WHEELCHAIR RAMP PROJECT

July 20, 2017

Tracine Farrow, of the Yelm Lions Club, received a call to help a person who needed a wheelchair ramp.  She called the Lacey Sunrise Lions for assistance. Reggie Christen, 976A Tipsoo Loop, Rainier, WA. had an infection that developed into gangrene. He was admitted into the hospital and his leg was amputated.  He was house bound without the use of a ramp.

On July 20^th, members from the Rainier Lions, Yelm Lions, and Lacey Sunrise Lions worked together and constructed a 16 foot ramp.  The project was completed in three hours.

Lions Hours:

            Pat Bucknell             3 Hours         Lacey Sunrise

            John Christensen      3                                  “

            Randy Harris            3                                  “

            Bob Kelley               3                                  “

            Paul Martin              3                                  “

            Charles Cook           3                      Yelm Lions

            Angela Cook            3                                  “

            Christian Beck         2                      Rainier Lions

                        Total           23 Hours

Expense:

            Bayview Lumber    $188.86

            Rolled Roofing           25.00

                        Total            $213.86

 The Yelm Lions Club donated a check for $213.86

Zone Chairman Chris Beck also donated sandwiches and chilled water for everyone.

It was a pleasure working with our neighboring Lions.

Reggie Christen was pleased to be able to exit his house for some fresh air and sunshine.   He thanked everyone many times.

Bob K.

Rainier Lions Club Build a Wheel Chair Ramp

Just before the Bluegrass Festival started, George Johnson received a call from Dave Essency, asking the Lions to build a wheel chair ramp for his neighbor.  Since the Lions were busy getting ready for the Bluegrass Pickin' Party, Dave agreed to wait a couple of weeks for the wheel chair ramp.

George went out this week and picked up the materials for the wheel chair ramp.  Then he
prefabricated parts of the ramp at home, so installation wouldn't take a long time.  It's easier to use tools at home, then cart them to the job site.

This morning Tom Cook, George Johnson and Rainier Lions Club President, Evan Burnett went out and built the wheel chair ramp for Dave's neighbor, Roger Reeves.

The pictures below are of the wheel chair ramp:

 Evan (left on on cell phone) and George (right, facing the camera) working on installing 

the prefabricated wheel chair ramp.

Roger Reeves getting ready to try out his new wheel chair ramp. 

Roger, on the down hill walk!

Success!

Wheelchair Ramp in Rainier

Three Rainier groups got together and put up a wheelchair ramp for a couple in Rainier this weekend.  The aluminum ramp was donated by a fourth group: the Yelm American Legion Post 164. 

Chris Beck (Rainier Lions Club), Wolf Hansen (American Legion Post 264) & George Johnson (Rainier Community Cares) completed most of the installation on Saturday, February 28th.  They came back on Sunday to finish up the final touches.  

Story Below - By:  Chris Beck

It was a WONDERFUL feeling when it was completed and a gorgeous day to spend 5 hours in the sun with a fellow Lion doing a Lion / Legion Service Project and I get double credit :>) Just to fill some details on Mel and Elaine Hopstad, their just retired to Rainier last year and after only several months in their 'retirement cottage'; Elaine fell and broke her hip and she she could not take care of her husband a Navy retired, disabled Vietnam Vet and they both ended up in a nursing home. After her 1st hip replacement failed in short order and she needed another replacement, back they went into the nursing homes and this time the doctors were not letting either go home without a wheel chair ramp. 

The American Legion, Rainier Post 264 service officer, Bev Kevney. (Quentin's wife) called and talked with Elaine at the nursing home and without turning this story into a 'horror novel' about the VA system let me suffice to say all who knew the facts were concerned that after not being in their house for 4+ months it was going to take more effort by someone to make this happen. George Johnson was ready to buy the wood and 'get 'er done' by next week rain or shine and you all know George when his mind is made up!  

Well, I had a line on a VA wheel chair ramp, but I had to catch the right person to get it. That is a lot how the VA wheel chair ramp availability works. Long story short: found it and the 'man' signed for it and called George to help move and erect it. I use the term 'erect' loosely as it was the closest thing we have done since 'Erector Sets' as kids :>) I had a blast and again the most wonderful feeling of relief when it was erected. 

I would like to make 1 tiny suggestion. If George can get neighbor Judy Stancel to keep him updated on heir 'homecoming'; I would like the Rainier Lions and American Legion to give this couple ( that themselves have never asked for anything)  a welcome home to Rainier party!  What do you all think?

Yours in Service,  Chris Beck, RLC Tail Twister and American Legion member

Chris Beck (left) & Wolf Hansen (right)

George Johnson

George Johnson & Chris Beck

Chris Beck (left) & Wolf Hansen (right)

Wolf Hansen & the "RAMP!"

MEETING MINUTES 10-14-2013

MEAL 6:30-7 P.M.  We served meatloaf, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, rolls, butter & cake.  (Beverages choices were soda, water, coffee, tea or milk.)  

7 P.M. MEETING

Pledge of Allegiance

Sing:  AMERICA

KL George:  PRAYER

JFK:  “Change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”

  

JFK:  “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.”

   

KL George Johnson:

Guests:  Walt Dohring, Tami Clark, Ida Boesch & family, John Kirry, Clay Morse

1.  Playground Expansion:  Faith Boesch spoke about her idea for expanding the playground at Rainier Elementary school.  She and her brother, Johnnie, attend other sports functions in the area - through school activities.  She noticed that most other playgrounds are very fun to play on.  She thought "why can't we have a playground like this at our school?"  She talked this over with her parents.  She wrote a letter to superintendent Tim Garchow and he liked her idea.  

In the last 1 1/2 years her idea has gone from the research phase - finding out about playground equipment suppliers and what was available - to the grant writing fundraising phase.  Now the whole community is becoming excited about the expansion of the Rainier Elementary School Playground!  

Below is the video she made for the Ellen DeGeneres:

Please help Faith spread the news!

Julia Motioned to donate money to the Playground Expansion.  Linda J. seconded the motion.  Evan Burnett suggested a donation of $250.00.  The motion was carried unanimously.

George & I have placed donation jars in several businesses around town.  Brenda is placing some in the teachers lounges and different areas in the Rainier Schools.  So far they have over $600 in donations - not including our donation today.  The fundraising started about 2 weeks ago.  We hope to have the playground expansion completed before school is out. One of the concerns of parents is to have part of the playground covered.  We are hoping to exceed the minimum amount required to put in the addition and cover the existing playground, too.

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

2.  John Kirry – 1^st Vice District Gov. Spoke about being a Lion.  How he was in the Air Force, then became a commercial pilot.  He moved to Gig Harbor in 2006 and became a Lion.  One of his favorite projects is LERC.  He's our 1st District Vice Governor.  

3.  Wheel Chair Ramp:  Brenda.  Brenda Flaherty has had a request for the Rainier Lions Club to help make a wheelchair ramp for a 19 year old girls with a brain tumor.  60% of her tumor was removed a couple of years ago from her brain stem.  It is growing again, which is effecting her gross motor skills and mobility, particularly on her left side.  She cannot walk up stairs.  She wants to walk (using a walker) as long as she can before she goes into a wheel chair.  

1. Clay Morse has a friend who works for EZ Access.  They design and make ramps.  (Clay will follow-up.)
2. There is also a person, Bernie Lincoln  at Rainier Chapel who has offered to design a ramp, but the church would need some help in paying for the materials.  (Brenda will follow-up.)
3. Bob Kelly (Lion) and Lacey Sunrise Lions also make wheel chair ramps.  So all of these options are being looked into.  (Evan or Chris will follow-up.)

4.  “Why I am a Lion” Art Runyan  Art and his wife, Charlotte, moved to Rainier over 21 years ago.  They belong to many clubs, when they lived in University Place.  Their neighbor wanted to start a Lions Club in Rainier, and they became 2 of the charter members.  They enjoy the social activities and fun we have together.  They have stayed on as active Lions members because we do so much for our community.  He's amazed at how much we do!

5.  Essay Contest & Peace Poster:    Julia Green  George is handling the Peace Poster contest.  Julia is handling the Essay Contest. Julia said that the paperwork has been delivered to Rainier High School for the essay contest, but no one has entered, so they decided to offer the contest to Eagle View Christian School.   Barbie Ballou is very excited about having both contests at Eagle View Elementary School.  George emailed the paperwork to Barbie.  We're waiting to get the final response from the teachers there.  There is about a 1 in 20 chance of winning the essay contest.  The prizes offered are airfare to Japan, Europe or South America (winner's choice) and being a guest at a Lions house in the foreign country of their choice for 4 to 6 weeks (plus spending money.)  The prize for the Peace Poster Contest is a trip to the UN General Assembly and $5000.

6.  Memorial:  Chris Beck.  The Veterans Memorial in Rainier is managed by the City of Rainier.  There are 5 vets who do not have their names or pictures on the memorial wall.  Chris will make a formal presentation about this and how the Lions can contribute to this project.

7.  Update on Fuji Apples:  George  There are still a few people who need to pick up their boxes of apples.  George announced how much the Lions Club earned and that we will have a few extra boxes to donate to the Food Bank and Senior Center.

8.  Eagle View Christian School update on their fundraisers & PPC

9.   Leader Dogs $250  The cost of a Leader Dog (to be trained, etc.) runs over $30,000 per dog.  Sight is our primary mission as a Lions Club, so our group decided to donate again this year.  Evan motioned to donate $500 to Leader Dogs this year.  Brenda seconded the motion.  The motion was carried unanimously.

10.  Halloween in the park:

• Brenda chair
• Rainier ROCS

The students in Rainier ROCS (Rainier Organization of Caring Students) are very excited about dressing up & decoration the covered area in  for Halloween in "BOO-owski Park.  They are planning on having a "THRILLER FLASH MOB."  There are many businesses who are going to be serving treats to the children who come!  (Ginger Street, Froggy Trader, Main Street Cookies, Turner Automotive, Sportsman's Club and more.....)

11.  Christmas Tree Sales may be able to be placed at the Rainier Hardware Store parking lot.  Clay Morse is making arrangements to acquire the building - to make into a youth community & training center.  Glenda's Espresso will stay in the parking lot.  Say your prayers for the youth center.  

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

  

UPCOMING EVENTS

Oct 18, 19, 25 & 26:  6 – 9 PM Family Friendly Haunted House – Bucoda  $3.00 or 3 cans of food

Oct 18, 19, 25 & 26:  8 – 11 PM – Sportsman’s Club Haunted Trail $5 per person or donate a bike, blanket or coat

Oct 19:  Packing apples @ Fairgrounds  8 AM - 12 Noon & 1 PM - 5 PM

Oct 24:  LERC

Oct 31:  Halloween in the Park

Holiday Bazaars: 

Nov 8 & 9 9 AM – 4 PM

Nov 23:  Sportsman’s Club 10 AM – 4 PM

Dec 6 & 7:  Caroling for Cans

Dec 13:  Lions Christmas Party

  

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