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Thank You, Barre Lions
(by Glenn Myer, President Elect, Lamoille Valley Lions, Stowe - September 17, 2008)
Editor:
I would like to focus Barre's view on their Lions Club. Most people in a community view service organizations as people who meet and socialize, do worthwhile projects and are generally loyal, helpful, loving and caring members of their conclave. Communities accept and support their service clubs by associations with one or two active members. Services such as eyeglasses, hearing aids or wheelchair access ramps could draw the analogy of watching a football game and only watching the quarterback and missing the rest of the game.
This could only be the tip of a giant iceburg when you evaluate Barre’s Lions Club. I approached Barre’s Lions Club to sponsor a new club in Lamoille Valley over a year ago. The reception was not typical; Flatlander vs. Vermonter, working class vs. wealthy, established club vs. babysitting a newbie. None of the old cliches apply to this Lions Club. We were openly welcomed, encouraged to fold into the mix and be part of the established pride. The average age of the Barre’s Lion Club may be the generation that stopped two dictators, made the 45th parallel a real number or JFK’s last day is vivid in their memory. This has no bearing on their ability to accept new ideas, ideologies that differ from theirs and spending seemingly endless hours of grinding meetings that seem to yield little results. The results are real, they gave birth to a new pride!
I would prefer not to single any one member of this club as special, worthy or dominant. I would prefer not to praise any one member for the help they gave me, endless phone calls or “We don’t agree with this but how can we work with you to get this done.” All of the Lions that I have interacted with have possessed most of these qualities, hearts of a lion, time of an hourglass and patience of a grandmother. These are the very special people
When you are needy and require eyeglasses or hearing aids, your first thought is to contact the Barre Lions Club and you should, but for one moment, please look at all the gifts and work these unique, special Lions do for Barre. Very simply put, these are ordinary Lions that are driven by a passion to help every single needy person that they are aware of in Barre and for that they deserve much thanks.
My pride will always be Barre. You are one group of inspirin”
Glenn Myer, President Elect, Lamoille Valley Lions
Stowe
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