Montana Lions
Sight & Hearing Foundation
Foundation Newsletter
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2015 Gun Raffle
The 2015 Foundation gun raffle was a great success. Raffle tickets sales were $30,141.00; gun purchases/expenses totaled, $15, 646.46; approximate rebate to clubs $3695.00 leaving a net profit of $10,349.54.
Special thanks to the Electric City Lions, Gallatin Empire Lions, Helena Lions, Huntley Project Lions, Missoula Southside Lions and Winnett Lions for donating their raffle rebates back to the Foundation
The raffle winners were: Roger Wagner, Nashua; Doug Siderius, Evergreen; Mark Seaford; Mike Chamberlain, Kalispell; Donald Thiesen, Bozeman; Bill Gowen, Helena; Sandi Sterker, Missoula Southside; Bill Pfeifer, Gallatin Empire; Cindy Newman, Huntley Project; Ric Skiem, Cut Bank; Less Tinseth, Kalispell Sunrisers; Conor Kelly, Gallatin Empire; Ed Lawler, Billings; Jerry Leggate, Billings; Dan Peterson, Helena; Ed Malesich, Butte Mile-Hi; Doug Kalvig, Kalispell; Jo Sturdevant, Helena; Joan Gabelman, Whitehall (also won the 500 rounds of ammo); Byron Beley, Helena; Scott Prather, Red Lodge; Scott Cromwell, Helena; Leonard Fugle, Cut Bank; Monty Montgomery, Seeley Lake; Mike Colbert, Townsend; Marvin Kaschke, Polson; Pete Brekhus, Bozeman Sourdough; Angie Olsen, Evergreen; Tara Sinclair, Winnett; Jim Milligan, Hellgate.
On behalf of the Foundation trustees, thanks to all the Lions and Lions Clubs that participate in the raffle. Your support of the Foundation and your club is sincerely appreciated.
FOUNDATION TRUSTEES
PCC Ben Apeland B 586-9402 Email:
Lion Mark Cundith H 682-5711 Email:
PDG Laura Dickerson H 250-4057
Email:
PDG Lary Garrison H 896-1746
Email:
PID Dave Hajny, Vice President H 682-4596 Email:
PDG Wayne Hintz H 502-1511 Email:
DG Jim Johnke H 429-2311 Email:
PCC Dan Krum H 967-3281 Email:
PID Tom Lehman H 549-5466 Email:
PDG Ed Malesich, Secretary H 723-4689 Email:
PCC John Mathis H 761-6140 Email:
PDG Bill Pfeifer H 580-6442 Email:
VDG Jayne Pfeifer H580-6442
Email:
Lion Charles Schabel H 453-5254 Email:
PDG Dan Sturdevant, President H 933-5360 Email:
PDG Monte Weisser H 756-8528 Email:
Individual Assistance Applications
In 2016 the Foundation has given consideration to 79 applications and provided $50,600.31 in financial assistance to those in need in Montana. There have been 65 hearing aid applications, 9 cataract surgeries, 1 macular scaring, 1 YAG Capsulotomy, 1 Coats Disease, 2 vision equipment.
Applications have been received from: Helena, Bozeman, Columbia Falls, Missoula, Great Falls, Billings, Ennis, Hot Springs, Lolo, Hamilton, Lewistown, Stevensville, Ramsay, Anaconda, Eureka, Laurel, Warm Springs, East Helena, Darby, Boulder, Frenchtown, Bigfork, Black Eagle, Kalispell, Miles City, Power, Thompson Falls, Sidney, Whitefish, Power, Fairfield.
Thanks for Your Financial Support
During the second quarter of fiscal year 2015-2016 (October - December) Lions Clubs and Lions supported the Foundation by providing $50,239.80 in financial assistance: license plate sales, $1180.00; memorials, $1640.00; general donations, $10,215.80; assistance applications donations, $2540.00; pin sales, $5000.00; gun raffle, $29,690.00 (864 of 1000 tickets sold).
During the quarter 46 of 65 clubs were involved in making contributions to the Foundation.
During the second quarter of fiscal year 2015-2016 the Foundation made payments to those in need in the State of $16,654.69; paid out $19,764.00 associated with the gun raffle; made a payment of $12,510.00 to help support the PlusOptix program; paid $2400.00 on the administrator’s contract and paid $1461.41 in miscellaneous expenses.
Amazon Smile
The Foundation has made arrangements to participate in the Amazon Smile Program. The program allows a small portion of purchases made through Amazon to be paid to the Foundation.
Shoppers can use the same account for Amazon Smile and Amazon. Go to smile.amazon.com and select the Montana Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation. Every time you make a purchase using Amazon Smile a portion of your purchase will be automatically sent to the Foundation. For more details go to www.amazonsmile.com
Highlights of January 16, 2016
Trustee Meeting
The quarterly trustee meeting was held on Saturday, January 16 at the Valley Bank in Helena.
Lion Dennis Kopitzke presented the financial report. As of December 31, 2015 the account balances were as follows: checking account, $2720.44; certificates of deposits, $110,302.93; status report, $113,184.26; the income, expense and budget summary were presented; the expense report, income report and petty cash reports were presented. Motion by PDG Ed Malesich, second by PCC Dan Krum to accept the treasurer’s report. Passed.
Fundraising Committee
2016 Gun Raffle – There was substantial discussion regarding a new gun raffle for 2016: motion by PCC Dan Krum, second by PDG Jim Johnke that the Foundation sponsor a raffle for 30 weapons; only 1200 tickets will be sold; ticket prices, $40.00 each or 3 for $100.00. Passed.
Instead of offering 500 rounds of ammo the raffle will provide $500.00 to the winner drawn from the 30 weapons drawing winner. Motion by PCC Dan Krum, second by PDG Jim Johnke.
Motion by PCC Dan Krum, second by PCC John Mathis to eliminate the raffle rebate option. Passed.
Motion by VDG Jayne Pfeifer, second by PDG Ed Malesich to conduct the drawing on October 8, 2016 at the Montana Forum to be held in Billings. Passed.
PID Dave Hajny will make arrangements with Shedhorn Sports (Ennis) for the weapons.
Golf Tournament – A fundraising golf tournament will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at Pryor Creek golf course. PCC Dan Krum is coordinating the organizational efforts with Pryor Creek. Trustees should make an effort to contact their local golf courses to see if courses will donate flag prize items for the tournament.
Safari – PDG Monte will collect additional information for presentation at the April trustee meeting. The prize is a hunting/photography trip, for two, to South Africa.
ATV Raffle – Trustees will also give consideration to raffling off a new ATV. Additional information will be provided at the April 2016 trustee meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
Plusoptix – PDG Bill Pfeifer provided an update on the status of plusoptix machines: 29 machines in the State; Plusoptix has offered to provide a 1 year warranty on the 16, S12 machines for $1500.00.
PID Tom Lehman suggested that an effort be made to prepare legislation to require eye examinations for all students similar to the requirement for vaccinations.
VDG Jayne Pfeifer will work with the Montana Nurses Association and possibly Dr. Murdoch on the legislative issue.
Foundation Promotion – Trustees will be encouraged to visit clubs in their regions and promote the efforts of the Foundation.
The administrator will contact several entities and gather information regarding the production of a mailing that will include Foundation promotional information and requests for contributions to the Foundation.
The Foundation video is available for use by trustees and clubs.
Administrator’s Contract – Motion by PDG Jim Johnke, second by VDG Jayne Pfeifer to approve the extension of the administrator’s contract for an additional 12 months. Passed.
The administrator indicated that this is expected to be the last extension of his contract. Trustees should begin to look for a new administrator. Note: The transition can be done at any time during the year.
Assistance Applications
In 2015, 79 applications were processed and $50,600.31 was provided in grants.
a. #2015C64, Cataracts, Ennis. Efforts to bring the application to a conclusion continue. The applicant must honor the requirement imposed by the trustees at the October 17 meeting. The applicant will have to apply for financial assistance through the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital and may have to have cataract surgeries at a site determined by the Foundation.
b. #2015C68, Hearing Aids, Power/Fairfield. Motion by PDG Ed Malesich, second by Lion Charles Schabel to approve the application. Passed.
c. #2015C79, Cataracts, Ennis. The applicant will have to apply for financial assistance through the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital and may have to have the cataract surgeries at a site determined by the Foundation. The applicant will be asked to share in paying for the procedures as much as is possible. Lion Mark Cundith will work with the applicant.
d. #2016C01, Hearing Aids, Great Falls Sunrise. The Foundation will not pay for services that were acquired without prior Foundation approval.
e. #2015C60, Cholear Implant, Lolo. New information indicates that the implant will cost $7995.00. The Lolo Lions Club will be asked to contribute an additional $600.00. The executive committee will give consideration to the application. If the Lolo Lions Club cannot provide the additional $600.00 the committee will give consideration to supporting the club and providing the needed financial support.
MEMORIALS OR HONORARIUM
Remember a loved one or honor that special person by donating to the Foundation. What better way to remember or honor someone than having your donation live in perpetuity? Your Memorial or Honorarium donation is never spent; only the interest earned on these assets will be used to further the purpose of the Foundation. Recent Memorials have been received in memory of: Ollie Bergedahl, Roy Gray, Jr., Jack C. Naegele, and Janet Connole.
LIFE MEMBERSHIPS
A Life Membership to the Foundation, which includes a lapel pin and packet card can be bestowed by an individual, group of individuals, Lions Club or can be purchased by an individual with a donation of one hundred dollars. The most recent recipients of Life Memberships include: Verna Love-Cragwick (Butte Mile Hi), Lion Bob Haensel (Electric City), DG Rich Gessling (Red Lodge).
FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIPS
Foundation Fellowships can now be purchased by individuals. Foundation Fellowships are used to recognize outstanding Lions and other deserving individuals. The Board of Trustees of the Foundation endorses this Fellowship. The Fellowship award includes a lapel pin, a mounted certificate and acknowledgement on a permanent record board. Fellowships can be acquired for a donation of two hundred and fifty dollars. The most recent recipients of the fellowship are: Thomas Flaherty (Red Lodge), Brenda Ludwig (Broadwater County).
PID DAVE HAJNY, PID TOM LEHMAN AND PID GARY
TSCHACHE FELLOWSHIPS
The PID Dave Hajny, PID Tom Lehman and PID Gary Tschache Fellowships are available. The fellowships recognize the contributions to Lionism made by PID Dave, PID Tom and PID Gary. The fellowships are a great way to provide recognition for deserving Lions. Fellowships can be purchased for $500.00. A permanent record board has been created to give special recognition to all those that receive this fellowship. For more information and application forms contact the Foundation administrator.
Most recent recipients of the PID Dave Hajny Fellowship are: Don Vucasovich (Anaconda), Ron Christman (Kalispell Sunrisers), Terry Lee (Billings Heights), Paul Dennis, (Anaconda), Donald Thiesen (Bozeman).
The most recent recipients of PID Tom Lehman Fellowship are: Andy Black (Billings Heights), Leona Gibson and Wayne Gibson (Bozeman Sourdough), Rick Robson (Canada).
The most recent recipients of the PID Gary Tschache Fellowship are: Alex Hudak (Gallatin Empire) Jessica Falcon (Kalispell Sunrisers), Ken Sciuchetti (Ennis) and Sarah Barutha (Bozeman Sweet Pea), Paddy Gwin (Billings Heights).
April Meeting - The next trustee meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 10:00 AM. The meeting will be held at the Valley Bank in Helena. All Lions and guests are always welcome to attend the meeting.
FOUNDATION WEBSITE WWW.MTLIONSSHFND.ORG
The Foundation’s website has all the basic information associated with Foundation programs and services: Purpose of the Foundation, Trustees and their contact information, information and forms for PID Fellowships, Foundation Fellowships, Life Memberships, Memorials, Honorariums. The individual assistance form and instructions is available.
FOUNDATION INFORMATION
For more information about any program or service offered by the Foundation contact: Lion Dennis Kopitzke, Box 1266, Forsyth 59327; 406-346-1488;
email: ;
website: www.mtlionsshfnd.org
PLEASE PASS THIS NEWSLETTER INFORMATION TO OTHER CLUB MEMBERS. THANKS FOR SUPPORTING YOUR MONTANA LIONS SIGHT & HEARING FOUNDATION