The Mountain Grove Lions Club has been busy as autumn time hit the area.
Toots the Train visits the Governor’s
Mansion
Toots the Train was invited to attend the 2021 Parson Family Fall Fest at the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City on Oct. 30. Several members of the local Lions Club accompanied the kid’s train to give free rides to colorfully costumed children among the several thousand people in attendance. While there, the Lions were invited to tour the Governor’s Mansion along with members of the Heritage Festival. The tour was led by Governor and First Lady Parsons and covered all three stories of the historical building.
Heritage Festival members Dr. and Mrs. David Barbe and Jo Hubner provided decorations for the train while Lions members helped out with driving and organizing. Those also attending included Lion Tim Schook, City Administrator, Dr. Barbe, Lion Brenda Clark, Debbie Barbe, Lion Ray Richey, Lion Dee Lewis, Lion Webb Howerton and Lion Sandy Richey. Toots the Train will make its next appearance at the Dec. 11 Suckers for Kids fish fry on the square to benefit the Play For All playground.
More on Playground Project
The Lions’ purpose in being at the Fall Fest was to promote Mountain Grove and the Lions’ Legacy project, an All-Inclusive playground to be called “Play For All”. This project has been in the works for two years through many hurdles such as COVID, and it is now in the grant request writing stage. The playground will have wheel chair access to rides and soft carpet in case of falls. All children can play together at the playground located in Veterans Park under giant oaks and pines hovering over grassy knolls and paved walking trails.
Donation Received
Lion President Ray Richey and his wife, Club Secretary Sandy Richey, traveled to Branson to accept a donation from Branson Hollister Lions last week.
Under the leadership of District Governor Phyllis Krebs, Missouri Lions District 26-M6 clubs have joined in with their support of the project. In October, $2,000 was donated to the playground by Lion DG Phyllis and her husband Lion Phil Krebs, 2nd Vice District Governor. The donation was made in the name of Lions Phyllis and Phil plus 10 Leader Dogs for the Blind that the two have raised. In November the Branson Hollister Club and Springfield Host Lions donated a total of $3,000. By showing their support, the district Lions clubs are helping us to be granted matching funds by Lions Clubs International. Other district Lions clubs that have donated to the project include: Christian County, Elkland, Hartville, Kimberling City, Lamar and Seymour. Marshfield joined in by allowing the Mountain Grove Lions to sell raffle tickets at their annual Truck/Tractor Pull. Many local businesses and citizens have donated to the playground through the Mountain Grove Lions Foundation and have enjoyed the 501c3 tax exempt write-off. Donations are still being accepted through direct donations, donation of park equipment, or purchase of commemorative bricks for the entryway.
Vision Screening
Meanwhile, vision screening remains our top priority. Since purchasing a Welch Allyn Spot Vision Screener in 2017 the Mountain Grove Lions have performed over 7,000 screenings on children and adults ranging in age from 6 months to 74 years of age. All findings are given to the school nurses to follow up on. Special attention is given to those students who are out of range (needing a doctor’s exam).
Approximately 10-15% on average of the screened students are referred as “out of range.” Hearing screenings will resume in the spring with nurse-referred students being tested with our OAE Screener. CPR certification classes are also given for the price of the required book and certificate. These classes are lead by Lion Brenda Clark, RN. The next scheduled classes are for Se-Ma-No Electric employees on Dec. 17 at 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The Mountain Grove Lions Club is a non-profit 501c3 foundation. The club is led by Lion President Ray Richey, Secretary Sandy Richey, Treasurer Brenda Clark, Vice President Mike Elam (Sight Chairman), Second Vice President Marie Hicks, Membership Chairman Ken Woodruff, and a group of dedicated members.
