Portland Bentham
Lions Club

Club Projects and Activities

The Portland Bentham Lions Club has raised funds over the years for many organizations and charities. We have mainly supported the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation, Camp Taloali (a summer camp for deaf youths), Sunshine Division, Reach Center for Children, and Salvation Army. We have also funded many with eye glasses, hearing aids, eye prosthesis, Christmas baskets, and clothing. During the years when we had youth exchange with our sister clubs in Finland and Japan, we helped defray part of the expense. We have also periodically responded to special needs in individual situations.

Historically the club has had many fund raising projects. During the early years, we sponsored the AAU boxing program, singing concerts, variety shows, and benefit dinners. During the 1980's we sold Christmas trees, Gyro sandwiches at the Portland Octoberfest, manned vender booths at PSU football games, had flower sales, and recycled newspaper. Our current ongoing projects are selling Lion Mints, Entertainment Books, Fourth of July fireworks, and garage sales. Recently we even raffled off a used Volkswagen Beetle.

The Portland Bentham Lions Club has performed many service projects at Camp Taloali. Some club members have delivered eyes for the Eye Bank. Others have volunteered at the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation and the Mobile Screening Unit. We have participated in the Lions Quest program, Flags for First Graders, Peace Poster Contest, Journey for Sight, Mane Event Auction, and Operation Phonebook. We have also participated in many District 36-O projects.

 
                                               

Portland Marathon Aid Station - October 2006                                           Christmas Tree Recycling - December 2006     

(Photos from Steve Thomson)

Lion Cannon Kitayama, March 1998