District Cabinet Meeting - Friday, March 10, 2023
Wisconsin Lions Foundation Report

The Wisconsin Lions Foundation Board of Directors met on Saturday March 4, 2023 at the Lions Camp. The committees for the camp, eyeglass collection, diabetes awareness, hearing, and vision screening statewide projects met in the morning with the full Board meeting together for each project. Under the new format there no longer will be individual committee meetings. This will allow all of the WLF Directors to be more involved in discussions and give us a much better sense of ownership of the decisions made as a whole. We heard reports from Keith Mueller who oversees Eyeglass Recycling Center, Hearing Project, Children's Vision Screening and Diabetes Awareness. We also heard how Phillip Potter, the Hospitality Director plans to market the camp as year round facility available for a wide range of events from birthday parties to corporate team building events. These two young men bring new energy and exciting possibilities to the future of the Wisconsin Lions Foundation. Andrea Yenter, Camp Director gave an update to the summer camp schedule and staffing needs. A new camp improvement project will be resurfacing the existing tennis court, adding two half-court basketball courts, fencing and lighting of the new hard court area. The total cost of the project is funded through private donations, but because of WLF expenditure guidelines it will need Council of Governors approval.

Plan to visit the Wisconsin Lions Foundation display at our 27-D1 District convention on March 10-11, 2023. Convention attendees will be able to pick up materials for the statewide projects and the new folders full of information sheets on all the projects and fundraisers. Remember to bring any used eyeglasses and hearing aids that have been collected to the convention. Your District WLF Directors will be handing out the 2023 Camp For Kids Raffle tickets to clubs attending the convention or to the Zone Chairs. Tickets are $10 each and the drawing will be in September 27, 2023 at the camp.

The dates for the 2023 Camp visitor days will be Wednesdays June 7th through August 2nd 2pm to 4pm. Tours are limited to 25 guests and will include a walking and wagon tour of the grounds. Contact the WLF office to make reservations. A social is planned at the Lions Camp on Thursday May 11th as part of the State Convention in Stevens Point. Please see the separate flyer for more information.

The projected operating budget to hold the ten one-week camp sessions is nearly $1.3 million dollars. If the camp sessions run at full capacity the camper cost is about $1,000 for each camper. Donations from Lions Clubs in Wisconsin, interest/dividends from Birch Sturm, interest from the Lions Pride Endowment, and individual donations account for the largest portion of the revenue needed to operate your Lions Camp. Your continued financial support of the camp helps to give the campers an experience of a lifetime.

Plan to attend one of these events in the coming months to help support your Wisconsin Lions Foundation:

1. Lions Camp Social on Thursday, May 11, 2023, 4:30-7:30, Registration is Required
2. 15th Annual Lions Pride Sporting Clay Shoot on June 10, 2023 at Milford Hills, John Creek, WI
3. 26th Annual Birch Sturm Gold Outing on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at Glacier Woods Golf Course, Iola, WI
4. Hustle S'More at the Lions camp on August 12, 2023, New events added to make for an enjoyable experience!

We want to thank everyone for your continued support of your Camp and the other WLF statewide projects. If your club would like to learn more about the Wisconsin Lions Foundation, please contact us about a club visit at one of your meetings.

WLF Directors PDG John Elvekrog & Lion Jim Fletcher

back to March Cabinet Meeting
back to District Cabinet index