Rainier Lions Club Regular Meeting – March 14, 2016

Regular Meeting – March 14, 2016

Attendance:  President Evan Burnett, Linda Lazelle, Tom and Bobbie Cook, Bernice and Chris Beck,    Riley Whitney – RHS Scholarship Applicant, parents Robert and Tamara Hanna.

Bobbie Cook provided the Lions Treasurer’s Reports for the Administrative Account & Activities Account.

Rainier High School Senior and Lion’s Club Scholarship applicant Riley Whitney introduced his parents, than told us why he is applying for a scholarship.  Riley is a running start student at South Puget Sound Community College.  Upon graduation from RHS, Riley will have his Associate’s degree and has already been accepted to Central Washington University, Ellensburg.  

From there Riley plans to transfer and continue his educational goal – agricultural law – at a college or university in Idaho eventually returning to western Washington.  Riley had been in 4-H, now is active in FFA and has extensive experience working with animals, farming, etc. 

Riley has helped the Rainier Lions with the Grapefruit project, Caroling for Cans and will help with Highway Clean-up in April.

Chris is working on planter boxes to donate to the Rainier Education Foundation auction (March 26, 2016 starting at 3:30 PM) and is in contact with John Lybecker, wood and metal shop instructor at the Rainier Schools.

Bernice will have a basket put together for the MD19 C Spring Convention Silent Auction to be held April 1-2 at the Red Lion in Olympia

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Officer Nominations for 2016-2017:  Tom Cook, President; Chris Beck, Vice-President; Treasurer, Bobbie Cook.  Positions needing to be filled include Secretary, Lion Tamer, Tail Twister and Membership Chair. 

The newly formed Budget Committee will report to the members at the April 25^th meeting.Snacks and food for the Rainier Students was discussed.  Chris offered to talk to Tim Garchow at the school and Juliette Pia to see what the needs are.  Tom made a motion for a $200 limit for food purchase until more is known. Motion was seconded and carried.

Chris asked for a letter from RLC to present to the Safeway manager asking for apples, etc.

Lions Sight and Hearing Van will be at the Rainier Elementary School Tuesday, March 29.  We need to be there by 8:30 AM.  Tom, Bobbie, Linda Lazelle, Bernice and Chris are on the list to help so far.

The Rainier HS Top 5 Dinner is scheduled at Emma’s in Yelm May 11^th.

Evan reminded us of upcoming events – Spanapark Lions Bowling Fundraiser Sunday, March 20^th; Tacoma SE Lions Potato Bake fundraiser April 9, 1-5 PM and the REF dinner auction March 26.

Leader Dogs sent a request for the annual donation.

April 11^th at 7 PM is a Blackwood Legacy concert scheduled at the Rainier Chapel.  All agreed to cancel our general meeting and for those interested, can attend the concert. 

Board meeting Monday, March 21, will be held at Emma’s, Yelm, 6 PM.

Rainier High School student Zachary Miller, RLC scholarship applicant, will be a guest at our Monday, March 28 meeting.

Meeting adjourned.

Bernice Beck

Secretary, Rainier Lions Club

South County Spring Youth Forum

On behalf of Rainier Community Cares, Mayor Randy Schleis, and the staff and students from Rainier School District #307, I want to extend a sincere “Thank You” to everyone who participated in our South County Youth Forum on  Wednesday, May 21, 2014.  

It’ was an honor to emcee the event.  This type of event strengthens all involved, as it helps us to understand the responsibilities that we all have to our communities and country. 

Our county officials showed enthusiasm when answering the questions presented by our high school students.  Their input gave our students a great insight into the complexity of the positions that they hold.  The Youth Forum experience will help to make everyone who attended better citizens.

We all appreciate everyone fitting our Youth Forum into their busy schedules.  We look forward to more of this type of interaction in the years to come.  

Thank you all for a very positive and informative event.  We had a great turnout!

Family BINGO Night!!!!

TIM GARCHOW is calling the BINGO numbers!!!!

Coffee with cops meets again in Rainier

Coffee with cops took place, in Rainier, for the second time this past Tuesday night.  It was standing room only at Sonja’s Restaurant, as concerned area citizens met with Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza, Under Sheriff Tim Braniff and Lieutenant Paul Counts.  Again, a one hour scheduled exchange of information session lasted over two hours. Superintendent of Schools, Tim Garchow, Councilman Denise McVey and Juliette Pia from Rainier community care were among the many that offered input into the conversations.

The two way exchange of information helped both citizens and deputies better understand the concerns and problem’s facing the Rainier community.  Deputy Counts commented on what a great job Garchow and Pia have been doing with our communities youth and that more citizen involvement in community activities will help strengthen the community and our youth.

Thurston county sheriff’s department has .5 deputies for every 1,000 citizens.  1 deputy per 1,000 would be a much better ratio and would help greatly with response times. We live in the 6th most populous county in the state.  Arrests have been made on area burglaries and has consequently caused the crime rate to drop in the Rainier area.

Suggestions were made that  more emphasis on “crime watch.” Citizen awareness and involvement, with good proactive preparation, help reduce crime. Keep an eye on neighbors’ homes, keep property visible from the street, better lighting, and surveillance cameras at area businesses - all help reduce burglaries. 

We need to call whenever we see illegal activities going on.  When calling 911 please clearly relate as much information as possible.  A good description of persons involved, license plate number and color of vehicle as well as the reason for the call.  The more information the better the help to the deputies in responding to any situation. 

The Sheriff was asked about his support of the second amendment.   He stated firmly that he supports all rights that the American Constitution bestows on us, including the right to bare arms.

In response to a question, it was pointed out that County Commissioner Sandra Romero holds monthly meetings in Yelm as well as Rainier where the community discusses current topics with local citizens.  It was asked if she could schedule an occasional evening meeting, so that more citizens might attend.

“Coffee with a Cop” seems to be working well in the community; bringing a much better understanding of how proactive involvement help everyone in preventing crime. I’m sure that we will hear much more about reestablishing a good community watch program city wide as more citizens become aware of the impact that they can have in preventing crime.

The next scheduled “coffee with cops'” will be on March 18th at 6 PM. Bring a friend and meet  some of Thurston Counties finest. 

Playground Fundraiser for Rainier "COINS for KIDS"

Today George & I met with Juliette Pia (of Rainier Community Cares / Together) & Ida Boesch to discuss the new playground addition to Rainier Elementary School.

Please help Faith spread the news!

We're very excited to let you know that we're having Coins for Kids change drives going on right now throughout Rainier to get the funds to build the addition to our local playground.  There will be change collection jars in our schools, classrooms and local businesses (soon), so everyone can contribute!

There are three housing developments near Rainier Elementary School.  Children of all ages use the existing playground all year around.  This expansion will give our children a fun, safe place to play.  Playing outdoors is important for the development of large motor skills, social skills and healthy exercise.

If you'd like to make a tax deductible contribution to the Rainier Playground please call:

Ida Boesch (360) 446-6034  or email her at: idaboesch@gmail.com

You can make out a tax deductible check to:  Rainier Elementary School - and note on the check that the donation is for the "Playground."  You can mail your check or drop it off at the school at: 

Rainier Elementary School  

600 Third Street West  
PO Box 98
Rainier, WA 98576

(Put "Playground" in the notation on the bottom left hand side.)

You may also call the school at:  (360) 446-4020

NOTE:  This fundraiser has been approved by:

              Superintendent of Rainier Public Schools, Tim Garchow.

Remember to drop off your "Coins for Kids" today!