Lions Club schedules golf outing, Candy Day
My column two weeks ago headlined "Mothers Club a big part of the community" prompted an e-mail from North Aurora Lions Club president Bob Strusz, who wanted to be sure that the Lions were noticed too.
Now is a great time to talk about Lions activities with a golf outing on the calendar for Sept. 18 and Lions Candy Day coming up in October.
The North Aurora club has existed since 1959 and this year's golf outing is the sixth annual. It will be at Bliss Creek Golf Course on Golfview and Hankes roads in Sugar Grove.
"Typically we get a pretty good turnout for the golf outing and we don't keep any of the profit -- we give it all back," said Strusz, who is also on the village board.
"All the money raised at the golf outing will go to our two $500 scholarships to Waubonsee Community College and North Aurora grade and middle schools."
The club is still accepting reservations and donations for the outing. Call Bill Middleton at (630) 251-8110 to reserve your tee time. The cost is $80 per person with cart. A steak dinner will take place after golf.
Lions International just celebrated its 90th anniversary at its convention this summer in Chicago.
Strusz said that the North Aurora club received an award for its district for donating 100 percent of its profits to the community.
The Lions partnered with the Mothers Club to operate the food and beer tents at North Aurora Days.
In the past year the North Aurora Lions have given $9,000 to the Veterans War Memorial, $2,700 for sound boards at Schneider Elementary School, $2,000 for the outdoor track at Hope Wall School, $1,000 to the Police Department's DARE program and $250 for eyeglasses for needy students, Strusz said.
"A lot of people don't know we get glasses for students," he said. "If a child can't afford glasses we will do that for them. All it takes is a form letter to the club."
Strusz said the Lions will be out in force again in October for Lions Candy Day.
Instead of fundraising on the street as in past years, the Lions will be at some stores in town.
"You'll see us at White Hen, Speedway and Walgreen's and anywhere we can get permission," he said.
Middle school students who are members of the affiliated Leo clubs will be collecting money and giving out candy too. The Leo clubs operate at Jewel and Herget middle schools, where the students run their own meetings and serve the community.
The Leos run the recycling program at the schools and helping at Candy Day will be their first project of the year.
The club is always looking for new members. The Lions meet at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at Messenger Public Library for a business meeting and meet on the fourth Tuesday for a dinner and speaker meeting usually at Gaslite Manor in Aurora.
"We have a good mix of older and younger members. We are looking for men and women who want to give back and get involved," he said.
For more information, call Strusz at (630) 907-9970.