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Vergennes Lions Had A Busy Winter And Spring

photo provided LtoR: Maryanne Castimore receiving check from President Shanon Atkins.

photo provided Hannah Hatch speaking to the club at Speak Out

photo provided LtoR: June Sargent receiving check from President Atkins.

photo provided Joanne Corbett (right) receiving check from President Atkins.

Tuesday June 24, 2014

The Vergennes Lions Club has had a very busy winter and spring, donating thousands of dollars to area organizations and individuals.  In order to do this, the club does various raffles and asks area businesses for assistance.  Club President Shanon Atkins said that if it wasn’t for the area businesses we wouldn’t be able to help all those that we are do now.
    It started off with the club donating $2,000 to the Vergennes Community Food Shelf to help purchase food for those in need.  Maryanne Castimore, representing the food shelf, thanked the club for the donation and mentioned that the number of households receiving food on a monthly basis has nearly doubled in the past few years.
    The next project was the annual “Speak Out” competition.  This year, four young women from Vergennes Union High School presented speeches based on Lions Club International President Barry Palmer’s slogan of “Follow Your Dream.”  Hannah Hatch won first place over her fellow presenters Stephanie Anderson, Julie Grace and Cassi King.  Hannah went on to the District (Vermont) competition where she came in second place.  This competition results in cash prizes for the top three speakers.  Advisor Cookie Stepanitis helps the students prepare each year.
The club also presented $500 to Vergennes Union Elementary School principal, June Sargent, to help strengthen the reading program at the school.  Ms. Sargent spoke about the competition to read and the tremendous success that she has seen with students surpassing what she had originally expected.
    Elderly Services Director Joanne Corbett spoke to the club about her program and encouraged members to help identify folks in our communities that might benefit from use of the program.  She also mentioned the constant need for additional funding to help meet the costs of the program.  Club President Atkins presented Ms. Corbett with $1,000 to help.
    In addition, the club sponsored the regular Red Cross Blood Drives, made donations for fuel assistance, built handicap accessible ramps to homes in Bristol and Vergennes, and made a $1000 donation to the Vergennes Area Boys and Girls Club.
    The club also participated in the American Legion sponsored Memorial Day Parade with a float, selling flags and food, and conducting its annual car raffle.  The winner of the car was Sara Leach.  The monetary winners were Phil O”Brien, Jr. and Julie Norton.  Again, the club thanks everyone for their support and encouragement as “We Serve.”

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