Community & Clubs: Lions dole out more than $17,000 for charity

Harbor Mesa Lions at a recent meeting presented local charitable organizations with funds to help their causes. The club has held fundraising events such as a casino night, a garage sale, bingo night, candy sales and a fashion show to raise more than $17,000 to donate back to those in need.

Local charities included the Boys & Girls Club, Share Our Selves, Youth Employment Services, Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter, Blind Children’s Learning Center, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Angels Charity, Second Harvest Food Bank and many Lions projects.

“We certainly are grateful for the support we receive from the local citizens, which enables us to help these organizations,” said Harbor Mesa President Carol Proctor.

The Lions also volunteer to work city events and other organizations’ fundraisers. This year, they donated and planted 20 trees in two community parks, and members volunteered their services to assist with Working Wardrobes’ event, which provides prom attire to students in various high schools.

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Girls State delegates selected

The Newport Harbor American Legion Auxiliary has selected delegates and alternates from nine local high schools to attend the 2012 Girls State Conference this summer at Claremont McKenna College, according to Girls State Chair Cynthia Culp.

Selected were Darcie Ellen Marshall and Meredith Davin, Corona del Mar High School; Alyssa Dasca and Trista Bell, Costa Mesa High School; Maren Rascon McClanahan and Casandra Stevenson, Estancia High School; Kaela Acuff and Sierra Schiano, Irvine High School; Sydney Dexter and Rachel Barney, Newport Harbor High School; Ha Eun (Hannah) Kim and Yun (Belle) Sung , Northwood High School; Hoyeon (Lauren) Lee and Megan Schultz, Woodbridge High School; Mackenzie Sambuco and Molly Wang, Sage Hill School; Karishma Kodia and Jaclyn Castelar, University High School.

Girls State is a one-week conference in which young women study local, county and state government processes. Approximately 500 young women attend from throughout the state. Girls State helps young women develop leadership skills, confidence and poise while learning about their duties as United States citizens.

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DAR hands out awards

More than 500 people packed the Norm Loates Theater at Newport Harbor High School for the annual Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen awards, according to Karen Treaccar, DAR coordinator.

The awards are presented annually to a member of the graduating class from each high school who has shown outstanding leadership. The recipient’s name is engraved on the DAR plaque, which is permanently displayed at his or her school.

Each recipient also receives the Garrett Senior Class Award. This award of $400 per student is provided by the Garrett family in honor of their father, Lionel Garrett. Honored were Blake Myers, Corona del Mar; Edith Esparza, Costa Mesa; Yuri Arriaza, Estanica; and Ismerai Rodriguez, Newport Harbor.

The DAR Junior American Citizens Award is directed to any school-age child to promote good citizenship and appreciation of America’s heritage and history. Junior American Citizens Chapter and STATE Winners from St. Joachim Catholic School (first grade) were Ava Burton, first place state and second place Southwestern Division; Piper Tysee, second place, and Ashley Plantenga, honorable mention.

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Mr. Irrelevant

Don’t forget to tune into ESPN on Saturday, when Irrelevant Week Founder Paul Salata, commemorating its 37th year, will again announce the final selection of the 77th NFL draft of college players in New York.

I made my pick: a player from Mankato State.

Did you make yours?

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Thought for the day

“The ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy.”

—Martin Luther King Jr.

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SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

You are invited to attend a service club meeting this coming week to learn more about opportunities for service. Most clubs will buy your first meal for you as you get acquainted with them.

TODAY

Noon: The Exchange Club of Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, 1601 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar.

5:30 p.m.: The 57-member Rotary Club of Newport Balboa meets at BCYC to listen to Rotarian Bob Sellinger talk about his experiences in Zambia and Zimbabwe on behalf of Rotary. https://www.newportbalboa.org

THURSDAY

7 a.m.: The 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club meets at Mimi’s Café, Newport & Harbor Blvds., Costa Mesa.

Noon: The 45-member Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach-Corona del Mar meets at BCYC. For more information, visit https://www.newportbeachkiwanis.org.

The 95-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at BCYC for a presentation of the “Proudly We Hail” award and an update on the Child Abuse Prevention Center. For more information visit https://www.nhexchange.org.

The Kiwanis Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Costa Mesa Golf and Country Club, 1701 Golf Course Drive, Costa Mesa. For more information, visit https://www.costamesakiwanis.org.

The 55-member Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the University Club, 801 E. Peltason Drive, Irvine, for a program by Richard (Ric) Franzi, on the subject of Critical Mass for Business. Visit https://www.ni-rotary.org.

TUESDAY

7:15 a.m.: The 58-member Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at Working Wardrobes for a program by Dr. Jack Shohet, otologist/neurotologist. For more information visit https://www.newportbeachsunriserotary.org.

COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published twice monthly on Wednesdays. Send your service club’s meeting information email to [email protected].