The Association of Lions Clubs (later renamed Lions Clubs International (LCI)) was formed in Chicago, IL, in 1917 by businessman Melvin Jones. The clubs’ initial goal was to reach beyond local business issues and address the betterment of their communities and the world. One of the first public issues they felt needed attention was vision impairment. Additional vision impairment issues became obvious after Helen Keller, herself blind and known as a tireless advocate for people with vision disabilities, addressed the Lions National Convention at Cedar Point, OH, in 1925. There she urged assembled Lions to continue their tireless efforts in supporting the blind and those with vision problems and proudly branded the Lions as “Knights of the blind in the crusade against dark ness.” Since then, Lions Clubs have worked vigorously to help those individuals with vision difficulties.

Today, the Lion Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) proudly continues these efforts by offering unique and impactful initiatives, programs, and grants. One of LCIF’s most notable programs is SightFirst which celebrates 30 years of funding efforts in fighting blindness and provides aid to persons who are blind or have visual impairment. Since 1990, SightFirst has helped more than 488 million people, with millions still requiring support. Locally, Lions Clubs support eye research and rehabilitation programs at the Lions Vision Center and Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute in Baltimore, Maryland.

To learn more about our many vision programs and help continue funding vision programs, visit us on “Vision Days” at JBK Hardware and Redners in Chestertown on April 14th-15th from 5pm-8pm and April 16th from 9am-12pm at JBK Hardware, Redners, Molly’s, and Chestertown Farmers Market. For more information about Chestertown Lions Club vision programs, please visit our webpage at www.chestertownlions.org or on Facebook @chestertownlions.

The Chestertown Lions Club welcomes cyclists to Draw For Sight Bicycle Poker Run Ride. The tour consists of a 36 or 60 mile rolling to flat course.  The route takes in the scenery of the heartland of Upper Kent County in Maryland including farmlands, old country homes, quaint towns, and great country stores. The ride goes through historic Chestertown.

Route starts and ends at Betterton Volunteer Fire Company, 2 Howell Point Road, Betterton, MD 21610.

Time:
Registration Hours;
7:30 am to 8:30 am
Rides start at 8:30 am
Drawing stations close at 1:00 pm
Rides end promptly at 2:00 pm.
Last sweep 2:00 pm
All score cards must be turned in by 2:00 pm.

Cost:
$35 until March 31
$40 April 1 until April 16
$50 April 17 until April 24
– Blind riders ride for FREE
– No Refunds
– Fee includes map, marked route, sag wagon and five food stops

Make checks payable to Chestertown Lions Charities, Inc.
Proceeds go to Lions Club projects.

Register online:

Register By Mail:

From Virginia Gregg, Emergency Planner in the Kent County Office of Emergency Services:

Good afternoon!   Here is a message of a different sort.  Instead of the normal weather update, I’m advising of an opportunity to order 4 free covid test kits.  The federal government web site for ordering free at-home covid tests is  now live (one day earlier than expected).    Visit this site and you can order 4 free test kits to be delivered to your home address.   Limit:  1 order of 4 tests per address.    Please be aware that there will most likely  be a gap between the time of your order and the time of delivery, so please place your order before you need a test kit.    The site is https://www.covidtests.gov/

Best,

Ginger

Fellow Lions,

Congratulations to PKL Dave Dunham!! Dave was recognized by District Governor John Lawrence on behalf of the Lions International President Dr. Choi with a CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION in Recognition of Distinguished Achievements in Fulfilling the Mission of Lions Clubs International. The presentation was made at the annual Social held in Cambridge, MD, Saturday, March 7, 2020, to honor 22B’s District Governor John Lawrence.

Dave, a relatively new Lion was recognized for his outstanding service for his recent service as President of the Chestertown Lions Club, by the implementation of a new fundraiser (the Comedy Night) and particularly for his success in promoting the activities of his club in local news outlets. His club’s activities seem to get published almost every week.

The entire Chestertown Lions Club thanks PKL Dave for all he does.

KL Rick

Congratulations to our Shotgun Raffle Winners!

1st place: Samantha Delroy – Chestertown

2nd place: Pat Thompson – Chestertown

Fellow Lions,

Washington College President Kurt Landgraf is the newest member of the Chestertown Lions Club and was inducted by District Governor John Lawrence at a regular dinner meeting the evening of November 20, 2019. Congratulations and welcome Kurt!

Pictured below (left to right) DG John Lawrence, Lion Kurt Landgraf, and sponsor VDG Wayne Benjamin.

Fellow Lions,

Fellow Lions,

Saturday morning, November 9, 2019, the Chestertown Lions Club was joined by Chrissy Nelson, Diabetes Nurse Educator with UM Shore Regional Health, at the Farmers Market to increase diabetes awareness. Information about diabetes was available as well as a diabetes risk self-assessment questionnaire. The Lions Club was well represented by Lion Bill Low, John Paolella, Larry Lyons, Glenn Owens, and KL Rick Coffman.

Lions International has identified diabetes as one of Lions Five Global Causes.

Lions can be seen each week at the Farmers Market selling raffle tickets for our annual Shotgun Raffle to raise funds to support the many services provided to the community.

I wish to thank Chrissy Nelson and all of the Lions that participated to make this event a success.

KL Rick

Fellow Lions,

Chestertown Lions supported the Betterton Still Pond Lions Club by selling 50/50 tickets at their fall Horse Races on November 2, 2019. Lions Glen Owens, Matt Kempel, Mark Mumford, and Rick Coffman participated.

Lion Mark called the Races and the other Lions sold 50/50 tickets. The event was well attended and fun was had by all.

KL Rick

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Fellow Lions,

The Chestertown Lions Club supports the LVRF and attended the District 22-B Fifteenth Annual Lions Vision Research Foundation Banquet held Friday, November 1, 2019, at the Greensboro VDF Community Hall. The program was inspiring; we heard from Dr. Robert Chun regarding the activities within the Low Vision Division of the Wilmer Eye Institue and Dwayne H. Adams, Sr. a patient which shared his story of how the Wilmer Eye Institute changed his life after a terrible accident left him completely blind in the left eye and with only partial vision in the right, as well as no sense of smell.

The Chestertown Lions Club was represented by KL Rick Coffman, 1stVDG Wayne Benjamin, Lions James Sanders, Fred Sherriff, and Matt Kempel. A check for $500 was presented to PDG Wayne Cole by KL Rick Coffman.

KL Rick

In Chestertown, diabetes nurse educator Chrissy Nelson will join the Lions Club in a booth at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday, November 9, with the theme, “Lions Raising Awareness of Diabetes.”

Fellow Lions,

In search of a new fundraiser for the Chestertown Lions Club which required little up front cost and limited number of volunteers, Service Chair Fred Sherriff and Director Ken Roderick organized an event in partnership with the Church Hill PTA and a food vendor out of Easton, Md. The Church Hill PTA was raising money for an additional White Board.

The event was held Friday evening October 25, 2019 at the Church Hill Elementary School. The Chestertown Lions Club was represented by Lions Herb Wilkinson, Lee Hunley and Henry Hart. A big thanks goes to the Lions participating.

Our Lions Club benefited from this community project by the service we provided to make it happen and the experience we gained by first hand observation of food and the vendor from Easton. Based upon what we learned we may be able to duplicate this type of fundraiser in the future at other venues.

Again, thanks to Fred and Ken for spearheading this event.

KL Rick

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The Chestertown Lions Club supports the Low Vision Rehabilitation Network (Lions Lovrnet) which is a community based healthcare program that addresses the current shortage and distribution of low vision rehabilitation services.

Pictured left is President Rick Coffman and District Governor John Lawrence.

The Governor of District 22B, John Lawrence spoke to the Chestertown Lions Club on October 23, 2019 to discuss the joy of service.
Pictured left is District Governor John Lawrence and President Rick Coffman.

Fellow Lions,

See the following article in the Chestertown Spy:

Free Events Set for Easton, Chestertown to Mark National Diabetes Awareness Month

In Chestertown, diabetes nurse educator Chrissy Nelson will join the Lions Club in a booth at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday, November 9, with the theme, “Lions Raising Awareness of Diabetes.”

Rick KL

Lion Larry Lyons was recognized by the Chestertown Lions Club for his tremendous contribution to humanity & service as Chair of the Membership Committee. He was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award at a regular meeting held October 23, 2019. The Lions Club International recognizes outstanding individuals by bestowing on them an award that is named for its founder, Melvin Jones.
Pictured left to right is Larry Lyons and District Governor John Lawrence.

KL Rick

Fellow Lions,

I wish to thank Chair Lion Matt Kempel, Lions Henry Hart, Herb Wilkinson, Bob Knapp, and Wayne Benjamin for coming out Thursday to pick up trash on Route 213 between Fey Road and Sprackel Pool. Working together we can make a difference in our community.

Thanks again.

Rick KL

Fellow Lions,

A big thank you goes to Lion Fred Sherriff and a team of Chestertown Lions that worked at the Homeports Health & Wellness Expo held at the Kent County High School on Thursday, October 17, 2019.

The Lions served coffee and manned a table promoting Health-related services provided the community by the Chestertown Lions Club including the collection of eyeglasses, eye screening of young children, transportation to eye doctors, and diabetes awareness. It was a fun day of Lionism, and both District Governor John Lawrence and 1st Vice District Governor Wayne Benjamin stopped in for a visit.

Thanks again for another great day of service.

KL Rick

Draw for Sight Poker ride   April 26

Bay to Bay ride   June 28