Our Nomination

Academy Award – Outstanding Large Club Project 2016-17

I am attaching the nomination letter I wrote for the MD-4 Academy awards in the category of Outstanding project – large club. Unfortunately, another District won the award. Truthfully, I was quite disappointed that none of the 7 nominations I submitted won. That being said, I think that the adoption of the Sycamore School was a groundbreaking project.

IPDG Jamie Hart

Outstanding project – Large Club, “Adoption of Sycamore School”

Our District’s nominee for an outstanding project speaks to how Lions can quickly be inspired and run with an idea. The inception of this project began in March of 2016when a representative of Sycamore Elementary School shared a hope to create a sanctuary for kids dealing with trauma during a meeting of this Lions Club. Her plan was to give children having experiencing trauma a chance to learn “Skills of Independence”. Instead of feelings of powerlessness, worthlessness, and helplessness, the children would learn to cope with their emotions by finding how to center themselves and control their behavior. Through human connection, instead of walking in circles wringing their hands or crying, they could learn to self-regulate, coping a constructive versus destructive way. A few months after visiting the school, the Club inspired by the program, decided to help in any way possible, and adopted the school as a project.

The big part of the project was the creation of a PALZ room, standing for “Peace and Love Zone”. Over a period of from July to early September, 2016 they converted an ordinary room to a bright colored room filled with wall posters; 5 cupboards, each with an individual color, holding matching containers of crayons, board game and toys; white glider chairs with an inviting teddy bear to cuddle with;a yellow colored carpet to soften the look of the floor; blue painted tables to draw or do homework on and big bean bags to sink into. Even the door serving as an entry into this “sanctuary” was painted a welcoming sunny yellow. Members of the Club put in many hours of painting and laying out the room, spending nearly $900 purchasing the above items, based on the Schools wish list provided at the start of the project. When touring the facility, the editor of the Lions Clubs’ Web page could not get over how polite and appreciative the children were. The article went on to reveal that the Principal of the school shared how the kids benefitted from having positive adult role models of the Lions Club members, by experiencing a culture of love and caring.

Involvement with the Sycamore Elementary school didn’t end here, however. In December, $60 was generated by “passing the hat” at one of their meetings. This money went toward purchase of cuddly teddy bears, used as incentives and rewards for utilizing their positive coping skills. Later, the Club members handed out candy canes during the school’s Christmas party. Interaction with the school continued, with some of Club members reading Dr. Seuss books to the children. The Lions Club completed the school year by being a part of a celebratory barbeque held in June of 2017.

Therefore, it is with honor that this Club be nominated for the MD-4 Academy Awards of Lionism for Outstanding Project by a Large Club. The project epitomizes what Lions can do to help change lives of children who have suffered trauma, whether it be physical or psychological abuse, losing a loved one or having been a part of or witness to a tragic event,by having a sanctuary were the children feel loved, valued, protected and respected.

Club information: Redding Breakfast LionsClub (#1970), PO Box 991675, Redding, CA 96099. Lion Jim Reimer, President 2016-17 (H): 530 229 0029