Membership Chair of the club.  The Installation Dinner this Wednesday is a traditional ceremony of "handing the torch" from the past officers to the new officers.  Some highlights of these ceremonies include speeches from the Immediate Past President of the club and the incoming New President regarding the "State of the Club."  This gives the club a chance to see reminisce on what has past along with project forward what is planned for the year to come.  More Blog entries to come after the Installation dinner at the end of the week.

 President -- Don Leas

1st Vice President -- TBD

Secretary -- Anne Ryan

Tail Twister --  Joe Hart

Lion Tamer -- Mike Moseley

Treasurer -- Jack Gazlay 

Membership chair --  TBD

Directors (two year position) -- Steve Reber and Ed Geiger first year;  Joe Rohrbaugh and Gerry Washburn second year.

New Surgery Gives Hope to the Deaf

I saw this story on NBC and thought that it was worth sharing with our community of Lions and supporters. It is absolutely revolutionary, the possibilities of this surgery.  Enjoy!  http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news/52269091/#52269091

Are you at risk for type 2 diabetes?

I hope over the next few months to provide a better understanding about diabetes and how it may be prevented.
So are you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes?

• Are you over 40?  
• Are you overweight or obese (here is a link to a BMI calculator so you can determine if you are at risk - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/BMI/bmicalc.htm )
• Do you have family history of diabetes?  
• Are you from a high risk ethnic group - African American, Pacific Islander, American Indian, Hispanic-American, or Asian-American?
•  Do you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol?  
• Did you deliver a baby over 9 pounds or have gestational diabetes?  

In a very large research study done in the early 2000's, it was found that 60% of individuals who had risk factors for diabetes who lost 5-7%  of their body weight and walked for 30 minutes 5 days a week reduced their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by almost 60%.  I think this is a message that is important to get out to the public - physical activity, simple walking can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.  How many of you are walking or doing some form of physical activity every day?  We are always so busy and although we always seem to find time to eat we don't seem to make as much of an effort to engage in some form of physical activity.
So I challenge you to begin a walking program, or engage in some form of physical activity.  Water walking, water aerobics are great activities for this time of the year.  Enjoy the pleasant weather and walk early in the day or in the evening. Make an appointment to engage in some form of physical activity at least 5 days a week if you want to lose weight and 3 days a week if you want to maintain your weight.  Take advantage of the bike trail or neighborhood parks and pools.

Stay Healthy,

Lion Kathy Gold

Blog Will Add Health-Related Tips

Attention Readers.  The Reston Lions Club will soon benefit from posts by the Director of Outreach and Education for the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation.  Kathy Gold's contributions will include articles on leading a healthy lifestyle, as well as tips for Prevention of health problems.

District 24A Lions Implement Pedia Vision for Screening

The Pedia Vision screening system is now accessible to Lions in the Northern Virginia area for use in performing Vision Screenings.  This new technology will revolutionize screening people for vision problems.  The following information regarding Pedia Vision taken directly from the District 24-D website (Thanks to our neighbor lions District!!).  We are hoping to leverage this new technology starting as soon as possible to be able to check whether children are suffering from some common refractive errors as well as perform gaze analysis of the patient.  Thanks to it's technology, screenings for these errors takes as little as 5 seconds.

Ryan Sports New Title and Role

Congratulations to Jim Ryan on being elected as 1st Vice District Governor for District 24-A during the Virginia State Lions Convention held this past weekend.  Reston Lions Club Members Anne Ryan, and Sue Beffel (Club President) were in attendance for the event.  See Lions Of VA on Facebook for pictures.

1st Vice District Governor Jim Ryan performing Training

Reston Lions Participates in Eyeglass Recycling

As you may know, Lions are "Knights of the Blind" but did you know we also help those with other visual impairments?  The Reston Lions Club collected 1000 pairs of eyeglasses from over a dozen locations locally and recently took a group of Lion volunteers to the NOVA Eyeglass Recycling Center where these glasses will be processed, marked, and sorted by prescription to be sent to those in need.  More information about eyeglass recycling at http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/our-work/sight-programs/eyeglass-recycling/index.php or our site at http://restonlions.org/eyeglass/eyeglass_collection.htm
Thanks to our volunteers and to all who have donated their old eyeglasses to the worthy cause of providing the less-fortunate with the gift of Sight!

Relay For Life includes Vision Screening

The Reston Lions Club braved the drizzle to screen over 38 people, mostly students, at the annual Relay for Life held at South Lakes High School this past weekend.  The Relay for Life is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.  To date, the local Relay for Life statistics sit thus:  54 teams and 744 participants have raised $193,648.45 with Reston Lions Club's Team raising $255 for the cause.  Thanks to all participants who served and for our contributors.  Pictures at https://www.facebook.com/Restonlionsclub?ref=hl
 

Reston Lions Honored by County for Peace Poster Contest Support

On May 14th the Reston Lions Club was recognized at an awards presentation by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for its sponsorship of the Lions Clubs International Peace Poster Contest.  The club's 2012-13 local contest winner, Lily Dunlap, 8th grader at Herndon MS, was also presented with an award.   Larry Dilworth, 2nd Vice President, accepted the award for the Lions at the ceremony.  

 

Saturday Activities Abound for RLC

Saturday was a HUGE day for the club- full of activities! As usual, we were at the Farmer's market doing our usual gig; diabetes awareness, glasses recycling, and raising funds for our charity fund by selling local peanuts. 
In the afternoon we helped our Leo club screen 78 people for vision/sight and blood pressure. We identified a few potentially serious problems...so rewarding!
 A special shout out to Lion Don, our VP, who not only set up the Farner's Market table, but stayed until the bitter end at the Sight and Hearing event.  Thanks go out to all who made this past weekend's activities a success!

Pop Can Tab Collections Accepted at Lions Booth

Did you know that for years, the Reston Lions Club has informally collected Pop Can Tabs to support the
work that is done every day by organizations like Shriner's International and the Ronald McDonald House?  If you are unconvinced of the benefits of this small service, maybe you are unfamiliar with what these small tabs can do.  Read more below to find out or you can just start to participate today.  You can collect tabs on your own in a jar or sandwich bag.  Bring these tabs to the Lake Anne Farmers Market and drop them at the Lions Club Booth all summer long.  We'll collect them and make sure they get to a good charity.

Reston Lions Will Go Greek

We are Pleased to announce that our Summer home for Wednesday Nights is going to be celebrated
Kalypsos Sports Tavern 
1617 Washington Plaza N
Reston, VA 20190
United States
 http://kalypsossportstavern.com/welcome

Dining Area of Kalypso's Sports Tavern, Reston, VA( photo courtesy of www.kalypsosportstavern.com)

This wonderful eating establishment in Lake Anne Village Center offers wonderful Italian and Greek fare at very great prices.  Its also situated in the heart of Reston's most well-known Village Centers, thanks to it's summer Farmers Market every Saturday morning.  They have agreed to accommodate us in their dining area.  
Our Next Meeting will be on July 3rd, 2013 and will follow same pattern of the 1st Wednesday of the month all summer long.  Please join us at our new home starting at 7pm.  Come as you are and order from the menu.  RSVP to Don Leas.  The meeting starts at 7:30pm.  Please Join Us!

Farmers Market Starts Saturday May 4th, 2013!

Come see us at the Reston Farmers Market May Through November!

 

Lake Anne Plaza, Reston, VA.

Saturdays 7:30 to Noon

Details:  We will be handing out balloons, taking membership information and raising funds to serve our community.  We will be fundraising through the sale of the following items.

Ice-cold bottled water ($1/20oz bottle)
Virginia Whitley Brand Peanuts
12 oz. cans for $7.50 (Honey Roasted, Chesapeake, Unsalted and Salted)
24 oz. cans for $12.50 (Honey Roasted, Chesapeake, Unsalted and Salted)
32 oz. cans for $15 (unsalted and salted only)

More info on Reston Farmers Market here.

Lions Say Goodbye to Mama Lucia's

After a year of meals and good times at Mama Lucia's Italian Restaurant in Northpoint Shopping Center, we are being forced to move meeting places once again.  Please watch for news on where our new, exciting meeting place is going to be.  This transitional period offers us a chance to investigate better formats and better meeting places.  If you have any ideas or leads regarding a meeting place, please email them to restonlionsclub@gmail.com so we can benefit from your connections.

Reston Lions Clean Up!

Our Reston Lions are no strangers to work.  This past Saturday, our members got together and cleaned the side of the Sunset Hills Road in Reston for the benefit of all Restonians and Travelers alike.  A lasting thanks goes out our dedicated volunteers for their efforts!  See pictures of our event on Face book
Facebook Photo Album

Mulch Order extension through Today!!!

Orders can still be received until COB today, March 18th, 2013. and added to our delivery list.  (Orders have to be in excess of 10 Bags to be considered for free delivery but if you contact RestonLionsMulch@gmail.com, special case scenarios may be considered.  Thanks!

The Reston Lions Club is set up to deliver mulch to their loyal customers on March 23rd, 2013 this year, rain or shine.  All sale proceeds go to Reston Lions Charities, LLC, Non-Profit 501 (c)3 Charity.  We appreciate your business.

To order your quality Quail Ridge Double-Shredded Hardwood Mulch today, visit http://restonlions.org/mulch/mulch_order.htm

Lions to Start Collecting Box Tops and Labels for Dogwood Elementary

After the meeting on Wednesday, 3/13, we compiled a short list of simple things we can do to support Dogwood Elementary and their efforts to provide the best education possible to some of our highest-need community children.  We are going to organize the collection of Box Tops and Soup Labels as described below.  Also, below is a list of links to local grocery retailers that you should register your discount/club card to for earning points and money to support the school just by shopping where you already shop.  This should be relatively painless.  Questions, contact RestonLionsClub@gmail.com .
In addition, we are encouraging friends and family to collect Box Tops for Education (a Program run by General Mills).  Attached is a list of common products that contain Box tops, along with a link to the list of products that contain Labels for Education.  Essentially, you save the Box Top part of the packaging of an item (Cheerios Breakfast Cereal, for example).  Each Box Top is worth 10 cents when returned by the school.  Idea:  We collect the Box Tops for the school and they get money towards classroom materials etc.  It's a great program.  This won't cost anything but a few seconds before you recycle the box/Can etc.  Full Participating Product List

Labels for Education is a program run by Campbell's Soup although many other products have been added that are not just Soup.  Same premise for collecting them, just a different program and products.
More information on the Box Tops for Education program at http://www.boxtops4education.com/learn/WhyJoin.aspx
More information on Labels for Education at http://www.labelsforeducation.com/Earn-points/Participating-Products

Fundraising Opportunities - Grocery Store Programs

If you haven't already done so, a great source for fundraising for Dogwood Elementary would be to register your Target, Giant, Safeway, Harris Teeter cards, or Target credit cards so that a portion is donated to our school. You can designate/re-designate your cards following the instructions at the links below:

Giant Food - www.giantfood.com/aplus
Dogwood's School ID is 01982 at Giant

Safeway - https://secure.escrip.com/jsp/supporter/registration/step1.jsp
Dogwood's Group ID is 6496030 at Safeway

Harris Teeter - http://www.harristeeter.com/community/together_in_education/tie.aspx
Dogwood's Code is 5303 at Harris Teeter

Target Credit Cards - www.target.com.
Dogwood's Group ID is 103606 at Target

History and Challenges of Dogwood School Shared with Lions

Tamara Ballou, Interim Principal, and William Vardeman, Dogwood Elem. School came to the Lions Club meeting Wednesday night, 2,20 and discussed the history and challenges and accomplishments of the school where we have staged our Mulch sales for many years.  Dogwood Elementary is majority low-income, majority Hispanic and other second languages.  

Among it's challenges, Dogwood also was devastated by a fire in November of 2000. (See Article in the Washington Times.)  After a struggle to rebuild the school it still faced a perilous battle to re-invent itself.  It was rated as a failing school under “no child left behind” leading to many efforts to overcome this.  They have since been able to achieve significant successes, no longer seen as failing, with small classes (12:1 student-Teacher ratio) and challenging curriculum.  The road ahead is difficult.

While decisions still need to be made, the generosity the school has shown for so many years in sharing their parking lot as a staging area for our annual Mulch Sale Fundraiser and re-arranging week-end events to be able to help us out, we will be thinking as a club about ways to support them.  As a club who prides ourselves on Service, we can put our collective heads together and see if we can provide this well-deserved community school some assistance. 

Reston Plans 2013 Mulch Selling Fundraiser Extravaganza

The Reston Lions Club is set up to deliver mulch to their loyal customers on March 23rd, 2013 this year, rain or shine.  All sale proceeds go to Reston Lions Charities, LLC, Non-Profit 501 (c)3 Charity.  We appreciate your business.

To order your quality Quail Ridge Double-Shredded Hardwood Mulch today, visit http://restonlions.org/mulch/mulch_order.htm
Orders must be received and processed by March 15th, 2013 COB to insure delivery.  Orders have to be in excess of 10 Bags to be considered for free delivery.  Thanks!

Club to Entertain Local Principal

The Reston Lions Club will have Tamara Ballou, Interim Principal of Dogwood Elementary School, in to visit and speak with the club about community involvement on Wednesday night, 2/20 at 7pm.  We hope anyone interested in hearing what the school is planning for community activities and how our club can participate is encouraged to attend.  If you just Curious, come also and enjoy the fellowship.  More information on Dogwood Elementary School, visit http://www.fcps.edu/DogwoodES/ 
 

James A Bland Music Scholarship Competition Winners Announced

Reston James A Bland Music Scholarship Competition concludes for another year with an amazing display of musical talent. Over a dozen local youth musicians battled it out at the 2013 Reston Bland Competition that took place on Jan 29th at 7:30pm. Winners of the Vocal Group were Alexis Michelle Gruber, first Place; William Meinert, second place and Nikole James, third place.
Winners in the instrument group were Yechan Lim, first place; Tatiana Liu, second place and Sarah Slate, third place.

from left is Steve Reber, Co-Chairman, William David Meinert, South Lakes High School; Tatiana Michelle Liu, Potomac Falls High School; Alexis Michelle Gruber, Dominion High School; Nikole Rae James, Potomac Falls High School; Sarah Erica Slate, Langston Hughes Middle School; Yechan Lim, Centreville High School and Jack Gazlay, Co-Chairman.

Congratulations to all participants and especially to all the winning vocal and instrumentalists!.

Local Reston Peace Poster Contest Winner Announced

Lily Dunlap, an eighth grade student at

Herndon Middle School, won a competition

sponsored by the Reston Lions Club.

Dunlap’s poster was among more than

350,000 entries submitted worldwide in the

annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest.

Lions Clubs International is sponsoring

the program to emphasize the importance

of world peace to young people everywhere.

Lions Rallies Support for Special Olympics

The Reston Lions Showed their Support on 1/26 for the 2013 Special Olympics Virginia’s FanQuest at the McLean High School! We excitedly supported the rematch between two FAN-tastic Special Olympics basketball teams on Saturday evening, January 26. This time, the Cougars from Oakton High School traveled to the McLean Highlanders’ territory! 

Bland Contest around the corner!

The Reston Bland Contest will be held on Tuesday, January 29th at 7:30 pm in the Reston Community Center Theater at the Hunter Woods Shopping Center sponsored by the Reston Lions Club. The deadline for entries is January 31st.  Don't let the name fool you though.  This free to enter, and free to attend concert brings together some of the most talented musical Youth of all ages to compete.  Attend and see have a chance to see an example of what Lions Club does for the community.