Coleman Lions Club celebrates 83rd anniversary

Coleman Lions Club turned 83 years old this fall! The celebration was the 13^th year Coleman Lions has held their Charter Night Dinner and Auction fundraiser, held for the second year at Unforgettable Events on Shaffer Road in Coleman. As the event has gotten better known, more businesses are donating, and more new “friends” are attending! This year over 60 businesses and friends donated prizes, cash or gift certificates for the drawings and games! Around 170 guests attended the event.

A “Heart of a Lion” award is given each year to an individual or organization that exemplifies the Lions motto, “We Serve.” This year Lion Amy Hovey made a presentation to the Coleman Youth Athletic Association (CYAA) president Kyle DeVrieze for the work they do providing Coleman kids with sporting opportunities, making scholarships available where needed, and the efforts they are making to turn the former skating rink into an indoor practice site for baseball and softball in the off-season.

 Many District Lions, including District Governor Jim Patterson from Fremont Lions attended the event. Other Lions who attended were from clubs in Midland, Onekama and White Cloud. Their support is appreciated.

Winners of the major games and drawings were as follows; a Henry 22 long rifle was won by Mike Billingsley from Sanford. A queen size quilt made and donated by Connie Gordon Farrier was won by Belinda Lyons of Midland. Carol Haines from Harrison was the winner of a Pit Boss Gas Griddle and a propane tank. A $150 meat package from Sanford Food Store was won by Kathy Gates of Coleman. And the 50/50 drawing was won by Heidi Jennings from Sanford.

Coleman Lions Club wants to thank the many donors and sponsors who helped make this such a successful fundraiser. A huge thank you to Cathy Gordon for holding the Charter Night at Unforgettable Events again this year. The more than 50 donors and sponsors included businesses in Clare, Coleman, Harrison, Midland, Mt. Pleasant and Sanford.

The money raised during this fundraiser will be used in the community for scholarships for seniors, large print books for the Coleman Area Library, glasses, and hearing aids for those in need, donations to the Coleman Food Pantry, sponsorship of a CYAA team, and so many other community needs. They also donate to Eversight Michigan, Leader Dogs for the Blind and PAWS With a Cause, to name a few state organizations near and dear to their hearts. Check them out on Facebook and on the Coleman Lions website (https://www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/colemanmi/index.php) for contact information and to learn more.