Happy Holidays from the Yosemite Lions Club!

Wishing you the happiest of new years, we also want to thank you wholeheartedly for participating in our events and fundraisers to benefit the Yosemite community throughout 2012. This year's holiday tree and wreath fundraiser sold five trees and six wreaths online with $80 in proceeds going to the club.  Trees and wreaths are shipped free of charge after purchase directly to your home. Neatly packed in cardboard boxes, they arrive fresh and fragrant, and trees are securely mounted to a stand right inside the box.

We appreciate the support and hope that you will consider buying trees and wreaths through the club's online program with Dutchman Tree Farms for the holiday season in 2013.

Thanks for the Tacos and Holiday Fundraiser: Trees and Wreaths For Sale!

Each year the Yosemite Lions Club hosts a holiday fundraiser selling trees and wreaths online and a portion of the proceeds go to support our club. By partnering with Dutchman Tree Farms in Michigan, we receive $10.00 for every tree and $5.00 for every wreath sold. The best part is that these trees or wreaths are then shipped FREE directly to your home. There are several trees to choose from and the wreath comes with a big red bow. You can skip the trip to the tree lot or send a great wreath gift and support a good cause all at the same time!

Please consider our fundraiser - you can be anywhere to purchase and they will ship anywhere in the U.S. Check it out at the following link:

http://dutchmantreefarms.com/organization/YLCCA

You can place an order anytime between now and December 11th to have holiday greenery at your door before the Christmas holiday - you can even schedule a delivery for a specific date.

Yosemite Lions Club's annual fall blood drive successfully collected 54 pints of blood on October 24th in El Portal. In the words of Diane Stewart, club volunteer: "We had 64 potential donors with 10 deferrals, for a total of 54 collected pints of precious blood. New donors and faithful friends, thank you for your generosity--your gift saves lives!"

In other fundraising news, the Yosemite Lions Club annual Mosquito Festival, re-imagined this year as El Mosquito Fiesta, raised $800 for the Yosemite community. On October 25th at the Curry Village Community Center in Yosemite Valley, we served 75 plates of delicious Mexican food to hungry diners that included many new faces we haven't seen at club events before. Many, many thanks to Maria La Veaga for preparing the Mexican feast - her reputation for Mexican food contributed to the success of this event. Event chair and Lions Club Treasurer Brett Archer worked hard to present a new twist on a long-time annual event, providing club exposure for an entirely different part of the Yosemite community. Brett also enlisted many volunteers to assist the club with this event and we thank them wholeheartedly! We worked hard and had fun, and we hope to see these new faces at upcoming YLC events. 

Treasurer Brett is ready to serve some food

President Kym is ready to collect some money 

Happy diners in the CV Community Center

Brett and Maria, the Queen of Mexican Cuisine!

Volunteer Kurt and Club Member Mike

October Events: The Mosquito Festival and the Fall Blood Drive

The club is sponsoring two exciting events this week: The Mosquito Festival in Yosemite Valley and the annual Yosemite Lions Club Fall Blood Drive in El Portal. On Wednesday, October 24th, the blood drive, sponsored in conjunction with the Central California Blood Center, will take place at the El Portal Community Hall, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. In addition to juice, doughnuts and free t-shirts for blood donors, we will also be collecting used eyeglasses to recycle for the Lions In Sight program.

On Thursday, October 25th, in the Better Late Than Never category, the club will be hosting the annual Mosquito Festival in Yosemite Valley at the Curry Village Community Center. This year's festival, known as "El Mosquito Fiesta" features a Mexican dinner prepared by Maria La Veaga - formerly of the Curry Village Taco Stand. Maria's menu includes enchiladas, tacos, burritos, beans, rice and chips & salsa included in one of three different dinner combos: one item $8.00, two items, $10.00, three items $12.00. As always, proceeds from this event will benefit the Yosemite Community.

We hope to see you in El Portal on Wednesday and at dinner on Thursday evening!

Yosemite Lions Club Golf Tournament 2012

Thanks to thirteen teams competing in the golf tournament this year, the club raised $6000 in funds for the Yosemite community! On a sunny September 8th at the Wawona Hotel golf course in Yosemite National Park, tournament players enthusiastically participated in a putting contest, 18 holes of golf, BBQ dinner and a prize raffle - all for a $75 registration fee. This year's winners - Rich Sischo, Ken Kehrer, Steve Morelli and Bob Berkler - shot a combined total of nine under par to become tournament champions with prizes of $50 gift certificates for each team member. Second place winners Michael Lewis, Robert Lewis, Mike Wally and Dave Braun scored seven under par and $25 gift certificates.

Demonstrating his putting prowess, Bill Carroll reigned supreme in the putting contest and won dinner for two at the Wawona Hotel. Other winners included players with the longest drive: Renae Rippentrop and Matt McNease, and players who averaged closest to the pin: Renae Rippentrop and Jason Dubburke. Success with keeping the Pink Lady in play throughout the entire tournament was achieved by Pat Reilly, Greg Owens, Dennis Baker and Mike Gover. These categories were also awarded prizes of $25 gift certificates good for any DNC Yosemite retail or restaurant location.

After the fierce competition, players relaxed on the lawn at the Wawona Hotel with BBQ dinner and participated in the prize and wine box raffles. Prizes included a travel golf bag, a Pendleton blanket from Grand Canyon National Park, various and sundry goodie bags with golfing items, dinner for two at the Mountain Room, brunch for two at the Ahwahnee and tickets for a September game played by the San Francisco Giants.

Thanks to all the tournament participants and their generosity in supporting our fundraising efforts in Yosemite. The Yosemite Lions Club extends special thanks to the staff of the Wawona Hotel - particularly Golf Shop Manager Roger Lyons - for making the tournament a success, and to Lions Club volunteers Shari, Shani, and Julie. Fortunately, the club has many supporters who contributed raffle prizes or donations to help raise funds: Peets Coffee, Impact Photographics, California Sungold, Smith Western Company, In the Breeze, Smith Novelty Company, Studio Vertu, Porter World Trade, Ramatex, Dutch American Import Company, Staples Promotional Products, Dry Associates, Aloe Up, Bryce Dorst, DNC Parks & Resorts at Grand Canyon, and of course DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite. We couldn't do it without you!

The 2012 Golf Tournament Committee consisted of President Kym Wright-Youngdale, Lion Teri Tudela, Lion Michelle Hansen and Club Volunteer Shari Baudoux. Big thanks to all the club members for their participation and fundraising efforts.

Hope to see you again at next year's tournament which is scheduled for Saturday September 7, 2013.

Fore! Golfing for a Good Cause

The kids have gone back to school, but there's still time to squeeze in one last summer weekend in Yosemite National Park. Join us for the Yosemite Lions Club Golf Tournament on Saturday, September 8th 2012 at Yosemite's Wawona Hotel Golf Course and spend a late summer day raising funds for the Yosemite Community. As of this writing, there are still some twenty openings for tournament players and we want you to join us! Tournament prizes include $50 and $25 gift certificates good for any stores and restaurants operated by DNC Parks and Resorts at Yosemite, and raffle prizes include dinners for two at the Mountain Room and the Wawona Dining Room, brunch for two at the Ahwahnee Dining Room and San Francisco Giants tickets!

As always drinks and snacks will be available for purchase on the course during the tournament prior to the BBQ dinner included with your registration fee. You can buy keys for the wine box raffle at Hole Five and during dinner - if your key opens the box, you win the wine bottle inside! And if you feel you need a do-over, mulligans can be purchased along with raffle tickets or snacks and drinks.

New this year:
We'll be conducting a pre-tournament putting contest with a grand prize and previous year's tournament polo shirts and caps will be available for purchase - $5.00 per cap and $10.00 per shirt.

Celebrate summer's last hurrah in Yosemite National Park and help the Yosemite Lions Club fund community projects. Is there a better reason to get out on the course? Check out the link below for the registration form or call Shari at 209.628.5941 with questions or to sign up over the phone.

REGISTRATION FORM

Summer in Yosemite with the YLC

Summer in Yosemite is swimming in the Merced River, hiking to the top of Half Dome, toasting s'mores over the campfire and preparing for the Yosemite Lions Club's two annual park events: the Mosquito Festival in Yosemite Valley and the Golf Tournament at the Wawona Hotel golf course. Below you will find the registration form for the golf tournament that takes place on Saturday September 8th, 2012. Tournament players demonstrate their skills on the 9 hole Wawona golf course before sitting down to a BBQ dinner and prize raffle at the Wawona Hotel. Join us for a day of summer fun in Yosemite to help raise funds for the club. Golf teams are welcome to bring non-golfing companions to round out their dinner party and participate in the prize raffle. Look for upcoming details on the annual Mosquito Festival to raise funds and celebrate the exodus of mosquitos from Yosemite Valley.

At the last monthly club meeting, we shared a lunch date with luminaries from Lions Club District 4-A1 at the Ahwahnee Hotel, including Vice District Governor Tom Bauder, Yosemite Region Zone Chairperson Chris Baker, District Governor Jim Syvertsen and Yosemite Region Chairperson Dwight Stephens (that's YLC Secretary Brett and YLC President Kym in the middle of the photo above). It was inspiring to connect with Lions outside of our club, and we shared thoughts and enthusiastic ideas concerning the Lions Clubs in our district. Speaking of enthusiasm, two YLC members were awarded  commemorative pins to celebrate their commitment to the club and enthusiasm for Lions Club events. After being nominated by President Kym, District Governor Jim presented Secretary Brett and Lion Michelle with "You Mean the World to Lions 2012-2013" pins.

We look forward to seeing you at our summer events and hope you'll spread the word to help raise funds for the Yosemite community.

Use the download link to get a copy of the registration form below:

Yosemite Lions Club Golf Tournament 2012

Yosemite Lions Club Helps Raise $3724.00 for Cancer Research!

On Saturday, May 19, the Yosemite Lions Club participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life to raise funds for cancer research. The club supported the Yosemite Hiking for a Cure team at the Mariposa fairgrounds by walking the track, hosting a fundraising bingo game and raffling gift bags. Here's a summary from Lion Patti, team co-captain:

"Thank you to everyone for your participation and support in the 2012 Relay For Life.  The event raised $59,222.04 to date.

In the team category, Yosemite Hiking For A Cure came in second place with $3,724 raised!  Our team goal was $2,500.  Great work everyone!  We not only met, but exceeded our goal for 2012.  This was not only made possible by our sponsor contributions from the Yosemite Lion's Club and DNC P&R at Yosemite, but also by some great fundraising from our team members, both individually and collectively.

In the individual fundraising category, Kym earned second place having collected $1,450.00.  Great job Kym!

Congratualtions to everyone for a great Relay!  A big thank you to Teri, our co-captain. She was there when I needed her facilitating fundraising and logistics!  Bingo was a successful fundraiser.  Kudos to Teri and Kym!  You both had the patience and resolve to walk the track to get the word out and bring in participants. Kym, your years of participation in this event, and fundraising capabilities, are an inspiration to all of us. Thank you for your enormous contribution!  Emily, thank you for providing our shade for this event, or we would have surely wilted under the heat of the Sun!  Pat, Audrey and Kurt, Michelle, and Alison, you are here, year after year, and without your participation and contributions to our team, we wouldn't have one.  Thank you!  I will follow up with our newest team-members to congratulate and give thanks for their participation.

The wrap up party is currently scheduled for Thursday, June 21st with time and place forthcoming from the Committee.  I hope to see you there!"

Who Likes Pancakes for Breakfast?!

Every year at the Spring Fling in El Portal, the Yosemite Lions Club hosts a fundraising Pancake Breakfast to support the El Portal School. Starting at 7:00AM, prior to the start of the El Portal Spring Run-Off 5k and 10k run, the club will serve pancakes with syrup, butter, sausage, fruit and milk or juice to drink. Breakfast is included with race registration, however, if you are a spectator with breakfast needs, you too can eat breakfast for a donated sum. Contact information for the Run-Off is included below:

Looking Forward to Fundraising in 2012 (with a rewind to 2011)

We're heading towards spring here in Yosemite, though we really haven't had much of a winter!  Before winter came tiptoeing to the Sierra, the Yosemite Lions Club held another successful fall blood drive in El Portal at the community center.  Lions Club Member and blood drive coordinator Bill Thomas arranged once again for suitable decor and snacks for the annual October event, along with his ever-faithful supporter and Lions Club Member Diane Stewart.  Our blood drive marketing savvy has increased - we announced the drive in the Mariposa Gazette.  In previous years, the blood drive operation was set up inside the community center.  This year the Central California Blood Center's Bloodmobile was parked just outside, making the community center available for snacks and socializing with donors.  Every donor receives a free t-shirt, along with complimentary orange juice and sugary snacks to reset blood sugar levels after donating.  Thanks goes to the Yosemite and El Portal communities for making the blood drive a success - we appreciate your support!

Diane and Bill at the blood drive

Central California Blood Bank Letter Fall 2012 We added a new fundraising opportunity in 2011, one we hope will become a new tradition in the Yosemite community.  Every winter holiday season, the Yosemite Lions Club sells holiday trees and wreaths in front of the Village Store in Yosemite Valley.  This year we partnered with a tree farm in Michigan - Dutchmann Tree Farms - that provides online fundraising opportunities for non-profit organizations.  By ordering a tree or wreath online from Dutchmann, the Yosemite Lions Club received a portion of the proceeds to raise funds for community projects.  We raised just over $100 with this opportunity and everyone who ordered was very pleased with their tree or wreath.  We hope to spread the word about this great opportunity since purchasing a holiday tree and having it delivered to Yosemite with absolutely NO SHIPPING FEES seemed like a holiday gift in itself!  We'd like to thank Dutchmann Tree Farms for helping us help the Yosemite community.

After everyone took trips to the High Sierra in December and January due to the lack of snow, we realized that El Portal's Spring Fling is just around the corner in April.  The Yosemite Lions Club annually hosts a fundraising pancake breakfast at this event and we hope to have more details soon.  Soon after Spring Fling, the club will be sponsoring the Yosemite Hiking for a Cure team for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life fundraiser held in Mariposa on May 19, 2012.  Want to join our team and help fight cancer?  Check out our Team Page for details and if you can't join, consider donating to this worthy cause.

As always, we look forward to our summer fundraising events, the Mosquito Festival in Yosemite Valley and the Golf Tournament in Wawona.  If you've attended these events and have ideas or fond memories, we'd love to hear from you!  Don't forget to find us and "like" us on facebook, too.