Berlin Lions Club reaches out to community with special banquet
The motto of Lions Club International is “We Serve” and they are known for fundraisers that assist underdeveloped countries throughout the world. The local chapter, however, wanted to take that philosophy of serving one step further and meet the needs of the community right here in Holmes County.
The Berlin Lions Club will be hosting a free widow/widowers banquet for anyone wishing to attend, Jan. 28, at the Berlin Fire Station. The luncheon begins at noon and will feature an Italian menu, including lasagna, salad, bread and cheesecake for dessert, as well as a fun bingo session with prizes following the meal.
“The Berlin Lions Club is a community organization,” explained Karen Marner, president. “Last year, we thought we’d do a wintertime banquet for the widows and widowers in the area. It’s kind of a ‘blah’ time of year... and I think people feel isolated sometimes. This is just a good way to reach out in the winter.”
This is the second year for the banquet, which Marner hopes to grow into something much larger than originally planned. Although the first year was very well received by the community at large, only a small group of individuals attended the luncheon. This was expected, explained Marner, as it was a new concept in Berlin, but she further said those who did attend said they would be back, with friends, for this year’s event.
“It was something that the people who came just loved and said they’d tell other people about it for this year,” Marner said. “There were people there that were very recently widowed, and I think it was good for them to get out and also see all the other people in the community who are active and in the same situation.”
A bingo game is scheduled for after the meal, and will include approximately 40 prizes that Susan Yoder, Berlin Lions vice president, picked up recently. Prizes include things like bath sets, thermos cups, and flashlights.
The best part about the whole event though, is the fact that nobody is expected to pay anything for the delicious meal or prizes during bingo. The Berlin Lions widow/widowers banquet is a time for community involvement and fellowship.
Although Lions Club International often provides worldwide help, through donations that provide seeing eye dogs or eyeglasses to other countries, their mission also implies that they serve those around them who may need help just as much as those in another part of the world. Locally, the Berlin Lions Club continues to work on the Berlin Park, a larger endeavor that requires a little more help from the community, as well as host events such as the widow/widowers banquet.
“This banquet is simply something to do without us getting anything back at all,” Marner said. “This is just to serve the people in the community that deserve a good time, a good day out, a good meal and to get to know each other.”
For those who wish to get involved in the Berlin Lions Club, or for more information on the widow/widowers banquet or Berlin Park project, questions can be answered by calling Susan Yoder at 330-231-5842 or Karen Marner at 330-231-5942. Although the widow/widowers banquet is no charge, reservations are required.
The Berlin Lions Club will be hosting a free widow/widowers banquet for anyone wishing to attend, Jan. 28, at the Berlin Fire Station. The luncheon begins at noon and will feature an Italian menu, including lasagna, salad, bread and cheesecake for dessert, as well as a fun bingo session with prizes following the meal.
“The Berlin Lions Club is a community organization,” explained Karen Marner, president. “Last year, we thought we’d do a wintertime banquet for the widows and widowers in the area. It’s kind of a ‘blah’ time of year... and I think people feel isolated sometimes. This is just a good way to reach out in the winter.”
This is the second year for the banquet, which Marner hopes to grow into something much larger than originally planned. Although the first year was very well received by the community at large, only a small group of individuals attended the luncheon. This was expected, explained Marner, as it was a new concept in Berlin, but she further said those who did attend said they would be back, with friends, for this year’s event.
“It was something that the people who came just loved and said they’d tell other people about it for this year,” Marner said. “There were people there that were very recently widowed, and I think it was good for them to get out and also see all the other people in the community who are active and in the same situation.”
A bingo game is scheduled for after the meal, and will include approximately 40 prizes that Susan Yoder, Berlin Lions vice president, picked up recently. Prizes include things like bath sets, thermos cups, and flashlights.
The best part about the whole event though, is the fact that nobody is expected to pay anything for the delicious meal or prizes during bingo. The Berlin Lions widow/widowers banquet is a time for community involvement and fellowship.
Although Lions Club International often provides worldwide help, through donations that provide seeing eye dogs or eyeglasses to other countries, their mission also implies that they serve those around them who may need help just as much as those in another part of the world. Locally, the Berlin Lions Club continues to work on the Berlin Park, a larger endeavor that requires a little more help from the community, as well as host events such as the widow/widowers banquet.
“This banquet is simply something to do without us getting anything back at all,” Marner said. “This is just to serve the people in the community that deserve a good time, a good day out, a good meal and to get to know each other.”
For those who wish to get involved in the Berlin Lions Club, or for more information on the widow/widowers banquet or Berlin Park project, questions can be answered by calling Susan Yoder at 330-231-5842 or Karen Marner at 330-231-5942. Although the widow/widowers banquet is no charge, reservations are required.
Published: January 5, 2012
