Lions Club Donates Magnifying Reader

Pickerington, Ohio, December 6, 2011 - The Pickerington Lions Club recently donated a large, table-top magnifying reader to the Pickfair Square Apartment complex located on Jericho Road next to the post office.

The reader was donated to the Lions Club months ago by a local woman whose husband no longer had use for it. She gave it to the club because she thought the Lions would be able to find someone who needed it.

At Pickfair Square, the main user of the reader will be Mary Johnson, who told Lions Club members when the reader was set up that she hasn’t been able to read anything in years because of very poor eyesight. She now enjoys reading newspapers and her old recipes again.

*********************************************************************************************************

Pickerington Lions Celebrate 65 Years of Service in Pickerington

Lion Tom Brubaker is Presented

"Distinguished Service Award" at Event

Above: Lion Brian Fox reads the Distinguished Service Award before

presenting it to Lion Tom Brubaker.

The Pickerington Lions Club celebrated its 65th anniversary at the Pickerington Senior Center on November 5.

The event began at 6:30 PM with a social time for members and guests, featuring appetizers, punch and wine. The program began at 7:00 PM with dinner following shortly afterward. Dinner included salad, roast pork tenderloin, lasagna, mashed potatoes, vegetables and birthday cake.

The guest speaker was Jackie Christensen, president of the Canal Winchester Lions Club, who presented and commented on Helen Keller’s famous 1925 speech to the Lions International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, in which she asked Lions to adopt the cause of the blind.

Also in attendance was Mitch O'Brien, Mayor of Pickerington, who presented the Lions with a mayoral proclamation congratulating the Lions on 65 years.

Sixty-nine Lions from around District 13K attended. All guests received a special, limited-edition Lions collector pin commemorating the club's anniversary.

One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the Distinguished Service Award to 56-year Lion Tom Brubaker. A very well-deserved award.

*********************************************************************************************************

Sienna Float Wins the Lions 2011 Peace Poster Contest

The Pickerington Lions Club hosted its first Peace Poster Contest in years this year at Ridgeview Junior High School. Fifty-seven students of Cheryl Knox's art classes participated in the contest.

Their posters were among more than 350,000 entries submitted worldwide in the annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Lions Club's International is sponsoring the program to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.

Canal Winchester artist Carolyn Sittler judged all entries.

Seventh-grader Sienna Float was the winning artist in the Pickerington Competition. The three runners up included: Ozian Fereja, Kayla Stanley and Samantha Lassahn. Awards were given out to winners and participants at a reception held by the Lions in honor of the students' entries.

*********************************************************************************************************

Pizza Challenge Winners Announced

Pickerington, Ohio, May 27: Who makes the best pizza in Pickerington? Members of the Pickerington Lions Club set out to find an answer to that question at its Tenth Annual Pizza Challenge held on May 26 at the Pickerington Senior Center. Seven shops accepted the club's invitation, including Kingy's, Catalfino’s, Romeo’s, Classics Pizza, Creno’s, Pizza Hut, Uno’s Pizzeria.

The Challenge was divided into two categories: a "Judges' Choice" and the "Lions' Choice". The challenge was a "blind" taste test, meaning that no one knew what pizzas they were judging.

The big winners of the event were:

Catalfino’s (Best Specialty Pizza)

Uno’s (Judges’ Choice for Best Pepperoni Pizza)

Romeo’s (People’s Choice for Best Pepperoni Pizza).

Other shops receiving honors in the People’s Choice category were:

Kingy's (Best Sauce)

Pizza Hut (Best Crust)

Creno's (2nd Place Best Pepperoni Pizza)

Other winners in the Judge's Choice category were:

Classic (2^nd Place Best Pepperoni Pizza and Best Sauce)

Catalfino’s (Best Crust)

Romeo’s (2^nd Place Best Specialty Pizza).

"We really appreciate the community spirit of the shops that were involved," said club president Brian Fox. “The real winners of this event are the blind and sight-impaired who will be helped by the money raised at the challenge," Fox added.

The celebrity judges included Mayor Mitch O’Brien, Boy Scout Troop 256 scoutmaster Jerry Pritchard, Kiwanis representative Mike Sabatino, GOOD Program founder Ron Derry and his wife Pam, also of the GOOD Program.

*********************************

Pickerington Lions Club

to Hold 10th Annual Pizza Challenge

Pickerington, Ohio, May 12: The Pickerington Lions Club is searching for the best pizza in Pickerington. In order to find it, the club is inviting all pizza shops in the Pickerington area to enter its tenth annual Pizza Challenge on May 26 at the Pickerington Senior Center, beginning at 7 pm. The public is invited to vote for their favorite pizza.

At this time, the following shops have agreed to participate: Kingy’s, Catalfino’s, Romeo’s, Hungry Howies, Classic Pizza, Uno’s, Pizza Hut and Creno’s. Other shops are expected to enter.

"This is a great event," said Club President Brian Fox. "It's always a lot of fun and it will help the club raise money needed for our sight-saving efforts. We really appreciate the community spirit of the participating shops," Fox added.

The Challenge has two categories: a "Lions’ Choice" and the "Judges’ Choice". The first category will be made up of members of the public who will give First Place plaques for Best Overall Pizza, Best Sauce and Best Crust.

In the second category, a panel of local pizza experts will taste test each pizza and also award honors for the three areas mentioned above plus a fourth category of Best Specialty Pizza. The challenge will be a "blind" taste test, meaning that no one will know what pizzas they are judging.

The celebrity judges will include Mayor Mitch O’Brien, Boy Scout Troop 256 scoutmaster Jerry Pritchard, Kiwanis representative Mike Sabatino, GOOD Program founder Ron Derry and his wife Pam.

This event is open to the public. However, the capacity limit for the number of people allowed in the Senior Center is about 250, so doors will close when that number is reached. Cost is $4 per person at the door. Pizza shops interested in entering the challenge should call 833-4728.

Lions To Hold Open House April 14

The members of the Pickerington Lions Club will hold their annual Open House on April 14th at the Pickerington Senior Center, 150 Hereford Drive.

Refreshments will be served at 6:30 PM and the program will begin at 7 PM.

There is NO COST. The public is invited to attend and learn about what the Lions Club does for the Pickerington Community. At this meeting, you will:

Meet a working guide dog and learn how Pilot Dogs Inc., assists the visually impaired;

See what becomes of the thousands of eyeglasses we collect & recycle;

Learn how you can help the Lions Club make a difference;

Meet our new mascot, Roary!

If you are looking for a way to give back to the community or lend a helping hand, please consider joining the Pickerington Lions Club.

In keeping with the Lions Motto "WE SERVE", please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Pickerington Food Pantry.

For more information, contact club president Brian Fox at 614-619-3977.

*********************************************************************************************************

Pickerington Lions Club

wins Service awards at

District convention

March 7, 2011: Pickerington Lions Club members Brian and Lilane Fox attended the recent Lions District 13K Convention in Lancaster, March 4-6.

The Pickerington Lions Club received many awards during the event, including the coveted Humanitarian Award which is presented to clubs that donate to a variety of charitable, civic and medical organizations which are supported by the Ohio Lions.

To be eligible for the award, the Pickerington Lions made donations over the past six months totaling over $8,000 to many individuals and organizations, including: local citizens for eyeglasses and exams, Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank, Ohio Lions Pilot Dogs, Diabetes Association, Ohio Lions Foundation, Eye Research Foundation, Camp Echoing Hills, the GOOD Program for the Pickerington Schools, local needy families at Thanksgiving & Christmas and others.

"The Lions motto is 'We Serve,'" said club president Brian Fox. "We know that the money we give to our targeted organizations will go a long way toward serving people in need," he added.

The club also won the District Service Award which is based upon the number of service projects the club is involved with.

Additionally, club secretary Bob Mauger was honored by receiving the Excellent Secretary Award. The club also received the Best Newsletter Award.

Lions Adopt Family for Christmas

January 3, 2011: Once again the Pickerington Lions Club “adopted” a Fairfield County family in need, helping to provide them a Merry Christmas and some financial relief. Our family this year included a mom and dad and four (going on five) sons. The family experienced a fire last year, losing most of their belongings.

Donations this year conservatively topped $2,000 in value. This included approximately $400 of groceries and household products (laundry soap, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, etc). The family had requested food and household products, and one unusual donation was a sealed smoke & fire detector with a 10-year battery.

The boys each received several items of clothing and shoes (including some lovely baby clothes for the newest member of the family), and at least three “fun” surprises, including new bicycles for the older boys and riding toys for the youngest, science kits and magic tricks, games, Hot Wheels cars, family DVDs, and lots of stocking stuffers. The family also received $150 in a gift card to purchase groceries and other items as needed. In addition, the Lions Club gave seven $50 gift cards to the Child Protective Services for their discretionary use.

This was a major project for our club with over half the members helping out.

Lions Donates Thanksgiving Food For Needy Families

November 19, 2010: The members of the Pickerington Lions Club recently collected over 260 food items in order to create 3 large food baskets for three needy families at Thanksgiving. Each basket contained a variety of canned, boxed and non-perishable food items for a complete Thanksgiving Day meal as well as other meals. The club also supplied each basket with a $50 gift card for the families' use.

The families were suggested to the club by Fairfield County Jobs & Family Services.

*****************************************************************************************************************

9th Annual Lions Pizza Challenge Winners

APRIL 22: Who makes the best pizza in Pickerington? Members of the Pickerington Lions Club set out to find an answer to that question at its Ninth Annual Pizza Challenge held on April 22, 2010, at the PickeringtonSeniorCenter. Ten shops accepted the club's invitation, including Kingy's, Hungry Howie’s, Catalfino’s, Romeo’s, Classics Pizza, Taranto’s, Pizza Hut, Grapevine, Pizza Cottage and Eddie’s Pizza & Deli.

The Challenge was divided into two categories: a "Judges' Choice" and the "Lions' Choice". The challenge was a "blind" taste test, meaning that no one knew what pizzas they were judging.

The winners of the JUDGES CHOICE were:

Catalfino’s (Best Specialty Pizza) Kingy’s (Best Pepperoni Pizza)

Romeo's (2nd Place Best Pepperoni Pizza) Romeo's (Best Sauce)

Taranto’s (2^nd Place Best Specialty Pizza) Kingys (Best Crust)

The winners of the LIONS CHOICE were:

Grapevine (Best Pepperoni Pizza) Taranto’s (Best Sauce)

Eddie’s (2^nd Place Best Pepperoni Pizza) Pizza Hut (Best Crust)

"We really appreciate the community spirit of the shops that were involved," said club president Jo Ann Seaman. "The real winners of this event are the blind and sight-impaired who will be helped by the money raised at the challenge," Seaman added.

The judges for the Pizza Challenge were: County Commissioner Mike Kiger, Pickerington Chamber of Commerce President Helen Mayle, CW Chamber of Commerce President Kim Rankin, Violet Township Fire Chief John Eisel and Kiwanis Club Representative Mike Sabatino.

*****************************************************************************************************************

Lions Club Donations for 2010

MAY 12: The Pickerington Lions Club has donated over $8,000 over the last 12 months to the charitable and civic causes it supports. The club thanks the Pickerington Community for its support and generosity.

The Pickerington Lions Club will hold a “Membership Open House” on May 27, beginning at 6:30 PM at the Pickerington Senior Center, 150 Hereford Drive. Desserts, coffee and other beverages will be served. The public is invited and there is no cost to attend.

The purpose of the event is to inform & educate the public about what the Lions Club is and what it does for the community and beyond. Refreshments will be served beginning at 6:30. A short program will begin at 7 pm.

There will be two or three speakers from various organizations to briefly discuss how Lions have helped make a positive difference in the lives of those less fortunate. Other informational materials will also be available.

For more information on the Open House, call Brian or Lilane Fox at 614-833-4728.