Service Clubs

Following last week's earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Eberhard J. Wirfs, chairman of the Lions Club International Foundation, e-mailed this statement to club members: "Lions, we respond immediately, alongside our fellow Lions of Japan. Within hours of the disaster, Lions Clubs International Foundation committed over $1.25 million [or ¥101.07 million] … for immediate relief for Japan. This includes a major catastrophe grant, six emergency grants and designated donations from Lions worldwide.

Service clubs in Newport-Mesa have a variety of activities going in response to Hurricane Katrina. The Costa Mesa Newport Harbor Lions Club will host a barbecue at the Train Station on Sept. 17 and 18 to raise funds for Katrina relief. We will have details in next week's column. The Rotary Clubs of Newport-Balboa, Newport Irvine and Newport Beach Sunrise are collecting funds to purchase Shelter Boxes. The Shelter Box provides a 10-person tent, 10 sleeping bags, a cook stove with pots and mess kits, and a six-month supply of water purification tablets for 10 people, as well as collapsible water jugs, tools and other essential survival equipment.

There are a lot of reasons why people join an Exchange, Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary or Soroptimist club. One of the main reasons people stay as a member are the speakers they have at their meetings. The speakers and their subjects vary from week to week and they are always informative. For example, George Grupe, a historian and noted speaker, held the Exchange Club of Corona del Mar spellbound last week with his presentation on Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. On Thursday, the Exchange Club of Newport Harbor will hear from the youngest survivor of "Schindler's List," Leon Leyson.

Looking for an all-expenses-paid four-week trip to a beautiful and exciting island? Well, look no further, said Bret Gerdes, Rotary District 5320’s governor. The district is looking for applicants for the 2010 Group Study Exchange team, which will visit District 3500, in northwest Taiwan, between March 14 and April 11. Home to the verdant mountains of Wulai and the spectacular cliffs of Penghu, Taiwan is a jewel unknown to most Americans. Named Formosa (Beautiful Island)

The 116 members of Orange Coast College's Circle K Club invite Circle K alumni to "A Splash of Color," the service club's end-of-year banquet May 27. The event will take place at OCC's Student Center. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and dinner, catered by the Newport Rib Co., will be served at 7 p.m. Alumni are invited to reserve a seat, at the presale price of $18, by sending an email by May 20 to tinamtqnguyen@gmail.com . Tickets at the door will cost $20. The banquet theme represents the club's diversity and each club member's contributions toward community service.

Following last week's earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Eberhard J. Wirfs, chairman of the Lions Club International Foundation, e-mailed this statement to club members: "Lions, we respond immediately, alongside our fellow Lions of Japan. Within hours of the disaster, Lions Clubs International Foundation committed over $1.25 million [or ¥101.07 million] … for immediate relief for Japan. This includes a major catastrophe grant, six emergency grants and designated donations from Lions worldwide.

This is a busy time of the year for our communities' service clubs. Some club members are ringing Salvation Army bells and staffing the donation kettles at local shopping centers. Others are delivering food and Christmas gifts to families in need. Still others are partnering with their Interact or Key Club groups, and decorating their Rose Parade floats in time for the New Year's Day parade in Pasadena. Speaking of the Rose Parade, the Kiwanis International Float will be seventh in the parade lineup, while the Lions International float will be No. 48 and Rotary International's float No. 51. The parade begins at 8 a.m. on Jan. 1. The best TV viewing in Southern California will be on KTLA Channel 5. Circle K at OCC The Orange Coast College Circle K Club, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Costa Mesa, has become a force of community service in Costa Mesa.

Looking for an all-expenses-paid four-week trip to a beautiful and exciting island? Well, look no further, said Bret Gerdes, Rotary District 5320’s governor. The district is looking for applicants for the 2010 Group Study Exchange team, which will visit District 3500, in northwest Taiwan, between March 14 and April 11. Home to the verdant mountains of Wulai and the spectacular cliffs of Penghu, Taiwan is a jewel unknown to most Americans. Named Formosa (Beautiful Island)

The Orange County Fair & Exposition Center will host the Head to Toe Women?s Expo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. More than 250 exhibits will cover aspects of modern womanhood, ranging from finances and careers to fashion and home decor. Two stages at the event will showcase the latest trends in hair and fashion, cooking demonstrations and a host of speakers. The expo?s ?Body & Soul City,? will exhibit the latest in salon and spa services, skin care, make-up, health management, and women?

There are a lot of reasons why people join an Exchange, Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary or Soroptimist club. One of the main reasons people stay as a member are the speakers they have at their meetings. The speakers and their subjects vary from week to week and they are always informative. For example, George Grupe, a historian and noted speaker, held the Exchange Club of Corona del Mar spellbound last week with his presentation on Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. On Thursday, the Exchange Club of Newport Harbor will hear from the youngest survivor of "Schindler's List," Leon Leyson.