Posted: 7/25/06
Lions celebrate 40th birthday
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
The Caledonia Lions picked a great evening to say thank you.
The civic club celebrated its 40th birthday on July 18 with an ice cream social in the Gazebo Park. A big crowd of people turned out on the gorgeous summer evening for free cake and ice cream. They also got to hear the community band perform for the Music in the Park series.
Many of the people were wearing purple vests signifying their status as a Lion. One of them was Jack Krage of the Winona Noon Lions. That club sponsored the Caledonia Lions when the club was formed on February 12, 1966. Krage is also the Governor of District 5M1, which contains 49 clubs in southeastern Minnesota.
ìCaledonia has traditionally been one of the most active clubs,î Krage said. It does well both in international projects on sight and diabetes projects, and on local ones, he said.
Why is Caledonia so active? ìI think itís just something thatís in everybodyís hearts and minds,î Caledonia Lions President Terry Nelson answered. ìHelping those that need the help.î
Having fun and staying a close-knit group is one of the keys, Krage said.
Camp Winnebago in Winnebago Township is one of the biggest recipients of the Lionís fundraisers, Krage added. Camp director Theresa Burroughs seconded that. ìCamp could not operate without the Lions Clubs,î she said.
The club is always looking for new and younger members, Mary Pieper, the past president, said.
The older ones are vital too, Lee Grippen was quick to add. Pieper agreed with that.
The Lions are a good group for people who want to serve the community and have the time, Pieper said. ìAnd have a vision of what Lions can do through the world.î
She pointed to a project called Sight First Two that is aimed at preventing river blindness in Africa. Caledonia is trying to raise $5,000 for this. Thatís $100 for each of the 50 members. Itís a two-year-long project, and a big one, although if all the members have the energy level that Pieper seems to have, it should be a piece of cake.
Members are still thinking about what kind of fundraiser to do for it, Pieper said.
ìOur goal is to give away everything we earn, and we are doing a good job doing that,î she said with one of her frequent laughs. ìEverything we raise has to be given away.î
The club can keep any money members earn by doing paid labor, such as selling tickets at the state fair, Pieper added.
The Caledonia Lions have about half a dozen members with developmental disabilities. ìThey are good members,î Pieper said.
Last weekís ice cream social was a way to say thank you, Pieper added. ìBecause weíre always out there with our hands, begging,î she said. She feels the Caledonia community has been very supportive. There are many people who would say the same thing about the Lions.
Their major fundraiser is a summer raffle. They are also doing a Branson Show on September 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Caledonia High School auditorium.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
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Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
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