DG Ely Mateo and 1st VDG Donna Freidel and 2nd VDG Terry Rosiak are on the road traveling to clubs all across the district throughout the 2022-23 Lions Year.
Highlands Lions Club
On Monday April 3, 2023, District Governor Ely Mateo made his annual visit to the Highlands Lions Club. Thanks to their current Leadership, they are making strides to be one of the best Lions Clubs in the Northern half of District 16 L. Thanks to Club President Gina B. Melnyk and her energetic style, the club will achieve all their goals during this Lion year and next.
~ Contributed by DG Ely Mateo 
West Long Branch Lions Club
DG Ely Mateo visited with the West Long Branch Lions Club on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. DG Ely Mateo presented two club members with a pin chevron and a letter from Lions International President Brian Sheehan recognizing their years of service as Lions: Marcel Sassola and Wiliam Deisinger - both for 40 years! 
Ventnor Margate Lions Club
District Governor Ely Mateo visited the Ventnor Margate Lions Club on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at Sofia Restaurant in Margate City. During his visit, he presented two distinguished Lions with their tenure Monarch Chevron awards: Frederick E Frisch - 50 years and Walter Rinaldo Walter Rinaldo - 55 years. DG Ely also had a 60 year award for Lion John Campbell which will be presented to a member of his family since he has since passed.
 
Brick Township Lions Club
March 22, 2023 marked DG Ely Mateo's visit with the Brick Township Lions Club at their dinner meeting. A Chevron award was presented by the District Governor to Lion Paul Valenti for his 15 years of service as a Lion. DG Ely had tenure awards for three other members who were un able to attend: Matt Placco (30 years), Donna Merchant (25 years) and Carolyn Cameron (15 years).
 
LEFT PHOTO: Members of the Brick Township Lions Club RIGHT PHOTO: Club President Chuck Boyles and Paul Valenti with his 15 yr award
Bestwork Industries for the Blind, Inc.
On April 4, 2023, District Governor Ely Mateo and several other 16L Lions took a tour of the facilities in Cherry Hill. During their visit, they met with staff and witnessed production first hand. To learn more about Bestwork Industries for the Blind, Inc. (a District 16L Project) visit their website https://bestworkindustries.org/ Above: Left to Right: MD-16 CC Bob Friedel, Jon Katz - President and CEO of Bestwork Industries, International Director Jeff Gans, 2nd VDG Terry Rosiak, PDG MaryAnn Ragone DeLambily and DG Ely Mateo.
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DISTRICT AND MULTIPLE DISTRICT DATES TO REMEMBER
- April is Environmental Awareness Month, Leo Awareness Month
- April 8, 2023 - Doctor's Speak followed by the LERF Hotdog Crawl
- April 15, 2023 - Deadline to submit nomination forms for District 16L Charitable Foundation position
- April 24, 2023 - District 16L Cabinet Meeting – Ramblewood Country Club, Mt. Laurel, 6:30pm Sign In, 7:00pm Meeting & Dinner
- April 30, 2023 - Report your 2022-23 Club Officers in MyLCI
FOR INDVIDUAL LIONS CLUB EVENTS, SEE THE 16L EXPRESS EMAILS OR CALENDAR
REMINDER: Flyers about upcoming CLUB events, and fundraisers, etc. should be sent to Rochelle Stern rstern5019@gmail.com for inclusion in the 16L Express email. Flyers about future club events are not included in the Governor's Gazette. To see the District 16L calendar, visit: http://e-district.org/sites/16l/page-8.php
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Welcome to our New Members
Lions registered in MyLCI during March 2023
DISTRICT 16L MEMBERBSHIP
As of March 31st: 1331
Added Members since July1 : 134
Dropped Members since July 1: 172
Net Loss: 38 members
Congratulations to our newest members and their sponsors.
Brigantine Lions Club
Dana Kabala ~ Sponsor: Dee Miller
Highlands Lions Club
Patricia Hoffman ~ Sponsor: Gina Melnyk
Medford Lakes Lions Club
Shawn P Collins ~ Sponsor: Kevin Koch
Gail Crane ~ Sponsor: Marianne Devine
In Memorium
Lions Clubs International has been notified of the passing of the following Lions who were listed as active members at the time of their passing. Our deepest condolences to their family, friends, and members of their Lions Club.
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LEEDS Parade of Checks luncheon
$5,200 club and individual donations received
Larry Caminiti, LEEDS President; Sharon Ishimasa, PDG Takeo Ishimasa, Valarie Mckee, PID Melvyn Bray, PDG David Skrivanek, Lou Schovanec and Bob Harris
Twenty District 16 L and 16 J Lions Club representatives and their spouses attended the annual LEEDS Parade of Checks luncheon at the Lemon Restaurant located in Freehold Township, NJ on Saturday, March 11, 2023. In a few words, the food and service were very good as was the fellowship of all in attendance.
After the opening ceremonies were completed, the election of officers was held and by unanimous vote the results were as follows: Larry Caminiti, President; Clarence Brown, Vice President; George Feldman, Treasurer; Linda Harris, Secretary; and John Allen, Membership.
A proposal to donate $500 to the NJ Lion Katzenbach Committee was also unanimously approved and a check was presented to Lion Bob Harris, President of the Katzenbach committee.
President Larry Caminiti advised that our vision screeners are becoming obsolete as parts are no longer available to keep them in operating condition. He stated that only 4 LEEDS cameras work. He is looking into the purchase of new cameras with our current supplier. Clarence Brown provided Larry with information on a new camera that his club in Delaware has purchased and this will be looked into as well.
Brief reports were given by each of the clubs regarding vision screenings, eye exams and glasses requested by school nurses, club projects completed and upcoming events. Membership and fundraising were also discussed as continuing issues primarily due to covid.
Club and individual donations amounted to $5,200.00 dollars. The clubs and their presenters were:
- Allentown President Chuck Tkachuck
- Colts Neck Lion Andy Lodato
- Freehold Twp. Secretary Gordon Frank & Lion Rich Allen
- Hightstown Lions Linda & Bob Harris
- Howell Zone Chair Bob Johnson
- Middletown Lion Rich LaBarbera
- Neptune President, Clarence Brown, PDG
- Oceanport PDG Takeo Ishimasa
- Stafford PDG Dave Skrivanek & Treasurer Lou Schovanek
- Toms River PID Mel Bray & Secretary Valarie Mckee
Individual checks received:
- Lion Larry & Denise Caminiti
- Lion Takeo & Sharon Ishimasa
- Lions John & Eleanor Allen
In addition, a check was received in the mail from 1VDG Donna Freidel on behalf of the Clayton-Glassboro Lions Club.
On behalf of the Officers of the Lions Eye, Ear & Diabetes Vision Centers, I wish to thank all the Lions and their spouses who attended the luncheon and the clubs that they represented as well as Donna Freidel and the Clayton-Glassboro Lions Club.
~ Contributed by PDG John Allen
POC Luncheon attendees: Richard Allen, Geannine Allen-McGrath, Andrew Lotano, Leslie Trachuk, Chuck Trachuk, Gordon Frank, Rich LaBarbara, PDG Clarence Brown and Linda Harris.
Linda Harris, Bob Harris and Lou Schovanec of the Hightstown-East Windsor Lions Club at the POC Luncheon on March 11, 2023
POC Luncheon attendees: Richard LaBarbera, Gordon Frank, Chuck Trachuk, Leslie Trachuk, Andy Lotano, Geannie Allen-McGrath, Richard Allen and Eleanor Allen.
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Murder Mystery Dinner & Fun
District 16 L Charitable Foundation fundraiser
Guests were entertained by a performance of "Ding, Dong, the Don is Dead" at the District 16L Charitable Foundation's fundraising dinner at O'Connor's American Bar & Grille in Easthampton on March 25, 2023. Good natured members of the audience assisted two professional actors by playing the roles of suspects and "family" members, as clues were presented, before and after a delicious buffet dinner.
A basket auction, 50/50 and silent auction wrapped up the evening. Funds raised will be used to provide grants for projects proposed by the Lions Clubs of District 16L. Congratulations to the Dinner Committee, and thank you to the attendees, and the clubs that supported the event by donating baskets and taking program ads
To see more photos, click on this link to the Murder Mystery Album.
Above: Some of the "unusual" suspects who graciously agreed to play roles in the presentation of "Ding, Dong, the Don is Dead". Left to Right, Fran Mulherin, ZC Heather Roark, 1st VDG Donna Freidel, 2nd VDG Terry Rosiak, PDG Dawn Kosobucki and PDG Kevin Kosobucki.
Below: (Left to right) PDG Al and Donna Mottola; Heather Roark (the guilty party) and "The Don"/Detective; PDG Dawn Kosobucki and PCC Al Olizi; ZC Bill Phillips and ZC Tal Kramer.
   
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Service Scenes is a collection of photographs depicting District Lions and Leos in action serving their communities. This column also includes helpful tips from clubs about ideas they had to make their project more successful.
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Westville Lions Club - Busy March at the Lions Den
Top Photo: Members of the Westville Lions Club met on March 28, 2023 to stuff eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt Photo Bottom Left: 1stVDG Donna Friedel and 2nd VDG Terry Rosiak provided leadership training for the Westville Lions at the Lions Den on March 5, 2023. Photo Bottom Right: 1st VDG Donna Freidel spoke on Diabetes Action and Awareness at the March 21st meeting and received a $300 check for the upcoming Strides Walk in May.
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Haddonfield Lions Club - Pasta Bowl
The Haddonfield Lions Club held their annual Pasta Bowl fundraiser at the First Presbyterian Church on April 1, 2023. This family friendly event featured great food and a basket auction. Lions and the Haddonfield Memorial High School Leos, all worked hard to make for a successful event.
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 Service Tip for your club:: The District and Multiple District have Approved Projects that need hands on help (as well as monetary donations). If your club is looking to change up its service activities, or add a new one, reach out to a Lions District Project or Lions State Project to see if there is something they need.
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Middletown Lions Club - Bayshore Lunch Program
Spring rain could not dampen the spirits or the attendance by the Middletown Lions Club from serving their 171st Lunch Meal through their monthly program "Lion Tamer 4th Friday" on March 24, 2023 at the Bayshore Lunch Program in Keyport.
Thanks to the leadership of Lion Larry Caminiti, a feast was served to warm the chilly Friday morning. Grilled Cheese on the thickest freshest white bread and a side of chips, a bowl of hot tomato soup, a garden salad of green leafy lettuce and spinach topped with diced apples, carrots, cranberries, topped with feta cheese and croutons, assorted cookies for dessert and choice of drinks. We had a nice group of folks who demolished this lunch with hardly anything left over. The Lions are so generous with their time and with providing a meal for those who come to this program to receive a meal that sends them on their way feeling cared for. Thank you to those who joined the Lions to prepare and serve this meal from the Mid-Dem Community Outreach Group from Middletown. Mid-Dem outreach will provide, prepare and serve their meal on the rest of the 5th Fridays in 2023.
Pictured standing are Lion Chef Larry, Lion Nancy, June, Linda and Kevin from Mid-Dem Community Outreach, Lion Jenny, seated, Lion John, Dora from Mid-Dem and Lion President Beverly. Not pictured is Lion Jeff, Past President.
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Avalon Lions Club - Blind Center of the Jersey Cape Donation
The Blind Center of the Jersey Cape helps blind and visually impaired people expand their world with programs, trips, entertainment and education. The center has meeting facilities located in the Avalon United Methodist Church located at 33rd and Dune Drive. Participants come from all over Cape May County using county operated vans to attend meetings and enjoy field trips. The Lions donated $2,000 to the center from money raised through the club’s various events and collection drives held throughout the year. The Blind Center is anxious to host more blind and visually impaired neighbors who are interested. theblindcenterofthejerseycape@gmail.com 
Doctor Loretta Finnegan, Avalon Lions 2nd Vice President (second from right) presents donations to Phil Harrison, President, Blind Center of the Jersey Cape (second from left). They are joined by Carol Fiore and Jack MacVeigh.
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Eatontown Lions Club - Pancake Breakfast
The Eatontown Lion's Spring Pancake Breakfast, a community fundraising event, was held April 1, 2023 at the Meadowbrook School. In addition to delicious pancakes, sausages, coffee and orange juice, the club provides an affordable opportunity for families to have their children take pictures with Easter Bunny.
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Service Scenes
Submitting your photos to the Governor's Gazette
Service Scenes is a collection of photographs depicting District Lions in action serving their communities. Like to see your club featured here? Send your "best shot" of your club's fundraiser or event and we'll do our best to include as many as we can. We DO NOT include write ups about club meetings, with the exception of major anniversary celebrations.
Please send an email with a high resolution photograph to Lions16LExpress@gmail.com (PDG Karen) to be included in the next edition of "Service Scenes". Please try to submit only one photo per event. Pick your "best shot" and submit it with a caption that tells the "who, what, when, and where" details about the photo and event. If you have a lot of photos you'd like to share, create an Album on Facebook or other site, and we'll include a link to it in the Gazette. Photos taken on older cell phones do not work well in this medium.
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District or Multiple District Projects or Clubs needing a few more hands to carry out a successful project, can put out a call out for help in the Service Opportunities column. This is for "hands on" help - not to sell merchandise or tickets to an event. To be listed, send your service needs (time, location, tasks) and who to contact to the Gazette editor via: Lions16LExpress@gmail.com.
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Flight for Sight Balloon Festival
PCC Jack Romano will be coordinating volunteers
 Each of the three New Jersey Lions districts will be expected to provide approximately 50 volunteers to help run the Balloon Festival Fundraiser at the Flying W in Medford, June 16-18, 2023. Volunteers will be needed Friday evening, and on Saturday and Sunday. There will be a need for all types of helpers - from selling admissions and manning information booths about Lions Global Causes - to supervising the children's play area, to collecting trash. We are hoping to have jobs divvied up into two hour shifts - so Lions can also have an opportunity to enjoy the festival. Tee shirts will be provided for volunteers so that patrons can readily identify them
PCC Jack Romano (District 16N) has graciously agreed to take on the scheduling task. Watch this space for additional information and links to the online volunteer sign-ups. In the meantime, put this event on your calendar if you are interested in helping out. Proceeds from the event will help the Multiple District 16 Lions with expenses expected when New Jersey hosts the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum for thousands of Lions and Leos, in Atlantic City in September 2025. Visit https://njlions.org/flightforsight/ for additional information about the Balloon Festival. Lions interested in signing up to take a balloon ride, should contact CC Bob Friedel or 1stVDG Donna Friedel. ($20 for a tethered ride, and $300 for a trip.) Schedule your ride now, so you will know when you are free to volunteer.
USABA NE Regional Goalball Tournament returns to South Jersey
Great opportunity for Lions and Leo Clubs to serve
The Association for Blind Athletes of New Jersey (ABANJ) will be hosting over 100 athletes from all over the country for the 2023 Gunderman Goalball Classic. Volunteers are needed to assist ABANJ and the Westmont Lions Club with the Goalball tournament to be held at Haddon Township Hight School Friday night, April 14, 2023, all day Saturday, April 15th and in the morning on Sunday, April 16th.
Goalball is the most popular team sport for the blind and visually impaired. The sport originated in 1946 when Austrian Hanz Lorrenzen and German Sett Reindle developed the game as a way to keep blinded WWII veterans physically active. Goalball has since become the premier team sport for blind athletes and is played competitively in 112 countries.
Volunteers are needed for time keeping, line judging, scoring, escorts and driving. No experience or knowledge of the game is needed, you will be trained. All volunteers should wear comfortable clothes and sneakers, and line judges should be able to swiftly retrieve game balls that go out of bounds during play. School & Community service hours will be signed off if needed.
You can volunteer your time for the day, or even a few hours. Your service will help this tournament run smoothly for these athletes. It takes 9 volunteers per court to run a game, and several games will be going on simultaneously in the early tournament rounds. They are also looking for a volunteer who has access to a van and can help transport the athletes to and from the Philadelphia airport to the gyms and hotels
To volunteer please contact Westmont Lions club members Kimberley Schemeley at 856.495.9727 or kimberleyschemeley@gmail.com, or Bonnie Richards at 856.577.8630 or bmrrich@msn.com. Lions Bonnie and Kim would be happy to coordinate with Leo Club Advisors to schedule times for Leos to help out.
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Looking for an out of town getaway?
Register now for one of these great Lions events!
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The deadline to submit materials for the next edition of the Governor's Gazette is May1, 2023. Please send information to The Governor's Gazette editor, PDG Karen Ressler via email to: Lions16LExpress@gmail.com.
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