Beltsville Lions Club September 2023

Beltsville Lions and guests at a recent club meeting

The Beltsville Lions celebrated 65 years of service on the evening of 28 June at Sierra’s Grill and Taqueria in Beltsville. Officers for the coming year were sworn in by Past District Governor Bill Lynch, a member of the Laytonsville Lions Club. Officers included President Fatima Barrie, Vice Presidents, Ervin and Mae Whitehead, Secretary Diane “Deedee” Musachio, Treasurer Andy Rolle, Lion Tamer Mike Musachio, Tail Twister Camillo DiCamillo, Membership Chair Ann Ladd, Board members Mary Ann Hanson, Rick Zerbe, Max Zelaya, and Nick Barbieri. Immediate Past President Ted Ladd was also sworn in as a member of the Board of Directors.

Ted Ladd presented a review of Beltsville Lions activities over the years at Emmanuel United Methodist Church on Sunday, 13 August. The review highlighted the club’s successful effort to purchase a van and chairlift for the family of a young lady with multiple sclerosis. That was accomplished through publicity, accumulating generous donations from caring citizens, and the good fortune in locating a late model chairlift-equipped van. Another highlight was the visit by the President of Lions Clubs International to train teams of Lions on starting new Lions Clubs.

On 1 August Club members participated in National Night Out on the grounds of the Beltsville Library. Several members cooked hot dogs for those attending, while others maintained an information table. Several people indicated an interest in learning more about the Lions Club and have since been invited to a club meeting. Membership Chair Ann Ladd will provide information on joining the club. Send her an e-mail at BeltsvilleLions@gmail.com.

On Saturday, 12 August, the Beltsville Lions joined other community groups at Queens Chapel United Methodist Church participating in a health fair. The Lions offered vision screening with equipment provided by the Lions Community Outreach Foundation. It was a wonderful event.

The Club has decided to organize Beltsville Day 2024, and is working with others to hold the function in May 2024. The exact day in May is being negotiated. We plan to have the Lions Mobile Health Unit on site to provide vision, hearing and eye pressure screenings. We hope to see everyone there.