Project New Hope of New York     

The Hamlin Lions club from District 20-E1 certainly cares about veterans.   Past district Governor Marvin Hankinson and new Lion George Kelly, both veterans of the armed forces, are working on initiating a program in New York State.  The program is called Project New Hope a retreat that helps veterans of conflict and their families to heal.  The program helps the veteran and their families cope with the long separations of deployment and reintegration.  The three-day program is being held at Camp Badger in Spencer New York.

Project New Hope was started in District five in northern MN. as a service project to help veterans.  In its short expectance the program has helped many active duty, reserves  and veterans to get much needed help with issues surrounding being in armed conflicts and deployments. Statistics show 25% of homeless is combat veterans.  The suicide rate for veterans ages 20 -24 are four times higher than that of a civilian.  The survival rate of the wounded solders has increased with advancement in medicine.

The Hamlin Lions club is raising money for the program in a variety of way.  They are giving wristbands that have the name of the program on them to people willing to support the program.  A gun raffle is planned for later in the year as well as a golf tournament.  Lions Kelly and Hankinson are travaling around New York State talking to various clubs and organizations in an effort to raise money for the program.  The idea is to have many different groups share in the cost of the retreats.  The presentation put on by the pair explains what the program goals are and how people can help.  The retreats cover three days and meals are served so if an organization in New York City wants to help they can sponsor a meal.  The cost of each meal has been computed and a list is available from the club. Another way is to sponsor a family.  The cost of a family for the weekend is $300.00 this includes food, lodging and childcare.  Group that cannot afford to sponsor a family for an entire weekend can send partial donation and they will be combined to cover a family’s expense.   Donations are accepted through the camp at The Empire State Special Needs Experince a (501c3) charity so all contribution made through the camp are tax deductable. If sending contribution directly to the Camp please mark them to be used for Project New Hope.  The mailing address for Camp Badger is 725 LaRue Road, Spencer New York, 14883. Lions Kelly and Hankinson can be contacted at projectnewhopeny@gmail.com or (585) 355-5117.

Lions Help Veterans Readjust to Life at Home  www.youtube.com/watch