Every Lions Club is looking for an opportunity to develop a new fundraiser that will raise a significant amount of charitable funds, so that they do not have to solicit prospective donors several times each year. The Daybreakers Lions Club of Lake Havasu City, AZ has found just that type of event.
For nearly a year, the Daybreakers worked on putting together a Kansas City Barbeque Society (K.C.B.S.) sanctioned BBQ event at the State Park in Lake Havasu City. Their focus was on finding sponsors who wanted to be associated with the BBQ event and ones who would give significant cash and in-kind donations so the club could turn a profit, or at least, break even in the inaugural year. The clubs initial goal was to have between 25 and 35 professional BBQ teams sign up for the first ever HAVA BBQ London Bridge Style event. They felt they could attract about 3,000 to 5,000 first-time visitors to the free event. They petitioned KCBS to get the opening date west of the Mississippi for the 2010 BBQ year. They were successful in getting the date and they immediately started visiting KCBS events across the west to gather information about putting on such an event. Working with their KCBS representatives, they became intimately familiar with the competitive BBQ world and saw that many events drew thousands of visitors.
As time rolled on, and the close of the 2009 BBQ year approached, the Daybreakers were pleasantly surprised that they had reached their low end goal of more than 25 teams. What they did not realize was that BBQ teams typically wait until just before the event to sign up. During December and January, they were receiving 3 to 5 entries per week. By the end of January, it turned into 2 or 3 a day. In all, 75 Professional BBQ teams signed up for the event by the closing date. This made our event the largest in Arizona. The project had taken on a life of its own. The Daybreakers club is a small group (some 16 members strong) and all of the members work on every project. We're lucky that we get visiting Lions during the winter, to help supplement our roles.
In addition to the BBQ, the Lions assisted KCBS with a sanctioned Judges School the night prior to the start of the BBQ event. They had over 60 certified Judges apply to work at the main BBQ event. In addition, they had some 35 certified Judges attend the school and another 45 first-time Trainee Judges sign up for the class. The criteria of the judges class focuses on judging strategies such as taste, tenderness and appearance of the individual food entries.
The premier sponsor for the event, the Lake Havasu City Convention and Visitor Bureau, was very impressed with the turnout of Teams and Judges from across the United States. A couple of cancellations due to weather conditions and an accident reduced the field to 72 teams from 15 states. Judges (72, one per team) came from 14 states. In addition, there were food vendors (ten) that came from outside the local area.
On Friday and Saturday, the BBQ event was packed with visitors. Estimates of the crowds were in excess of 15,000. Thankfully, KCBS ran the competitive portion of the event. The Lions were left to handling money for food concessions and a beer garden. In hindsight, it would have been nice to have an extra 25 people helping with the actual event.
Our goal was to at least break even the first year, and we far exceeded that goal. It currently looks like we will turn a profit of more that $10,000 for our first event. And that means we will be able to help the community and Lions organizations more this year than we have ever been able to in the past. It's a great feeling, and well worth all the work.
Our goals for next year are to improve the efficiency of the event and to increase the team participation to over 100 BBQ teams. Based on the BBQ team comments from our first event, this is a reasonable goal. We were careful to document our processes so we feel 2011 will be even better than our initial event. The public, as well as the local business community, have expressed a real interest in making future events of this kind even more successful.

The Laveen Lions recently held their 18th Annual Laveen Country Challenge Bicycle Ride on Sunday February 21st. The ride has become a tradition in the community and riders could select one of three distances for their ride. There is the 15 mile family ride, a 30 miler, or, for those distantly challenged, the 62 miler which is commonly called the metric century (100K). Future plans may incorporate a 5 or 10 mile ride for those who find the longer routes a little challenging. (Think youngsters)
The tour travels on paved country roads through the last vestiges of Phoenix farmland, dairies and rural country homes. With the backdrop of South Mountain Park and the Estrella Mountain range, it is almost a step back in time. Riders are greeted by friendly volunteers at each of the well-stocked rest stops. From the traditional fruits and cold drinks to the home-baked cookies and breads, volunteer organizations and community residents deliver warm goodies from their kitchens to satisfy the hunger/thirst of the riders.
When they get back to the starting point (Laveen Elementary School), riders are able to enjoy the town's famous deep-pit BBQ dinner, a dinner that has been served up for 58 years. Yes, that was in 1952 when proceeds went to the then March of Dimes campaign to defeat polio. Also, riders could stroll around the grounds where entertainment, vendor booths, rides, and a Laveen Art exhibit was open in the historic building "A". The BBQ, hosted by the Laveen Community Council, is their major fundraiser benefiting scholarships, youth programs, etc. throughout the community.
Plans are underway to make the 2011 Lions Bike Ride (19th year) even more enjoyable. Contact Lion Vinny Calufetti at (602) 268-0642 or visit our website at www.laveenlions.org

The Sun Village Lions held their 5th annual BBQ on February 22nd. All proceeds go to Camp Tatiyee. Past President Carol Poppe is shown awarding door prizes and informing the audience on the project of the Lions. Over 250 people attended. A silent auction was held in conjunction with the dinner and helped add to the profits and fun for the evening.

PAST INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT KAY K. FUKUSHIMA
TO BE GUEST PRESENTER AT 21A CONVENTION

Kay Fukushima of Sacramento, California was elected to serve as president of the International Association of Lions Clubs at the association's 85th International Convention in Osaka, Japan, July 8-12, 2002. PIP Kay continues to take the initiative to advance Lions in his area and around the world.
Past International President Kay K. Fukushima has agreed to be a presenter at 21A's Convention on March 20th. You will enjoy hearing some of his experiences as International President, but more than that you will gain insight into ways to advance Lionism in your area. He has produced and directed four orientation and recruiting videos (“And the Lions Roar”). He authored the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum Planning Committee operational manual. PIP Kay was a member of the original Leadership Institute Faculty. (For additional positions and awards go to: www.LionsClubs.org and type in Fukushima.)

LUGGAGE  FROM  LIONS by DG Ann Roberts

I want you to picture this:  A 13-year old young woman is moving from one foster care home to another.  You work for the agency that is picking her up.  She comes out to your car with three, disposable black trash bags.  They carry all of her possessions.  How do you think she feels?

What if you could help her and others like her feel better about themselves and it wouldn’t cost you a dime?  Do you think their self-esteem would go up a notch if they could carry their belongings in luggage rather than in trash bags?

Will you and your other club members take up the challenge and collect used, clean luggage?  Here’s what we would like you as a club to do.  If practical, your entire zone should decide on a single recipient organization.  (Otherwise the publicity could be very confusing to the general public.)

·      decide who you want to be the beneficiary of the clean, used luggage.  One suggestion is A New Leaf Foundation*.  If you are looking for a youth program that really could use your help, this is one suggestion.  Your Zone may come up with a difference organization and that certainly is okay.  Rather than a youth organization, it could be a battered women’s shelter, etc.  There are many organizations that would appreciate the luggage that is taking up room in your storage area!

·      establish drop-off location(s) in your area

·      send out letters or make phone calls (friends, neighbors, home-owners association, church, bowling league, Red Hat Ladies, letter to the editor, school bulletin, Daughters of the American Revolution, etc) notifying them of the “Luggage from Lions” Project and the drop-off locations.  A sample letter you can use is being sent to all club presidents.

·      arrange for articles and pictures in your local newspaper, homeowners association bulletin, etc.

·      collect and transport the clean, used luggage directly to the agency of your choice or to the Lions Foundation of Arizona for temporary storage

Lion Dennis Stielow (LionDennis@msn.com) has volunteered to act as coordinator.  This will include getting all drop-off locations and recipients listed on the 21-A website.  If we collect more used luggage than A New Leaf Foundation (or the organization of your choice) feels they can use, the District will help you with an alternate organization.  A *New Leaf Foundation is a 501©3 organization in existence since 1983.  For more information specifically on their youth programs go to:  www.turnanewleaf.org/youthservices.asp  Thanks to Zone Chairman Margie Kelly of 21C for asking DG Ann Roberts if clean, used luggage could be located.

WHAT IS LIBERTY DAY?

Liberty Day is the celebration of the United States Constitution and Declaration of Independence.  It can be any day you choose to celebrate these historic documents.  The month of November is a particularly good time for this celebration with Veterans Day occurring on November 11^th. 

Would your Lions Club like to distribute booklets with these important documents to schools you are working with?  The Question & Answer teaching material that goes along with the pocket sized booklet is written for distribution to 5^th Graders, but it can be adapted to any grade level. 

Please contact Liberty Day 21A Chairman, Lion Andy Lehner (480-371-5014) for details or to help on this important committee.  [Note:  In addition to being Liberty Day Chairman, Andy is President of Surprise Grand Lions.]

LIONS QUEST IN REAL LIFE

Did you know that Lions Quest learning is reflected in adult activities?  Did you know that what is learned in a Lions Quest classroom carries over into “real life”?

As many of you may know I spent the past summer in the company of 721 college students from over 30 different colleges.  David and I sailed with the summer session of Semester of Sea.  We toured the Mediterranean for 68 days, but this is not a travel-log.  I want to tell you about how Lions Quest has relevancy in today’s world.  Recently there was an effort to lower the drinking age in Arizona and across the nation.  College Presidents were in favor of lowering it to 18 years of age.  Fortunately it has not occurred at this time.  On board the ship drinking was very seriously enforced, however once the students reached ports, no restrictions were available except by the individual country’s rules.  Many of the students had internal rules about the amount to drink, but also many students had no limits.  Those students that restricted their alcohol and knew when to quit said it was something taught at home and in schools.   

You are thinking what that has to do with Lions.  As a Lion it is your responsibility to be knowledgeable about Lions Quest and what is occurring within your state with regards to alcohol and drugs.  A recent publication of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) in which Lions Quest partners says: “The adolescent brain is an impressive learning machine.  …..making it essential that we do all we can to support healthy brain development during formative years…..Compelling evidence suggests that heavy alcohol use can interfere with adolescent brain development.”  The article goes on to stress that brain development continues up to age twenty.  Lions Quest Learning Skills support the National Learning Standards and Arizona Learning Standards for making wise choices and healthy choices regarding drugs, alcohol and tobacco. 

In closing, look up the Lions Quest Chairman in your District and find out how you can help them introduce Lions Quest in the school districts that you serve.  The result might save an adolescent’s brain!!