News Vinton Lions Club Donation Helps Save a Life

The Vinton Lions Club held their regular Wednesday meeting at the Pizza Ranch.  There were 53 members and 1 guest present.  President Julie Zimmer reported to the members that three years ago the Lions Club donated portable defibrillators to the Vinton Police department.  Recently, one of those units was used to help save the life of a man having a heart related episode.  That is the third time since the Lions Club’s donation that the portable units have been used successfully by police.

   Several members had items to bring to the membership.  Member Pat Lyons reported there are only two weeks left for members and spouses to sign up for the Iowa Theatre Company dinner theatre performance trip to the Amana Colonies.  Member Emily Wilson will be hosting the program next week.  She said members need to come to the Pizza Ranch early to eat because after lunch, the meeting will move across the street to the Palace Theatre.  Legion Commander Roger Uthoff will present a DVD program about the recent Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C.  Anyone who is interested in seeing the video can come to the Palace Theatre next Wednesday.  The program will begin at approximately 12:35pm and lasts 15 minutes.

  After the business portion of the meeting, member Emily Wilson presented guest speaker Dave Wessling, who gave the members an update on the new concession stand and restrooms at the Marv Lindsey baseball complex in Vinton.  The new improvements cost $39,000, and have received many compliments from the teams that came to the two tournaments held recently.  “We had 32 teams over that weekend from five different states.  The teams from Wisconsin and Minnesota were amazed by our facilities here”, he said.  Wessling and the rest of the Baseball and Softball Association board are trying to raise funds to pay down the cost of the improvements.  Most of the program’s income is derived from concession stand sales and player fees.  “There is no more sponsorship along the back fence.  Those days are gone,” Wessling said.        

The Vinton Lions Club is one of the largest and most active service organizations in Vinton.  The club meets every Wednesday at the Vinton Pizza Ranch.  Each week members hear an interesting program and enjoy the company of their fellow Lions Club members.  The Lions Club food trailer can be seen at numerous community events in Vinton throughout the year.  Funds from the sales of funnel cakes and other goodies are used to support many community projects.  If you would like more information on becoming a Lion, please contact any Lions Club member, or join us for lunch at the Vinton Pizza Ranch at noon on Wednesdays.