Tonight’s meeting was a joint meeting with the Olney Lions Club.

DG Carl Vettel brought us a message from the International President Naresh Aggarwal, about the power of we.  It’s all about clubs working together, Lions working together, different service organizations joining together.  We can do more if we organize and work together.

Traditionally, the international focus has been on four areas: vision, hunger, environment, and youth.  Given that all of these areas can benefit youth, that last focus has been changed to diabetes and pediatric cancer.

Next year is the 50th anniversary of LCIF.  They have given a billion dollars in grants as of this year.  Our district has given a lot, especially to disaster relief, and have received a lot, including grants to help.

Many other district programs are thriving such as Lions Camp Merrick, Lions Youth Foundation, Lions Vision Research Foundation, National Memorial Day Parade, the District Honor Roll.

The governor also let us know about a great service project idea going around the district to turn the hard glasses cases that we usually can’t accept or use into first aid/health kits that can be distributed to the homeless.

Both clubs appreciated the visit from our DG and members of his cabinet.  It was a great night.