SERVICE PROJECTS
	Lions Island
	In the 1960's, the City of Longview granted permission to the Pioneer Lions to clear an island in Lake Sacajawea (One of the city's parks). After clearing much of the unwanted growth, they discovered that many valuable trees and shrubs were still growing. With care and attention, they flourished again. Thousands of bulbs and seeds have been planted, and walking paths established on the island. A permanent bridge was built connecting the island to the shore, allowing citizens to walk among the flowers and shrubs. During the Christmas season, trees and shrubs are lighted with tens of thousands of lights, providing a spectacular sight that is enjoyed by walkers and joggers, as well as those driving through the area. Members of the Pioneer Lions continue to maintain and further develop the island. Click to See Lions Island Photo Story

Kids Races No project is more rewarding for the Longview Pioneer Lions than the running of the annual “Kids’ Races” in front of R. A. Long High School on the Fourth of July. It is rewarding because of the tradition of the event. Lion John Claypool remembers that as a young boy he and his neighborhood friends would practice races such as the wheelbarrow and three legged for a week before the event and, as a result, win enough candy to last two weeks. He remembers Lions like George Bracket, Oscar Lemiere, Howard Williams, Joe Johnson, Ron Hickey,Steve Harvey and others, manning the lines and acting as judges. The candy bars could add up quickly with 3 given for first place, 2 for second and 1 for third place. The Kids’ Races is rewarding from the standpoint that at a very early age many of the young people in our community have a positive exposure to Lions which is great fun in friendly competition with a sweet reward for success. This association may be a small reason that Lions are part of the largest service organization in our area. Getting the Pioneer Lions name out to the community in this manner is very rewarding. And while it may be the least important part of the Kids’ Races, it is always rewarding to give back to the community through this service, both the candy that the kids enjoy so much, which is a small matter, and the whole experience of our Lions club hosting a small town race event which is really what the Fourth of July and America is all about. The Pioneer Lions are proud of this event and Lions like John Claypool, who participated in the 1950's, saw his sons race in so many events in the 1970's and 80's, is now looking forward to his grandson's participation in the coming years, the third generation of his family to enjoy the Longview Pioneer Lions Kids Races Click to see a Kids Races Photo Story

Handicap Access Ramps Since the mid 80's the Pioneer Lions have been installing, free of charge, access ramps to the homes of handicaped folks unable to provide it themselves. To date, under the leadership of Lion Bob Brasaemle, the Pioneer Lions have built and installed some 66 wheel chair ramps. Each ramp is custom made to meet the needs of the client and the property. Some are as short as 8 feet, while others are 60 feet.

Bronson Fulz-Edward, Audrey Larson, Ida Salinas, Perry Smith

Academic Recognition Each spring the Pioneer Lions host a special luncheon where some of the leading students in various departments of the local high schools and community college are recognized and honored. In addition to special recognition at the luncheon, each student receives a modest scholarship which is intended to defray some of the expenses in continuing further study.

 

Memorial Benches This project provides for the preparation and installation of sturdy and comfortable benches in the city's public parks, where residents may rest while on an outing. These benches are built as memorials to Lions who have played a significant role in club activities through the years. Their names are inscribed on the backrest of each bench.

 

	Walk and Knock Back in 1981 the Pioneer Lions conceived and implemented the very first Walk n Knock which covered most of the City of Longview.In the beginning colecting the food took a week. Today the continuing successful Walk and Knock project is supported by a number of service clubs and other community organizations. Food is collected during a one day inter-organization drive, and stored for distribution to the community's citizens who are in need and without adequate income. The Pioneer Lions and club Walk n Knock coordinator P.K.L. Greg Firth continued to carry their share of the load by bringing in ten thousand pounds of food for 1995, an increase of two thousand pounds over the previous year. Click for a Walk n Knock Photo Story

 

Street of Screams The Street of Screams for Halloween Night was a concept started by the late Ron Wick, who simply wanted a safe place for his grandchildren to Trick or Treat. With his friends, Larry Cowan and Kerry Kugling, the idea evolved into an annual local area event. The first, Street of Screams took place at the empty Montgomery Wards Building in the old Triangle Mall, nearly 2,000 children. Seeing that parents were not worried about the safety of their children and they were not being on the dark streets. The Street of Screams event itself lasts about 4 hours; it currently provides safe fun and enjoyment to approximately 3,500 children to Trick or Treat. In 2008, the founders asked the Longview Pioneer Lions Club to take over the event. The club reviewed the event after being part of it for 5 years prior and decided that this is the kind of community event that should not go away. All net monies raised after cost will go to the Pioneer Lions Boys and Girls committee for distribution to its various projects: Kid’s Vision and Hearing Screenings and sending diabetic kids to the Lions Club “Camp Leo” to learn how to cope with the diabetes. It will also help fund the “Back Pack Program” through the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Department. Click for a Street of Screams Photo Story

Race Against Juvenile Diabetes Diabetes is a disease process with strong connection to vision loss; our main focus. The Pioneer Lions Race Against Juvenile Diabetes event attracts not only race enthusiasts, but entire families as well! It’s a great motivational outing for the entire family to attend and participate in either the half-marathon race, 10k, and 5k race/walk. There is also opportunity for the younger children to have fun participating in a series of Kids Dashes. This year’s event is Saturday, April 21, 2012. Another great service project is Camp Leo located in Shelton WA. Camp Leo is volunteer based and funded by donations. Camp Leo is dedicated to providing an overnight camping experience for children with diabetes where diabetes is the norm, rather than the exception. Here they can have fun in a safe setting away from home, meet other children with diabetes; learn about their disease and gain independence essential to living a healthy life. The Race Event Committee seeks out sponsors to cover the race expenses to allow ALL of the race registration monies to fund scholarships for campers as no one is turned away. Over the past 3 years due to the strong community support, Pioneer Lions have provided $10,000 to Camp Leo.