State Projects
The Michigan Lions All State Band became Lions fifth State Project after receiving approval by a vote of the membership during the May 2018 MD 11 Convention, held in Grand Blanc, MI.
History
Each year from 1948 to 1977, a high school band was selected to represent the Lions of Michigan in the annual parade at their international convention. In 1978, an all-state band was organized to honor and play for an incoming Lions International President from Michigan. This Lions All State Band was created and has appeared annually at conventions thereafter.
The All State Band has since become one of the Michigan Lions’ most acclaimed youth activities. The success of the band is attributable to outstanding students, excellent instructors, and dedicated support staff. Former band directors include Jon Francis, Walter Cole, Jim King, Mack Pittard, Matt Taton and Roger Weyersberg. The current director is Jason Russell.
Students from over 300 Michigan high schools and communities have participated in the band since its inception. The band averages 45-75 students.
Performances center around the band’s appearance at the Lions Clubs International Convention, held in major cities throughout the world during late June or early July. Additional concerts and appearances are schedules enroute to the convention site or during the homeward journey. The annual tour generally lasts 7 to 10 days. Major cities where the band has performed include Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, Phoenix, San Francisco, New Orleans, Honolulu, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Tokyo, Sydney, Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Montreal.
Goals
The Lions All-State Band provides its members with experience in four major areas.
Musical Performance
- Excellent musical literature and high-quality instruction contribute to long-term growth.
- Sectionals help students develop rhythm, intonation, and tone.
- Students return to their high school bands with more experience in performing
Travel & Education
- Worldwide travel promotes a better understanding of social, cultural, and ethical diversity.
- Increases students’ appreciation of the world through tourism and exposure to unique activities.
Sociological Growth
- Students develop social skills through interaction with fellow band members from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
- Many students experience their first opportunity to develop self-reliance through extended travel and absence from home.
- Lasting friendships are formed
“We Serve” – Exposure to the Lion’s Motto
- Concerts at hospitals, orphanages, and retirement centers enable students to bring joy to people and to those less fortunate than themselves.
- Students experience the personal satisfaction of the helping others which is the concept behind the Lions’ motto, “We Serve.”
Becky Dahlke, CEO
204 N. West Ct.
Ovid, MI 48866
989-277-9598
nickandwyattsmom@hotmail.com
Leader Dog School for the Blind
Leader Dogs for the Blind believes that everyone deserves a life of independence and mobility. All of their services are provided free of charge to their clients, including travel in the U.S. and Canada, room and board, equipment and training. This means that no one is excluded from living their most fulfilling life due to lack of funds.
Leader Dog programs are designed to provide people who are blind or visually impaired with the tools and training to reintroduce them to a life of confidence, safety and independence. Through their full-range of services- Guide Dog Training, Orientation & Mobility Training and Summer Experience Camp they meet the mobility needs of their clients at every stage of their life.
Leader Dogs for the Blind is 100% philanthropically funded by individual donors, Lions clubs, corporate partners and foundations. Simply put, they could not provide over one million days of independence each year without the immense generosity of their supporters, especially the Lions Clubs of Michigan.
Susan Daniels, President & CEO
1039 S. Rochester Road
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
Toll Free: 888-777-5332
Fax: 248-651-5812
leaderdog@leaderdog.org
leaderdog.org
Eversight Michigan is a charitable, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of sight through transplantation, research, education and partnership. Eversight recovers, evaluates and provides human eye tissue for transplantation; supports research into the causes and cures of blinding eye conditions; promotes donation awareness through public and professional education; and provides humanitarian aid to people around the world in need of sight-restoring services.
Diana Kern, Executive Director
4889 Venture Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Toll Free: 800-247-7250
Office: 734-780-2628
Fax: 734-780-2143
dkern@eversightvision.org
For more information, visit Eversight Michigan online
The Lions of Michigan Service Foundation (Lions of Michigan Foundation) is a Public Charity that was created in the early 1980’s to help Michigan Lions Clubs provide services in their communities. We are dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life of people in Michigan with unmet needs.
The Lions of Michigan Foundation works together with our Michigan Lions Clubs and other charities to deliver services aimed at helping people with sight and hearing deficiencies maintain their independence.
Chad McCann, Executive Director
5730 Executive Drive
Lansing, MI 48911
Phone: 517-887-6640 ext. 14
Fax: 517-887-6642
cmccann@lmsf.net
Please visit us online at www.lmsf.net
Lions Visually Impaired Youth Camp (Bear Lake Camp)
Lions Bear Lake Camp is owned and operated by Lions Visually Impaired Youth Camp, Inc., a Non Profit Corporation. The camp opened its doors in July, 2000. It is financially supported by Lions, Lioness and Leos throughout Michigan. They aspire to provide a premiere outdoor recreational/educational facility providing opportunities for people of special needs to enhance self-worth, attain independence, acquire social skills and realize their full potential as human beings. Bear Lake Camp is dedicated to working with the greater community and include them as a partner in addressing the needs of society. They provide an atmosphere that is wholesome, and encourages awareness and appreciation of the natural environment.
Dennis Tomkins, Director
3409 N. Five Lakes Road
Lapeer, MI 48446
Office: 810-245-0726
Fax: 810-245-0750
info@bearlakecamp.org
bearlakecamp.org
Make sure to view the Lions Bear Lake Camp video from “A Wider World” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahT_ssWW4kg
NOTE: Websites for the above-named projects are maintained by the individual organizations. The Lions of Michigan State Office is not responsible for their content.