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Lions' Bingo Proceeds Donated To 7 Agencies

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune correspondent

Published: March 25, 2009

ZEPHYRHILLS - In one evening, the Zephyrhills Lions Club gave away $9,500 in charitable contributions to seven east Pasco organizations. Representatives from many of these agencies convened recently at the Lions Den 7881441 on Dean Dairy Road, to accept their donation checks.

The recipients:

•Boy Scouts of Zephyrhills: $1,000

•East Pasco Habitat for Humanity: $1,500

•Hernando-Pasco Hospice: $1,500

•Meals on Wheels: $1,000

•Sunrise of Pasco Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center: $1,500

•Zephyrhills Band Boosters: $1,500

•Zephyrhills Fire Rescue, $1,500.

Zephyrhills Lions Club president Dick Pike and Ernie Vanselow, zone chairman of Lions Club District 35R, distributed the checks during the club's Friday evening bingo game. Pike said it was a fitting setting, as money collected during bingo games formed the basis for the donations.

"Thanks to you bingo players, this is our biggest fundraiser," Pike said. "On behalf of you, we can do this for our community."

Upon accepting a check on behalf of Hernando-Pasco Hospice, hospice gift planner Ginger Olson also expressed appreciation of the Lions' generosity for the program, which last year gave more than $7 million worth of palliative care to seriously ill patients.

"We never charge a patient a dime" for hospice care, she said. "We can only do that with your help."

Olson also acknowledged the help of hospice volunteers such as Shirley Forbes, a Zephyrhills Lion also on hand to accept the donation.

"I think it's great that the Lions can help so many organizations," Forbes said.

Kaci Wubbena, assistant finance director of East Pasco Habitat for Humanity, said her agency will invest its Lions donation in the construction of Habitat homes in this area.

"We will put it toward building Habitat houses, building tools and materials, everything that's needed to build a Habitat house," she said.

Zephyrhills Fire Rescue, according to reserve firefighter and EMT Billy Jeffries, will use its donation to purchase medical equipment, including oxygen masks, bandages and EKG pads.

"This is for the citizens of Zephyrhills," said Jeffries, who accepted the donation with wife Trina, a volunteer firefighter with Zephyrhills Fire Rescue.

Also on hand to accept a donation on behalf of Zephyrhills Band Boosters were band boosters vice president Gwen Compton and treasurer Michelle Vancuren.

Russell Schmidt, band director, said the Lions Club donation will be used toward the purchase of a new trailer to transport the band's equipment. He appreciates the Zephyrhills Lions, not only as a beneficiary, but as an appreciative audience as the band has performed shows at the Lions Club.

"The Lions Club has been outstanding through the years," Schmidt said.

Vanselow said that, in addition to these community donations, the Zephyrhills Lions recently gave $8,000 to Lions-supported entities, such as the Conklin Center for the Blind and Southeastern Guide Dogs. She takes pride in the support that her organization gives to philanthropic organizations, both locally and across the globe.

"I love what I do," she said with a smile.

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