The Saratoga Springs Lions Club Military Veterans

“WE SERVE”…The motto of the largest service organization in the world-A group of over 1.35 million members, 46,000 clubs in 208 countries.  They call themselves Lions.

 Lions Clubs are best known around the world for their volunteer activities related to sight, hearing conservation, fighting diabetes, youth development and finally, community development.

 As the Memorial Day 2014 Holiday weekend is upon us, every American should be thankful that there is another group of very special individuals, committed to serving.   Without the efforts and sacrifices of these men and women, throughout centuries of history, the lives of all of us would be very different.  Lions Clubs  would not exist.  Our communities would not exist.

The Saratoga Springs Lions Club is proud of the fact that we have 15 club members that chose to serve their Country and continue to serve others in Lionism.    We are better organization because of them.  Saratoga Springs is a better community because of them.

Today,  we pay a special tribute and honor our Veteran members as well as their brothers and sisters in arms.

A SARATOGA SPRINGS LIONS CLUB ROLL CALL TO OUR VETERANS

Robert Kazalski – Airforce

Walter Doyle -Army

Dave Carr Sr. – Army

Merle Bonthuis-Navy

Louis Schneider – Army

Bill Fraley- Army

George Igler-Army

Ken Martin- Army

Nicholas Palmetto-Arm

Richard Reeves- Navy

Michael Stoneback- Navy

Robert Boram – Army

Frederick Castiglione- Army

Russ Terpening- Army

Marvin Crystal – Air Force

 

YOU GUYS ROCK!

Saratoga Lion Randy Martin presents Brian Fredette (right) the prestigious Robert Uplinger Award.

The Saratoga Springs Lions Club is pleased to announce the recognition of a longtime Lion Brian Fredette, for his many years of service, leadership and dedication to the highest ideals of Lionism.  Fredette a twenty seven year member of the Saratoga Club,  was the recipient of  the prestigious Robert Uplinger Award, and was honored at a club Luncheon, at Lillians in Saratoga Springs, on May 1st.

Brian has served as president for both the club and its foundation which he helped establish in 2003.   He has also served as both the clubs and foundations treasurer and has always been an active and dedicated leader of both the club and its foundation.  Brian was also a key part of a Lions Club Team responsible in bringing three New York State conventions to Saratoga.  When it comes to serving others through Lionism, the word “NO” is not in Brian’s vocabulary.  The Fredette family includes his wife Kathleen and three daughters, Julie,Christine,and Kelly.

 “I am extremely honored to receive the Robert Uplinger Award.  The Saratoga Springs Lions Club has been an extremely successful non-profit  because of a team effort of many individuals not any one individual.   We are driven by the common to serve other less fortunate.  It’s been my privilege to work alongside so many  good people… and a heck of a lot of fun too !

Brian Fredette   

Robert Uplinger was a longtime honored member of the Syracuse Lions Club.  In 1971 he was elected President of the International Associations of Lions Clubs.  Uplinger represented the best of best in terms of Lionism Ideals.

Charles V. Wait Jr., Executive Vice President of The Adirondack Trust Company presents sponsorship check to Saratoga Springs Lions, Tom Bogohsian, Dave Carr Jr., and Russ Terpening.

The Saratoga Springs Lions Club makes an impact on lives through the funds we raise and distribute in our community.   Support from and partnerships with  Saratoga County Businesses is absolutely critical to the successful execution of our mission… To serve others.

The Lions Club is extremely please to announce a major sponsorship partner for The 10th Annual Lions Club Duathlon, to be held May 25, 2014, at The Saratoga Casino and Raceway.   The Adirondack Trust Company  has agreed to return to the event as a major sponsor.

“The Saratoga Springs Lions Foundation is thrilled to have the Adirondack Trust Company as a premier sponsor of our 10^th annual Duathalon. This major fundraising event of the Foundation has grown to over 400 participants and it is also important to recognize that the Adirondack Trust Company was a major sponsor of our inaugural event.”

 

Tom Bogohosian- Saratoga Lions Foundation President

The event which features over 400 athletes and 150 volunteers is the Saratoga Lion’s Club Foundation largest fund raising event.  One hundred percent of all funds raised go directly back into the Saratoga Community for major community projects, scholarships or for major initiatives related to sight, hearing, and diabetes.

The Saratoga Spring’s Lions club recently provided Saratoga Hospital a $25,000 donation to support  the new ‘Community Health Center.’

Don Braim / Cliff Van Wagner
Photo by Bill Gibeault

A Heartfelt Big Time Thanks to Saratoga Casino and Raceway

Saratoga Springs Lion Cliff Van Wagner presents Don Braim, Senior VP of Racing at Saratoga Casino & Raceway, an appreciation momento from the Saratoga Springs Lions Club for the company’s on going major sponsorship of the club’s annual duathlon.

It’s always a special luncheon when our club can recognize an individual or business that supports our important mission, with their generosity and spirit of  giving – helping us to serve others.  Today , May 1, 2014, we recognized Saratoga Casino and Raceway at our weekly luncheon.

They have been a valuable partner of the Lion’s Duathlon for the past nine years. The last three years the Casino and Raceway have been a major sponsor donating $5000.   The use of the facilities at no charge to the Lions Club allows us to stage a great experience for both the participating athletes and many spectators the event draws each year.

The 2014 edition, the 10th annual will be held on May 25.

Importantly, from a fundraising standpoint, the event has been a tremendous success in helping The Saratoga Springs Lions Club Foundation make significant contributions to major projects and initiatives related to sight & hearing, community projects and scholastic scholarships.

Specific beneficiaries of the Lions major financial support include The Lions Eye Institute located in Albany, the Saratoga Springs Community Health Center initiative by Saratoga Hospital and Scholarships for area youth.

THANKS AGAIN DON BRAIM & SARATOGA CASINO & RACEWAY !!!  YOU GUYS ROCK

The Saratoga Lions Club is proud to share an edited  press release about one of our members.

John McDonald – 2014 Baptist Health System Foundation Community Service Award Recipient

The Baptist Health System Foundation,  Scotia, NY, recently announced the recipient of it’s annual community service award.   That individual is John McDonald, from Galway, NY.

John , is a 16 year member of The Saratoga Springs Lions Club.    His nomination was selected from all nominations that were sent in and voted upon by Baptist Health System Foundation Board Members.

John will be presented with his award, along with a check for $2,000-, to benefit a not-for-profit organization of his choice on Friday evening, March 21, 2014, 6-9PM at The Third Annual Taste of The Capital Region Wine & Food Pairing Event that will take place at Riverstone Manor, 1427 Amsterdam Road in Glenville, NY.

Camp Abilities, a program created by The Saratoga Springs Lions Club, will be the benefactor of the $2,000- award that John will receive in appreciate for his outstanding Community Service.  Camp Abilities Saratoga is a one week overnight sports camp for children and teens that are blind, deaf-blind and visually impaired.

In addition to his tireless efforts with The Saratoga Springs Lions Club, John is a very active Cub Scout Leader in the community and has served as Board Director and President of The Lions Eye Institute in Albany.   He also maintains full-time employment as Finance Manager for NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation.

Those wishing to congratulate John on his philanthropic accomplishments may do so by attending The Taste of The Capital Region Food & Wine Event.

Tickets can be purchased for $50- each at www.bapthealth.com or by calling and making a reservation Baptist Health at 370-4700 Ext. 123 or 193