(Cushing, Okla.) Russ Thurman, President of the local Lions Club International, called the meeting to order today at 12:09 p.m. The agenda started with song and pledge by Jerry Snyder. This was followed by requests for prayers and the prayer.
Lions Club then welcomed all the guests that came including Troy Jenkins District Governor for Lions Club.
Lion of the day – Tom Cummings told everyone about the special Birthday Party that the club was having today for Lion R.G. (Hoppy) Hauptfleisch.
Hauptfleisch, who was being recognized for his 98th birthday (that was July 27th, 2015), was played a special birthday song (unlike any other). He was a past District Governor for Lions, and a member of the club since 1951. He was sponsored by Oliver Kinzie, 64 years ago. When Hauptfleisch was asked what was one of the best things he thought had been accomplished, his response was that they had let women join and if it wasn’t for the ladies, the club would have died a long time ago!
Cummings went onto to tell the club a little bit about Lions Club history: including facts like the Lions Club was founded in 1917 by Melvin Jones, and the first Lions Convention was held in Dallas, Texas in 1917. He went onto say that in 1920 Helen Keller challenged the Lions to be Knights of the blind (the Lions are a “sight first” club). The first eye bank was started in New York City in 1944 and the International “We Serve” motto was adopted by the club in 1954. In 1956 a six year old blind child was given a drum set, that child was Stevie Wonder and in 1957 the Leo’s Club was started. All of these facts and more were given.
Russ Thurman presented Hauptfleisch with a 2015-2016 Indian Blanket Wildflower insignia pin.
A short board meeting followed discussing Lions Club staffing.
The meeting adjourned around 12:48 (p.m.).
Cushing Lions Club meets each Tuesday at noon in the Lion’s Den in downtown Cushing.
For more information about Lions Club International https://www.lcif.org
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