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SIGHT CONSERVATION AND BLIND PROJECTS: (More than $244,252)
In 1925, Helen Keller, the famous blind woman, addressed the Lions International
Convention. At that time she challenged the Lions to become
"Knights Of The Blind".
The Lions took up the challenge and adopted sight and blind projects as a major
objective of Lions Clubs everywhere. Their activities in this field have been
outstanding world-wide. The Kingston Lions are no exception. From the beginning,
they have been leaders in this important work. Below is a partial list of some
of the activities and concerns of the Kingston Lions Club:
- Purchased radios for the blind
- Furnished typewriters
- Provided white canes
- Gave Thanksgiving dinners
- Funded eye operations
- Gave Braille Scout handbooks
- Collected eye glasses
- Funds to Sight Conservation Society of NY, NY
- Gave Christmas parties
- Funds to Blind Commission
- Provided braille ash trays
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- Furnished braille typewriters
- Furnished braille books
- Furnished talking books
- Furnished braille watches sponsored SEEC Club
- Eye care - school nurses
- Amblyopia screening
- Established local eye bank
- Gave summer picnics
- Gave glaucoma screening
- Funds - Vacation Camp for blind
- Pre-school visual screening
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SEEC CLUB:
In 1966 the Kingston Lions Club, under the leadership of Karl Pitcock sponsored
and helped organize the SEEC Club of Kingston. He was assisted in this project
by Dorrey Hamma, herself a blind person. The name 'SEEC' is derived from the
first letters of the words that describe its objectives: Social - Economic -
Educational - Cultural. Its success has been outstanding. SEEC elects its
officers and holds monthly meetings at Kingston's VFW hall. Lions Club members
provide transportation for the meetings, act in an advisory capacity and are
there to help with refreshments etc. Each year the Kingston Lions sponsor a
picnic for SEEC at a local park. Lions cook and serve the food and help out
with the entertainment. Another annual event for SEEC is the Thanksgiving dinner
held at Temple Emanuel in Kingston. The Lions furnish the transportation,
provide and prepare the dinner under the leadership of Lion Lewis Kirschner
and his kitchen crew of Lions. Lions spouses are on hand to serve the meals.
Entertainment is provided. The local musicians union has provided music free of
charge for many years and most recently our own "Roar'n Pride" band
has stepped in. At Christmas time a party is also given for SEEC each year.
THE EYE BANK:
In 1954, under the leadership of Lion Bob Teetsel, the Kingston Lions embarked
upon a program of obtaining pledges from local citizens, donating their eyes,
after death, to be used in cornea transplant operations. The Lions have
professionals remove the eyes after death and see to it that they are delivered
to the Sight conservation Society of Northeastern New York where they are used
in cornea transplant operations. Past President Charles Schaller received a
service award from the Kingston Lions Club for his outstanding work in
delivering the donated eyes. When the Kingston Lions launched this project,
they promoted it with the slogan, "Let Your Eyes Live After You."
The success of the program has been phenomenal. In the beginning many Kingston Lions
thought that if, as a result of their efforts, just one person could see again,
the entire project would be a success. What is the value of eyesight? It is
worth more than all the money in the world. To date, over 150 pairs of eyes
have been provided. The City of Kingston and its Lions Club can indeed be proud.
CIVIC IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY BETTERMENT: (More than $93,351)
- Reactivated Chamber of Commerce
- Interchange Beautification
- Refurbished City Rec. Center
- Kingston Trash Baskets
- Kingston Lions Community Center
- Sprayed Kingston Trees
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- Sponsored Kingston Planning Board
- Kingston Area Community Chest
- Cerebral Palsy Clinic
- Children's Rehab. Center
- Harry Thayer Memorial Park
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KINGSTON AREA COMMUNITY CHEST:
In 1954, the Kingston Lions Club, along with three other service clubs founded
the Kingston Area Community Chest. The organizational committee consisted of
the four service club presidents. They were: N. Jansen Fowler, Lawrence Bogart,
William R. Stall, and Robert Stedge for Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, and Jr. Chamber
of Commerce respectively. The Community Chest later became the United Way of
Ulster County. The Kingston Lions Club has been the most generous of the
service clubs in funding it. The Club has also furnished manpower for the
organization, both in the office of President and Campaign Chairman. Lion
Richard R. Fredenberg served as Executive Director for many years.
CEREBRAL PALSY CLINIC:
Under the leadership of Lion Dr. Henry L. Bibby, the Ulster County Cerebral
Palsy Clinic was organized. The Kingston Lions Club furnished the seed money
($3,500) to get the clinic started and has furnished manpower and money over
the years. The center was re-named the CHILDREN'S REHABILITATION CENTER and,
more recently re-named the COMMUNITY REHABILITATION CENTER. The latest
contribution by the Kingston Lions to their building fund was $10,000.
THAYER PARK:
Lion William Lorenzen organized a project to create a picnic park on unused
County property adjacent to Thruway Exit #19 at Kingston. The park provided
picnic facilities especially for those who travel the Thruway and Route 28
and who may visit Kingston and make use of the Information Caboose nearby.
The Lions built the picnic tables, constructed the concrete platforms for
them and installed charcoal grills for cooking. While in operation, the park
was known as the Harry Thayer Memorial Park, in memory of a local radio
station owner and commentator.
BOYS & GIRLS COMMITTEE - (YOUTH OUTREACH): (More than $276,905)
- 4-H Clubs
- Junior Olympics
- High School Awards Dinners Kingston Boy's Club Christmas Parties
- Boy Scouts R.V. Council Juvenile Safety Field Day
- Hobbit House
- Special Olympics
- Kingston High School Choir
- Big Brothers & Big Sisters
- Project Climb
- Lions Junior Drum Corps
- YMCA Camperships
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- Youth Exchange Program
- Sponsor - Little League Teams New Century Baptist Ch. Nursery
- Children's Library
- Boy Scout Troop 63
- Auto Youth Safety Program
- Project Step
- ARC Camperships
- Kingston Children's Home
- Camp Badger
- Kingston Kinderland
- Sponsored Gene Autry Shows
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CHRISTMAS SHOPPING TRIPS:
In later years, the annual Christmas event has been the Christmas Shopping Trip.
Lions Club members would each be assigned a needy family and would take them on
a shopping trip. Each family was allocated a certain amount to spend. The parents
picked out the clothing for the children and some toys were also included. The
parents received some gifts as well. This project has been very successful.
THE CHILDREN'S LIBRARY:
Under the leadership of Lion Jack Reynolds, the Kingston Lions Club created and
financed the Children's Library in conjunction with the Kingston Area Library.
The Children's Library was housed in a dwelling which stood on property adjacent
to the Kingston Area Library on Broadway, Kingston. The Club paid for the
property and improvements as well as the furniture and fixtures to make it a
suitable library for children. (The Club spent over $7,500 on the project.)
The Kingston Lions can be proud of the success of this project.
SPEECH AND HEARING: (More than $15,373)
At the 1970 New York State Lions Convention in Lake Placid, N.Y., the Lions voted
to make the Ithaca Speech and Hearing Clinic the official New York State Lions
Project. Since that time, the Kingston Lions Club has been the leader in District
20-0 in support of the clinic. They have contributed many thousands of dollars in
financial support and also have sent work crews to Camp Badger to work on the
cabins and help in the Spring cleanup of the camp grounds. During the summer,
school children receive expert and professional treatment and rehabilitation for
speech and hearing defects. The facility has been named 'Camp Badger' in memory
of its founder, Edward T. Badger. The clinic is fully accredited by the New York
State Education Department.
KINGSTON LIONS SUPPORT MISC. FUND DRIVES: (More than $190,800)
- Kingston Hospital Bldg. Fund
- Benedictine Hosp. Bldg. Fund
- Cerebral Palsy Clinic
- Children's Library
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- YMCA Bldg. Fund
- Kingston Boy's Club
- Children's Rehabilitation Center
- Kingston Lions Community Center
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KINGSTON LIONS COMMUNITY CENTER:
A number of years ago the Club decided that it should have a major project that
it could call its own. In 1977, the former Children's Home property on East
Chester Street was offered for sale. The Kingston Lions purchased it with the
objective of establishing a Kingston Lions Community Center.
The property was vacant and unused for a number of years and was in a bad
state of repair. Vandals had done their usual damage, including the breaking of
a number of windows. The Lions set about the task of rehabilitating the property
with their funds, time, and talents. Much 'sweat-equity' by the members went into
the project. The objective was to provide not only a community center for various
activities, but also to provide leased office space to various social agencies on
a shared facility basis. The gymnasium was completely refurbished, making it one
of the finest such facilities in the City of Kingston. The schoolhouse wing of
the property was completely re-decorated, furnished and carpeted to provide three
large meeting rooms and offices along with upgraded rest rooms, shower and locker
rooms to service the gymnasium activities. The kitchen was remodeled and equipped
to handle food preparation for a large number of people. The gymnasium was
furnished with tables and chairs to seat 300 people for dinners and other activities.
The three-story original brick building was remodeled and rehabilitated to provide
three floors of office space and meeting rooms. The facility was named "THE
KINGSTON LIONS COMMUNITY CENTER". The Community Center was incorporated under
the laws of the State of New York and was operated by a Board of Directors, all
of whom were Lions. Office space was leased to several social agencies,
including the United Way of Ulster County. The Lions Club operated the property
for seven years until they finally sold it in 1984. Even though the Lions Club
spent some $125,000 on the project and gave much of their time and talent to
make it a success, it did not work out as planned. Due to high heating and
maintenance costs, the cash flow was not adequate to carry the project and the
Club had to dispose of the property. Funds derived from the sale of the Community
Center were, in turn, used to establish the KINGSTON LIONS CLUB FOUNDATION, INC.
That is covered in another part of this history.
DIABETES & HEALTH ACTIVITIES: (More than $263,667)
Health Activities have always been of high priority of the Kingston Lions.
The Club has given strong support to the following:
- American Red Cross
- Cancer Crusade
- American Cancer Society
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Diabetes Awareness Projects
- Family of Woodstock
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- Health screening projects
- Ulster Home Health Services
- U.C. TB & Health Assn.
- Catskill Region TB & Health Assn.
- Mid-Hudson Heart Assn.
- Ulster Co. Heart Assn.
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SCHOLARSHIPS: (More than $268,980)
A continuing project of the Kingston Lions Club has been college scholarships
for deserving High School graduates. The Club has also supported the Ulster
County Community College Work/Study Program. Every year the Club has presented
scholarships based on academic achievement. During the past two years, the Club
has changed its policy of basing scholarships on academic achievement alone
and instead has been granting scholarships to worthy students who have physical
disabilities. This has been a very successful approach.
KINGSTON LIONS CLUB EXPOSITIONS:
The principle money maker for the Club has been its annual Exposition and Home
Show known as "Kingston Area On Parade". The first six years were lean ones
for the young Club. Funds were scarce and there was little that the Lions could
do for the community without a dependable source of income. The idea of
producing an Exposition and Home Show developed into action in 1948. The first
Expo committee was chaired by Lion Larry MacAvery and Clifford V. Bunting was
Vice Chairman. Other committee members were: Ernest J. DuBois, Alwin 'Sarge'
Feuerstein, Schuyler C. Schultz, Jr., and William R. Stall. Expo '48 opened its
doors at Kingston's Municipal Auditorium on March 9th of that year to
enthusiastic crowds. There were 37 10 x 12 colorfully decorated booths with a
wide variety of displays. The price of admission was ten cents. New York City
entertainers were featured each night with a different vaudeville act. Door
prizes were a popular feature. Early in the planning stage, chairman MacAvery
was hospitalized with an operation. Vice Chairman Bunting did an outstanding
job of making the show a success. That first Expo netted a profit of $3,400.
(This would be equivalent to about $34,000 today.) Our Club had never had so
much money. The Kingston Lions Club had truly 'come of Age'! Success followed
success. The Expo became an annual event that was looked forward to by the
entire community. The rest is history. In recognition of the outstanding job he
did on the first Expo, Bunting was made chairman of Expo '49. That year the
show moved out to the NYS Armory on Manor Ave. It opened with almost 100 booths
and a large section of floor space featuring an auto show. The attendance
swelled to over 15,000. Experts in the business have told us that the average
life of this type of show is about three years.
After 57
successful Expos to date, the Kingston Lions must be doing something right.
For many years the Expo carried the name "Kingston Area On Parade".
Later, some of the shows developed "themes" that were used in
advertising. Some of the more popular ones were:
"Gracious Living" '61;
"Our Town" '70;
"Silver Jubilee" '72;
"Happiness Is" '74;
"Spirit of '76";
"Swing Into Spring" '80;
"Good Old Days" '82;
"Let Liberty Prevail" '85;
"Our 40th Year - It's A Giant Year" '87;
"Jump Into Spring" '88;
"Salute To The American Family" '89;
"Salute to America" '91.
Every year Kingstonians know that spring has arrived when they observe the
Kingston Lions dressed in their gold vests and caps at the various shopping
areas selling 'Advance Sale' tickets for Expo. These advance sales have been
very successful. Some years, more than 10,000 tickets have been sold before the
show opened. The Expo has traditionally filled the Armory gymnasium, drill shed
and food concession areas. Nightly entertainment is a continuing feature and
attendance figures usually exceed 15,000 persons. More recently the shows ran
nightly, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and during the day on Saturday. Many
exhibitors offer valuable prizes and the Club offers valuable door prizes.
In Expo '91, the grand prize was an automobile.
KINGSTON LIONS CLUB FOUNDATION INC.:
When the Kingston Lions Club sold the Community Center property, the funds
derived therefrom were used to establish the Kingston Lions Club Foundation,
Inc. as a separate corporation with a Board of nine Kingston Lions as Directors.
Any member of the Kingston Lions Club may be a member of the Foundation by
signing the Foundation roster.
The Kingston Lions Club Foundation, Inc. was incorporated April 3, 1986.
Shortly thereafter it received approval from the Internal Revenue Service to
operate as an approved 501 (c) (3) charitable foundation. All contributions
to the Kingston Lions Club Foundation are fully tax deductible.
The mission of the foundation is to disburse all investment income to
worthwhile charities each year. Grants on a 'matching fund' basis are used as
a catalyst to encourage new programs and directions or to provide equipment not
in the day-to-day budget of the beneficiary organization. Grants are not made
to support on-going programs.
The criteria for these grants are:
- Generally to organizations in Ulster County, New York
- Aid for the sight-impaired, persons with speech and hearing defects,
physically handicapped and other projects that Lions Clubs typically support.
- Grants cannot be made for day-to-day operating expenses, scholarships, or
to reduce debt.
- Grants will be made only to tax-exempt or not-for-profit organizations.
- Grants will be made only to organizations and projects that do not
discriminate on the grounds of race, sex, religion or nationality.
As of December 31, 1990, the Foundation has made a total of 22 grants for
a total of $21,350 for new programs and unbudgeted items for the following
worthy organizations - all on a 'matching fund' basis. Big Brothers & Big Sisters
- Children's Home Of Kingston - Children's Rehabilitation - Empire State Speech
and Hearing Clinic - Family of Woodstock - Gateway Community Industries -
Holly's Comets - Kingston Area Library - Kingston Boy's & Girl's Club -
Project Climb (Chambers School) - Rip Van Winkle Council Boy Scouts - Boy Scout
Troop 63 - Ulster Home Health Service - Ulster Performing Arts Center - United
Way of Ulster County - YMCA Of Kingston.
In addition to receiving some assistance from the fund-raising activities of
the Kingston Lions Club, the Foundation has received memorial contributions in
memory of many loved ones. The public is encouraged to remember the Kingston
Lions Club Foundation when making special gifts, memorials, and bequests.
THE LADIES HAVE ARRIVED:
In 1987, Lions International amended its constitution to allow clubs to take in
female members. During Club year 1989-90, Susan Bagg became the first female
member of the Kingston Lions Club. At the end of Club year 1990-91 there are 11
female members. They are playing important and active roles in our activities
and are assuming positions of leadership in the organization. We are happy to
have them with us.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CLUB'S CHARTER?
The charter which is issued by Lions International and presented to each Lions
Club at its Charter Night Dinner, is a large, impressive document, framed under
glass. Lions Clubs highly prize their Charter and bring it out on special
occasions for display.
Our Club was no exception. On the occasion of the visit of Admiral Richard
Byrd, in 1941, the Charter was on display. The Club saw fit to make Admiral
Byrd an honorary member and his signature was added to those of the Charter
members on the document.
Manuel (Al) Reina, the Charter President of the Club, kept the Charter in
his office for safekeeping. However, when he terminated his business in
Kingston and retired to Florida, he neglected to move his belongings
out of his rented office on Franklin Street. In cleaning up the premises, the
landlord took the Charter down from the wall and disposed of it with the trash.
And so, friends, even though its Charter has gone the way of trash, the
Lions Club of Kingston, New York, is alive and well and is proud of its
60+ year history of service to the residents of Kingston and to mankind
throughout the world.
THE TIME CAPSULE:
On Sunday, July 7, 1991, (Exactly 50 years to the day, from its Charter Night),
the Kingston Lions Club will put down a 100-year Time Capsule in the grounds of
the Ulster County Court House on Wall Street, Kingston, N.Y. The capsule,
containing some interesting trivia, is to be opened in the year 2091 - marking
the 150th Anniversary of the Lions Club of Kingston, New York.
THE ROAR'N PRIDE:
For years, it was generally conceded that the Club was large enough to have its
own band; but no one was ever sufficiently interested to explore the possibility.
Then in the fall of 1988, Past Presidents Scholar and Incalcaterra initiated a
recruitment program in earnest. Successful 'auditions' were contingent upon
positive responses to three questions: have you ever played a musical instrument,
do you still have it, and can you spell band?
The first rehearsals were gruesome and grueling. However, under the patient
leadership of Peter Incalcaterra, the small group of two trumpets, three saxes
and piano persist tenaciously. Three months later...
The Kingston Lion Club Band, showing more guts than talent, had its premier
performance at the St. Valentines Spouses Night Dinner Meeting. The rest is history!
Since that humble beginning, the Roar'n Pride has grown to eight members,
including a full percussion section. It has performed in several parades, for
most of the other Lions Clubs in the zone, at a couple of senior citizen functions,
for the Ulster County Chamber of Commerce and, most notably, at the annual
banquet of the 1990 Fall Convention of District 20-0.
If commitment and dedication are indicators for success, then there can be
little doubt that a bright future lies ahead for the Roar'n Pride.
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