title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CONGRATULATING THE PALOS LIONS CLUB ON ITS 70th ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, the Lions Clubs International got its start in Chicago in 1917. As a member of the Business Circle of Chicago, Melvin Jones, championed a community service program for the business community. Mr. Jones dreamed of being responsible, in part, for making the world a better place in which to live; and
WHEREAS, Lions Club International adopted the motto: “We Serve” and at the request of Helen Keller, they focused on eliminating blindness and helping individuals with vision problems. Within 30 years, a total of 8055 clubs and a total of 402,000 members in 28 countries had joined the Lions’ efforts; and
WHEREAS, in 1949, local businessmen in the Palos area chartered the Palos Lions Club, sponsored by the Oak Lawn Lions Club. Since the Palos Lions Club’s origin, its services have been dedicated primarily to the visually handicapped, however, continually expanding into other areas of need in the community; and
WHEREAS, the Palos Lions Club Charitable Giving Program supports traditional beneficiaries which include Camp Lions, Chicago Comets, The Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, Leader Dogs and The Lions of Illinois Foundation; and
WHEREAS, the Palos Lions Club Charitable Giving Program also supports local beneficiaries which include The Center, Together We Cope, Crisis Center, Twisted Sisters, Swaddle, Trinity Services and Special Olympics; and
WHEREAS, during the Christmas Season, the Palos Lions Club distributes over 50 Jewel grocery store gift cards in the amount of $100 dollars to needy families in the Palos area, and every year the Palos Lions Club offers a $1,000 dollar scholarship to be awarded to students from each of the three high schools in the Palos area; and
WHEREAS, to accomplish their financial goals, the Palos Lions Club holds major fundraising activities which include Candy Day, Christmas Tree Sales, Monthly Raffle and Bears Football Night, and members can also be found volunteering their time at local public events cooking grilled corn on the cob where all proceeds are put into the Palos Lions’ charitable programs; and
WHEREAS, as part of their 70th Anniversary Celebration, the Palos Lions will host a “First Responders Appreciation Night” Dinner on October 16, 2019 which will honor the service of local police and fire first responders; and
WHEREAS, the Palos Lions Club is proud to honor Detective John Parnitzke from the Palos Heights Police Department, Fire Fighter/Paramedic Thomas O’Connor of the Palos Fire Protection District, Detective Diana Campbell of the Palos Park Police Department, Lieutenant John Roe III of the North Palos Fire Protection District, Officer Ahmad Sows of the Palos Hills Police Department, Officer James Cha of the Palos Hills Police Department, and Units #6422 & #6402 of the Palos Heights Fire Protection District; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, The Cook County Board President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby congratulate the founders, members and supporters of the Palos Lions Club on their 70th Anniversary; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the proceedings of this Honorable Body and that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Palos Lions Club in honor of its noble work and remarkable impact in their community.
end