Lions Club members preparing for All-Star Basketball games

Lions Club members preparing for All Star Basketball games Image

The date of the annual Benton Lions Club All-Star Basketball games was changed during the summer break to better coincide with the basketball season as members started planning for the March 30 event. Member Dave Severin said between 30 and 35 girls and boys had been earmarked for the annual games that are played at Rend Lake College. "The coaches nominate the players," he said. "They no longer have to be All-South or All-Conference to be nominated. This will be the 34th annual All-Star Games. When committee members met during the summer, we decided it makes more sense to hold the games when basketball is going on instead of waiting until June as we have done in the past." Severin said the tickets had arrived and would be given to businesses and individuals who purchase advertisements for the program booklet. Tickets will also be available at the door, he said. Severin suggested having tickets available at the door for participating schools and players in an effort to avoid the postage required to mail the tickets to the schools. Chair Terry Swift reported that Candy Day had concluded with a check from the land buyers of Sugar Camp Energy LLC coal mine. He said the $500 would help to underwrite costs associated with the annual fundraiser. Swift distributed a handcrafted thank-you card for review from one of the kids that attended Lions Camp held at Camp Manitowa located north of Benton, and a photo of the scholarship recipients. Members discussed nominations for alumnus of the year after learning that nominee John Malkovich would be out of the country during this year's event. Swift advised members to email their nominee suggestions to nominating committee chair Bill Dixon. Member Pat Kern said this year's awards ceremony would be held either April 15 or 22 depending on the winner's schedule. Members discussed the upcoming meeting schedule, with Christopher Lions Club member Jeff Troutt slated to speak during the Jan. 19 noon meeting. Program committee chair Dick Rouse said Troutt would be talking about the seeing eye dog that the Christopher club recently purchased. Severin suggested future meetings with the local Lions Clubs. He said Christopher, Thompsonville and West Frankfort all have active clubs. Meetings are Thursdays at the Benton Elks Lodge.

Lions Club members preparing for All-Star Basketball games

Share This Post:

Other Posts That May Interest You:

Leave a Reply