Smithville Lions Club - Wendy Bottomley - 12S

Gary,

Here is a post from the Smithville Club.

We recently received a request from a Braille teacher at an elementary school for CCTV equipment.  The equipment was secured and delivered.  What makes this experience so touching is the thank you note we received from the recipient.  This is why we do what we do.

Our Business is Saving Eyesight

So remember us when you want to make a difference.  We have a lot of friendly faces to help others.

Our Motto:  WE SERVE

An unexpected "thank you"

As a Lion, I have been thanked many times by people that Lions have helped.  Ironically, I am usually being thanked for work that other Lions have done.  I always feel a little awkward accepting the gratitude, so I am grateful to have this site to post some of it and maybe get it to the folks that deserve it more than I do.  Lions need to share their stories.  Everyone needs to be reminded of what “We Serve” truly means.  

 

So, I share an unusual “thank you” that I received in March 2011.  It was my honor to serve as an Adult Volunteer Leader at this year’s Tennessee 4-H Congress held at the State Capitol in Nashville.  While there, I tried to advertise a little for the Lions Club by wearing my Lions Blazer.  After two days, my roommate asked, “So, you’re with the Lions Clubs?”  I replied affirmatively and was told that he wanted to thank us for the “Drug Essay Contest” that we do.  Now, I have been thanked for a lot of things in my 19 years as a Lion, but this was a first for me.  When I asked him to explain, he responded that when his high school age daughter sat down to write her essay, she talked with him about it.  He stated that this was the first time he was able to talk with her about drugs and alcohol without either of them feeling like it was a lecture or a chore.  He said it was one of the best talks he ever had with his daughter.  That is an impact that Lions have had that I never could have imagined.

 

There are millions of stories like this one out there and I am delighted to see this site up and running to capture them.  I thank each of you in advance for taking the time to write them down.  I also thank Lion Gary Overman for making this possible.  

 

God bless you all, indeed, if you have one of these stories, He already has…

 

Lion Cliff Swoape

It's ready !

All right all you Lions…. Getting busy and do some posting!

A "Thank You" off the street

From GaryO , Tullahoma Downtown Lions- TN12S

Last weekend as I left our Tennessee Lions State Convention in downtown Chattanooga, I had to stop for a gas fill-up. Just as I was about to leave, a young , but large man approached me... slightly temided. But by the way he was dressed and by the location of where I stopped, I was immediately on guard.

I must admit, I made an immediate ""judgement" based on his clothes and his physicality. But since he walked right up to me,  I had no choice but to respond face-to-face within inches.

He said " I see your license plate..... you're a Lion ?".

I said "Yes"

He stuck out his hand to shake mine and said " You Lions have helped my family and I just wanted to say Thank You"

I barely got the words " Thank you" out.... As I left , I felt ashamed of my initial thoughts as he approached.. But it was tempered by the great pride I felt in being a Lion.