Northwest LERC - Thank You Letter

We received a thank you letter from the President of Northwest Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center, Pat Baron for our donation to their center.  

Together we're making a difference!

First Eyeglass Recycle Drop-Off Collection

George and I picked up the glasses left in the Rainier Lions Club's NEW LERC Eyeglass Recycle Drop-Off Box.   

TODAY - 

We picked up 21 pairs of used eyeglasses for LERC! 

We're continually amazed at the love and support the citizens of Rainier show for people in need.  For such a small community - Rainier does a lot!

Thank you, Rainier!!!

NEW!!! LERC Drive-Up Drop Off Box in Rainier

Got any old, used eyeglasses that you don't need anymore???  LERC cleans and reads the lens prescriptions and sends them out to needy people in third world countries.  You can drive up and drop off your old eyeglasses in our new donation box. George Johnson made and attached it to our sign that is located in the parking lot of Rainier Chapel.

THANK YOU, GEORGE!

Changing Lives One Pair of Glasses at a Time

Pictured: Bernice Beck from the Rainier Lions working at a lensometer at Northwest LERC (Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center) in Olympia WA.

The Rainier, Yelm and Roy Lions donate time at the Northwest Lions Recycling Center located in Olympia. Club members volunteer their time at the center - sorting, washing and drying used eyeglasses. The eyeglasses then go a technician who reads the prescription using a lensometer. Then the technician packages and labels each pair of glasses.  Glasses are shipped to one of over 200 mission’s worldwide. Even broken and scratched glasses are recycled to help pay for the overhead of the center.  There are only 5 eyeglass recycling centers across the country.

Since 2004, the LERC center in Olympia has processed over 1,500,000 pairs of glasses and distributed over 150,000 pairs to missions in third world countries. Over 45,000 hours of time have been donated to the center in Olympia by, Lions, students and concerned citizens.

 Recycle your old eyeglasses, reading glasses as well as prescription glasses.  Check out those drawers and boxes on closets shelves and donate the gift of good sight. Eyeglasses can be donated to any Lion or look for donation boxes at local area businesses. Boxes are located at Safeway, Tim's Pharmacy, Jim Bob’s restaurant, and many other Yelm locations. In Rainier at Ginger Street, Senior Center, Thrift Store, Rainier Barber Shop and Rainier Emergency Food Center.

If you are interested in helping or would like to make a donation please contact a Lion or The Northwest Lions Recycling Center located at 9013 Mullen Rd S.E., Olympia, WA. 98513, or call 360-923-2075.

You can also get more information be visiting the web site at www.lionsnwlerc.org

Meeting Minutes for 10/28/2013

MEAL 6:30-7 P.M.

7 P.M. MEETING

Pledge of Allegiance

Sing:  AMERICA

KL George:  PRAYER

Carl Jung:  “You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.”

Robert Powell:  “The most worthwhile thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others.”

KL George Johnson:

Guests Speakers:  Shine Specialties, Rainier Emergency Food Center, Bill Miller

Guests:  Dorothy Payne, Dick Plantner, Jim & Laurie Shine, Bill Miller, Chris Fanton, Danny Kruse,Walter Dohring, Nadine

Members:  Evan Burnett, Chris & Bernice Beck, George & Linda Johnson, Terri & Bill Rendahl, Dawn Kenny (& her 3 children), Bud & Julia Green (& their 2 children), Brenda Flaherty, Kay Bryant, 

1.  Shine Specialties:  30 Min  - This local company made our Bluegrass Tee-shirts for 2013.  They did a great job, using 2 colors.  They were affordable and their outstanding quality was 

  the reason we invited them to speak to our group, local businesses in the area as well as           members from other Lions Clubs in MD-19.  

Shine is a home-based business that started almost 6 years ago.  This business is their "10 year retirement plan" and their mission in everything they do - is to Glorify God.  Being a home-based business, they have very low overhead costs, which they pass on to their customers.  They only pay for their materials and the loan on some of the equipment they purchased in order to do business.  They hope to have their equipment paid off soon.

Laurie said that she prides herself in providing excellent customer service.  Their turnaround time rate is very quick.  Their motto is:  "If you can think it, we can ink it!"

Some of the products they produce are:  Poly metal signs (road signs), first aid kits, buttons, mugs, jugs, trophies, award plaques, bags, Clear NFL stadium bags (no registered trademarks), tee-shirts, bracelets, thumb rings, temporary tattoos, hats, decals - there are over 700,000 different products to choose from.  (We have their catalog, if you'd like to see it.)

2.  Rainier Food Bank:  10 Min

REFC is the largest satellite food bank in Thurston County, of their 18 satellite food banks, serving over 200 families per week.  They get almost all of their food from outside the Rainier area from:  Trader Joe's, Costco, Safeway, TFAB (Federal program) etc.  They receive a lot of fresh produce from the Rainier Community Garden, which donated over 1400 pounds of freshly grown produce to REFC this year.  Local farmers donate fresh eggs, produce and meat.  

Nothing that is donated to the food bank is wasted.  NOTHING!  If it goes "bad" they give it to farmers to feed to their livestock or put in their compost pile - which comes back to the food bank in the form of fresh food.

The REFC provides food to Crossroads, Emanuel Lutheran Church, Tenino Heritage Baptist Food Bank, Rainier preschools & day care centers.  48% of the people that come into our food bank are from Yelm, or areas just outside of Rainier.  (McKenna, Roy, Tenino, etc.)

REFC applied for their 501-c3 status, but they haven't received their paperwork, yet.  They've been told that they're approved, but they haven't received their paperwork, yet.  They applied and were approved in January.  Without their 501-c3 certification, they cannot apply for grants. That being said, they are paying approximately $1300 - $1400 per month in expenses.  Their rent, which includes water, heat & electricity, is $400 per month.  The majority of their other expenses go to paying for gas for their vehicles - which are needed to pick up food in Lacey, Olympia & Tumwater.  

TO DONATE TO the Rainier Emergency Food Center go to: 

http://rainierfoodbank.weebly.com/

3.  Wheel Chair Ramp Update: Brenda  The area for the ramp to be put in has been cleared out and is ready for the Fire Department to build and install.  The ramp will be finished the weekend of November 9th.  

4.  “Why I am a Lion” Bud & Julia   -  Bud spoke about why he became a member of the Rainier Lions Club.  He & his wife, Julia, were considering moving out of the area - because of the lack of community here.  They wanted what is best for their young children.  They looked at all of their choices.  They decided to stay and become a part of "the solution."  When their son, Dameon wanted to become a Cub Scout, they found there were no troops in town.  They asked several groups to "Charter the Scouts" and they all said "NO."  Then Bud asked George & Rod from the Lions.  They said "YES!  WHY NOT?"  The rest is history.  One thing led to another and here they are - Loyal Lions!  

5.  Halloween in the Park: Brenda  The Rainier ROCS are very excited about Halloween in the Park.  They have posters plastered all around the school!  The Girl Scouts are bring several cars for "Trunk-or-Treat" and the Rainier Community Garden will have a "Trick-or-Eat" bin where people can donate their non-perishable foods to the food bank.  There are several businesses & civic groups who will be giving out treats at B0000-kowski park.  Come join us for a great time!

6.  Tents:  George  - We're meeting in the Red Barn - in Rainier to gather the tents and give them out to the troops!  SEE YOU THERE!

7.  LIONS Display Board: George  - We need at tri-fold cardboard display board about the Rainier Lions Club.  Anyone that wants to work on one, contact George.

8.  Interest in other groups:  George - We have many civic groups in town.  Join one, or just visit one.  We are in this community TOGETHER.  Let's communicate and partner with one another!

9.  Christmas Party Dec 13^{th -}   

10.  Do we want to adopt a Christmas project or join one that already exists?  Fire Auxiliary, Food Bank?   We decided to talk to the pastor at Rainier Chapel and donate to one of their families as well as the Rainier Fire Auxiliary.

11.  Essay recap - no applicants, so far

12.  New Businesses in town - Please support our new businesses in town:  Bikini Bottom Tanning Salon & Retro Candy Shoppe, Pupper's Pet Supply & Rainier Market.  The first two businesses opened in October.  The market plans to open December 1.  Whoo-Hoo!

13.  School playground drive - Over $1000 earned so far & counting!!!! 

14.  LERC:  "We help people, one pair of glasses at at time!"  Bill Miller

INFORMATION:

City Council meets 2^nd & 4^th Tues. at 7:00 PM

Senior Center Lunch:  Mon & Wed at noon $2.50 each

Together:  1^st & 2^nd Wed 5 PM City Hall

Rainier Food Bank: Food available Wed & Sat 9 – 12

Sportsman’s Club – 1^st Monday @ 7 PM

Rainier Community Gardens 1^st Monday RHS

Rainier Community Cares – 1^st & 2^nd Wed. @ 2^nd portable by RMS

City Council – 2^nd & 4^th Tues. @ 7 PM

Historical Soc. – 3^rd Thurs. @ 6:30 PM

Valley Heart Breakfast – 4^th Sat 9 – 11 AM – Free – farm fresh sausage & eggs, fresh fruit, homemade biscuits - great food!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Oct 31:  Halloween in the Park

Holiday Bazaars: 

Nov 8 & 9:  9 AM – 4 PM Historical Soc.
Nov 9: The Young Life Dinner & Auction @ New Life Christian Center 13035 Morris Rd SE, Yelm.                  Doors open @ 5 PM, Dinner at 6 PM.  Tickets are $25 per person.

Nov 16:  Bazaar at Rainier Chapel

Nov 23:  Sportsman’s Club 10 AM – 4 PM
Nov 23:  White Elephant Bazaar at Rainier Emergency Food Center
Nov 23:  Bazaar at Lake Lawrence

Dec 6:  City Hall Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Dec 10:  Lions Night at the Theater 7:55 PM

Dec 13:  Lions Christmas Party

Dec 14:  Caroling for Cans

Dec 20:  New Life Auction & Dinner 5 – 7 PM

Support Our: Rainer Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts

LERC Today

Rainier Lions,

The time to volunteer for LERC has been moved from the 6 PM to 9:30 AM today.  If you want to help at LERC tonight, you'll need to contact Bill Miller and make arrangements with him to meet you at the LERC building.

Thanks,
George

LERC Last Wednesday Evening

Evan B, Bernice B, George J and I went to LERC last Wednesday night.  We cleaned and sorted glasses.

It was an amazing experience.  I've never seen so many different types and styles of glasses!  There are glasses that you can fold and bend without mutilating them!  There are colorful, designer glasses - as well as very classy looking Ralph Lauren & Tommy Hilfiger glasses.  Glasses that have gold plating - as well as titanium glasses.  The wrap around sun glasses were awesome.  Many of the glasses were perfect, without any scratches or damage at all.

Bill Miller was there to instruct us on how to clean and sort the glasses after they were washed in the dishwasher.  Listening to him was fun and interesting.  Here are a couple of things we learned:  

• The glasses that were outside of the standards that are set up by the missions that request them.  
• Glasses with gold plating are sent out to have the gold recovered.  We get paid for the gold.
• Some "coke bottle" glasses are not sent out to missions.
• Glasses without lenses are not used.  They are sent out.
• There is optometrist equipment to read the prescriptions of the lenses.  Once read, the glasses are put in plastic bags and labeled.  From there the glasses are organized in boxes.
• Readers (non prescription - magnification glasses) are given to people, too.
• Glasses that are badly scratched or scratched in the field of vision are set aside.
• We can't give out women's "low riders" as there have been fights between women over these kinds of glasses.  Incredible?  The winner would end up with the low rider glasses whether it helped her to read better, or not.  Vanity is alive and well - even in third world countries.  

We all had a very good time working at LERC.  (Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center)  Any Lion who works 20 hours during the Lion year - gets a LERC pin.  This is the only way to earn this pin.  I highly recommend volunteering for LERC.  Time flies there!  It seemed like we had just arrived, when we left.  We laughed and visited all evening long!  Come join us!