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	The Manchester Enterprise A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Lions Club takes next step

By Edward Freundl, Heritage Newspapers

PUBLISHED: March 29, 2007

Eight area residents interested in chartering a new Lions Club in Manchester moved closer to that goal March 22 at the Whistle Stop restaurant.

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It was the second meeting of the group, with the first taking place a month ago. Both were led by members of the Napoleon and Jackson Eye-Openers Lions Clubs.

"The only reason to start a new club is to do it where services are needed, but not being fully addressed," said Dick Tallman of the Napoleon Lions, which will sponsor the new club.

Although Lions is the world's largest community-service club, Tallman told the group that every club and every area is different and members of the new Manchester club will be able to decide for themselves what works best in the community.

According to Lions Clubs International guidelines, 20 people are necessary to charter a club.

Although the numbers still are not sufficient to charter a club, there is definite interest and enthusiasm.

"I heard they were going to start this club," said area resident Siobhan Gorman. "I read it in the paper, and I thought I'd come in and see what it's all about."

Scott and Amy Spooner said they were relatively new to the area and wanted to find a way to contribute to the community.

"We were kind of hoping to meet new people and do something worthwhile at the same time," said Scott Spooner.

"We both work in Ypsilanti and we are looking for a way to get involved in volunteer activities," Amy Spooner said. "This is an opportunity to do that where we live."

Several residents ex-pressed a concern not to "step on anybody's toes" in such a small community with so many other service organizations.

Rachel Burkhardt suggested an initial project for the new club could be a day camp for kids with cancer at her horse ranch east of the village.

"I have the place with the horses now, and I've done this kind of thing before," Burkhardt said.

Sue Collins, owner of the Whistle Stop, supported the suggestion.

"That's something that none of the other clubs in town do now," she said.

The core group agreed the next step would be to meet by themselves, without the presence of their mentors, to discuss strategies for bringing more local residents on board.

"I think there is room in the community for the Lions Club," said Jack Rathburn, president of the Manchester Men's Club. "A membership drive is what's needed now."

The group set its next meeting for 7 p.m. April 19 at the Whistle Stop.