Happy Holidays from the Yosemite Lions Club!

The Yosemite Lions Club wishes you the happiest of holidays and best of new years.  Thanks to your participation, we hosted many successful fundraisers for the Yosemite community in 2010.  We look forward to all the upcoming Lions Club events in 2011 and hope to see you there!

Yosemite Lions Club Secretary Brett Archer wishes you a Happy New Year from Yosemite National Park

Trees and Wreaths Still Available!

For those of you who missed the tree and wreath sale, we still have several trees and wreaths available:

• 4' potted Euro tree with clay pot $40  Hurry!  Only two left!
• 12" potted Euro tree with ceramic pot $15  Perfect for Dorm Rooms!
• 18" pine wreath $25  Gorgeous!
• Paper White Bulb Kits $8   Hurry!  Only four left!  Makes a great gift!

Please feel free to spread the word to the Yosemite community.
All proceeds go to local organizations such as the Yosemite Day Care, Yosemite Valley School, etc.

If you are interested, please let me know.

Brett Archer, Secretary Yosemite Lions Club
General Manager Curry Village
BArcher@dncinc.com
209-372-8328

Spreading Holiday Cheer and Raising Funds in Yosemite Valley

Though we didn't sell them all, the Yosemite Lions Club offered trees, wreaths and flower bulbs for sale in Yosemite Valley on December 3rd to raise funds for community projects.  Hosted annually on the same day as the Yosemite Village Store Holiday Party, the Lions Club operates a sales table outside of the store to tempt shoppers and party-goers with holiday decor.  This year, in addition to live potted mini trees and fresh greenery wreaths, flower bulb kits of Amaryllis and Paperwhites and live potted 4 foot trees were also available.

Lions Club Secretary Brett and President Kym ready for sales.

Kym and Lions Club member Michelle open for business at 11:00 A.M.

Brett demonstrates his holiday cheer.

Lions Club members were on hand selling trees and wreaths from 11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. in front of the store and all items were made available during the store party throughout the evening.  Lions Club Secretary Brett Archer even offered to deliver items to community members in Curry Village, in true holiday spirit.

Lions Club Vice President Jodi and member Mike at the downsized sales table in the late afternoon.

Thanks to members Kym, Brett, Michelle, Yolanda, Jodi and Mike for staffing the sales table with special thanks to Lions Club volunteer Shani as the sub for her husband Sean!  Thanks to the Yosemite community members (and visitors!) who support Lions Club fundraisers in Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite Lions Club Holiday Fundraiser: Selling Trees and Wreaths in Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Lions Club Holiday Sale 2010

Yosemite Lions Club Commended on Blood Drive

Each year, the Yosemite Lions Club hosts two blood drives in conjunction with the Central California Blood Center.  This year, representatives from the CCBC visited the fall blood drive in El Portal to observe the operation.  The club received the following letter commending our volunteer work:
Central CA Blood Center Letter


Lions Club member Bill Thomas coordinates all blood drives for the club and deserves special thanks for consistently organizing this important task.  During the fall blood drive that took place this year on October 27, Yosemite community members donated 67 units of blood, a near record amount for the community. Thanks to all who donated blood, time and effort to this crucial program that helps saves lives.

Save the Date: Yosemite Lions Club Fall Blood Drive in El Portal October 27

Meet us at the El Portal Community Center Next Wednesday, October 27, to donate blood and we'll give you doughnuts, orange juice and a free t-shirt to say thanks for your contribution!  The blood drive takes place from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, so we hope you can work it into your schedule.  See you there!

Yosemite Lions Club Golf Tournament 2010

On a perfect late summer day in Yosemite National Park, the Yosemite Lions Club hosted the 18th annual fundraising Golf Tournament on the Wawona Golf Course at the Wawona Hotel.  On Saturday, September 11th, before golfers teed off on the nine hole course, tournament participants observed a moment of silence for Patriot Day.  This year's tournament attracted 37 golfers in 10 teams of four or less with raffle prizes, a barbecue dinner at the Wawona Hotel, a bag of free goodies at registration and a day of golfing in Yosemite National Park.  Raffle prizes also included the Wine Box Raffle.  Purchase a key for $1.00 to a locked box containing a fine bottle of wine (and one bottle of Scotch) for a chance to see if your key opens the box allowing you to keep the bottle inside.  In addition to the raffle, prizes were awarded to first, second and third place teams based on overall score, and individual golfers with the longest drive and closest drive to the pin.  The Pink Lady Prize was awarded to the team that could keep their pink golf ball in play the longest throughout the tournament.

Golfers register outside the Wawona Hotel Golf Shop

Golfer goodie bags

Lions Club members Mike and Kym, along with volunteer Terri, register golfers for the tournament

Lions Club members Patty, Alison and Michelle sell raffle tickets

Wawona Golf Shop Supervisor Sam and tournament participant Bill

The shotgun start allowed all 10 teams to start on the course at the same time.  The tournament requires two rounds of this nine hole course and rules of play were announced by Lions Club member Mike Osborne prior to the start.  Throughout the day, refreshments were available for purchase from the Lions Club via the refreshment cart that toured the course or the popular refreshment table at Hole Five.  Known as the "Hole Five Girls", Lions Club members and community volunteers serve refreshments and encouragement to parched and weary golfers midway through the course.  The only hole on the course where golfers will be lauded with the polite golf clap for their performance, Hole Five has become a tradition at the Lions Club Golf Tournament.

The historic Wawona Golf Course is an organic course in Yosemite National Park, also serving as important wetland habitat for wildlife as a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.  Opened in 1918, the course was designed by Walter G. Favarque to blend in with the Sierra Nevada landscape.  No pesticides are used in maintenance of the course and only gray water is utilized for watering.  Golfers of every skill level can enjoy the tranquil setting of this national park course.

Play continued for most teams until between 3:00 and 4:00 PM.  The barbecue dinner included with tournament registration is another summer tradition at the Wawona Hotel.  Every Saturday at 5:00 PM, the hotel staff serves hungry hikers and golfers a buffet style dinner that includes barbecue classics like ribs, watermelon, corn bread, beans and apple pie.  Thanks to the efforts of the Wawona Hotel staff, the Lions Club had a section of reserved tables for tournament participants to enjoy dinner and the prize raffle.

Lions Club member Sean purchases raffle tickets (or is that a bribe?!)

Yosemite Lions Club President Kym Wright Youngdale gave an update on the Lions Club's efforts in the community and the various projects they support, including Camp Pacifica, the Yosemite Valley and El Portal schools, and local junior college student scholarships.  Lions Club member Mike Osborne kicked off the prize giveaways by demonstrating a winning key at the Wine Box Raffle, which also included a 12 year aged bottle of Scotch donated by Stu Good.  Other raffle prizes included an OGIO golf club carrier bag, original artwork by Lions Club member Alison Grove, Wawona Golf Course jackets, photo albums, golf balls, and Yosemite souvenirs.  Tournament prizes included $50 DNC gift certificates for the first place team and $25 gift certificates for second place, the Pink Lady prize, the longest drive and the closest drive to the pin.
And the winners were:
Tournament First Place: Steve Morrelli, Ken Kerr, Richard Sischo and Bob Berkler  score 57
Tournament Second Place: Bill Carroll, Pat Carroll, Bob Blumrick and John Garner score 58
Longest Drive for Men: Michael Whaley
Longest Drive for Women: Cindy Bigalt
Closest to the Pin Drive for Men: Bob Blumreich 4 feet 7 inches
Closest to the Pin Drive for Women: Renae Rippentrop 47 feet 2 inches
Pink Lady Prize: Hank Barrett, Fred Cruz, Kristie Ratchford and Paul Ratchford
Most Indecent Amount of Raffle Prizes Won (Based on Whopping Number of Tickets Purchased): Bill and Guy

Most tournament participants won raffle prizes, but Hank Barrett walked off with the coveted golf club carrier bag valued at $250.00.  After all the prizes were distributed to their deserving recipients, dinner was served.  Everyone enjoyed the barbecue in the late afternoon sun after a day spent enjoying the great outdoors at Yosemite National Park.  Don't miss this fundraising (and fun!) event next September, when golfers can make a difference in the Yosemite community by supporting the Yosemite Lions Club and Yosemite National Park.  Together, the Wine Box raffle and refreshments for purchase raised $500, while the registration fees and raffle ticket sales accounted for the remaining $3500 for a grand total of $4000 in funds raised at the tournament this year.

Many thanks to all the tournament participants who made it a great day in Wawona for the Yosemite Lions Club.  Thanks to DNC partners and local businesses for their generous donations, including Impact Photographics, 4 Bare Feet, Aloe Up, Titleist, Budweiser and Valley First Credit Union.  Thanks to the Lions Club members whose efforts make the golf tournament happen every year.  Thanks to community volunteers Kelly Osborne, Julie Spence, Shani Spence, and Terri Tudela who assist the Lions Club with tournament tasks - Hole Five Girls Rule!  And extra special thanks to DNC staff members Debbie Hoffman of Group Services and the crew at the Wawona Hotel.  Without  General Manager Joe Alfano, Golf Shop Supervisor Sam Winstead and the rest of the dedicated hotel staff, the tournament would not be possible.  See you next year!

Yosemite Lions Club Golf Tournament Registration

Yosemite Lions Club Golf Tournament Flyer

A Word from Our Secretary, Brett Archer: Foooooooooooorrrrrrrrrre!

That is golf speak for "heads up!"  or maybe it is "heads down?"

But you probably already knew that because you are a smart, savvy, and caring individual.  And as a smart, savvy, and caring  individual, I am sure that you would be very interested in partaking in the 18th Annual Yosemite Lions Club Golf Tournament held in Wawona on Saturday, September 11 that benefits many local charities and organizations.

And now you are a lucky individual because there are still open spots in the tournament!  Yes, you read me right.  There are still spots available.  So act now if you love the outdoors and would love to spend an afternoon on the Wawona greens helping raise money for our Lion's Club; which as you know, is a world-wide organization.

I thought you might like to have some of the details:

Date: Saturday, September 11
Time: Shotgun starts at 11:00 a.m.
Cost:  $85 (Hey, that is less than a tank of gas if you own a Suburban, like me).
What you get: cart, green fees, polo shirt, hat, Wawona BBQ dinner, and a goodie bag filled with, you guessed it: goodies! (ie: balls, tees, sunscreen, magnets, socks, and more)

Wow!  What a Deal.

But wait there is more!
There will also be a great raffle after dinner for which you can buy tickets.  Being given away:  Dinner for 2 at the Mountain Room, Dinner for 2 at Wawona, DNC gift certificates, a golf bag travel case, photographic prints by local artists, jackets, along with more unique and unusual gifts.

But wait, there is more!
Try your luck at unlocking the wine vault by donating $1 for a key.  That key may open the lock to the vault that holds an awesome bottle of wine.

This event sells out very fast so act now if you want to secure your place in this great tournament.  We have made it very easy for you to sign up by attaching the registration form.   Have I said, "act now?"  These spots will fill up fast.

Act now.  Operators are standing by.

Mosquito Festival Raises $4500 Thanks to Yosemite Community Members!

Each year in August, you can find Yosemite community members and visitors celebrating the exodus of mosquitos from Yosemite Valley at the Yosemite Lions Club Mosquito Festival.  Hosted at the Yosemite Valley School, approximately 150 people attended the festival on August 5, raising funds for Yosemite Child Care.  Tickets included a tri-tip beef or chicken dinner for $10, and several discounted rates were available for vegetarians, kids and seniors (just ask DNC Parks and Resorts at Yosemite's President, Dan Jensen!)  Beer, wine, soft drinks and water were donated by DNC grocery business partners: Gemini, Pepsi, Delta Sierra, Young's and CalSug.  Raffle prizes were also donated, including the grand auction prize, a week's stay in Hawaii by Impact Photographics.  Bidding was energetic for the stay in Hawaii as Gary Rosenfeld, Kathleen Langley, Vicki Mapes, Brian Wright, Christina Stark and others competed for the grand prize.  The dinner and raffle tickets together raised $2500, but the auction prize was eventually awarded to Brian Wright, DNC's Director of Marketing for $1550.

Thanks to all DNC business partners who contributed to the event and thanks to DNC staff members who coordinated donations, including Stacy Catarina, Ted Hansen and Kym Wright-Youngdale.  Thanks to Lions Club member and author Mike Osborne for raffle prizes (and superb auctioneering skills!).  Thanks to Lions Club members who volunteer time and effort to coordinate great community events, but most of all, thanks to Yosemite community members and visitors who attend Lions Club events.

See you at the annual Lions Club Golf Tournament fundraiser at Wawona on September 11, 2010!

Getting Ready for the Mosquito Festival in Yosemite Valley!

Check out the raffle prizes available at this year's Mosquito Festival: rock climbing shoes, climbing rope, trekking poles, books signed by fabulous Yosemite photographer (and Lions Club member) Mike Osborne, dinner at the Wawona Hotel and at Yosemite Lodge, and brunch at the Ahwahnee, just to name a few!  Raffle tickets are sold for $1.00 each or 6 tickets for $5.00.  Grilled tri-tip dinner at the festival is $10.00 adult, $5.00 child and $7.00 vegetarian (no tri-tip!).  All tickets are available at the event in Yosemite Valley at the Yosemite Elementary School and proceeds from all ticket sales benefit the Yosemite Child Care Center, so come on by for dinner and cross your fingers for lucky raffle tickets - the more you buy, the better your chance of winning.

Save the Date! Yosemite Lions Club 18th Annual Golf Tournament

Saturday September 11th, 2010 at the Wawona Golf Course

Wawona Hotel, Yosemite National Park

Check in: 9:30 AM

Shotgun Start: 11:00 AM  

Refreshments served on the course

BBQ Dinner: 5:00 PM

Great Raffle to Follow

$75.00 if paid by 8/27/2010 and $85.00 if paid after. 

Includes Cart, Green fees, Shirt, Hat, BBQ Dinner, and Goodie bag.

Please Make Payment to: 

Yosemite Lions Club
C/O Yolanda Cheley
P.O. Box 6
Yosemite CA, 95389

This event sells out very fast every year. Payment is due 8/27/2010 to assure your spot in the golf tournament.

Please contact Kym Wright @ 209.372.1221 or Yolanda Cheley @ 209-372-1321 for questions regarding this event.

Save the date! Yosemite's Annual Mosquito Festival August 5, 2010

Yosemite National Park's Annual Mosquito Festival sponsored by the Lions Club is a fundraiser for the Yosemite Child Care Center.  Food, games, sweet raffle prizes and more fun on August 5 at the Yosemite Valley School.  Tickets will be available for purchase in advance, raffle tickets available the day of the event.  Watch this page for more details.

Yosemite National Park road conditions update for Memorial Day Weekend

Yosemite National Park road conditions update for Memorial Day Weekend

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Yosemite Spring Blood Drive May 2010

The Yosemite Lions Club held their annual Spring Blood Drive in Yosemite Valley in front of the Valley Visitor Center.  The drive collected 40 units of blood for the Central California Blood Center. Lions Club members Bill Thomas, Diane Stewart, Michelle Hansen, Kym Wright-Youngdale and Jodi Gover were on hand to distribute orange juice, doughnuts and t-shirts to blood donors as a thank you for their contribution. Every year member Bill Thomas coordinates two blood drives in the Yosemite community, a Spring drive in Yosemite Valley and a Fall drive in El Portal.