Stafford Lions Club

Special thanks to the Lions Club members who have been with us for so long.

We want to give a huge thanks to all our fathers and daughters (and other parents) who came out and partied with us last week at the Lions’ Club Father Daughter Dance. We also want to wish you all a very happy Valentine’s Day.

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Two employees of Fidelco Dog Training paid us a visit for our first meeting of the year. We had an amazing time learning about dog training for the visually impaired and interacting with two of their latest furry students.

The Stafford Lions Club participated in the Stafford Safe Net program to help deliver Thanksgiving meals to families in need.

Come see us in the Stafford Winterfest Parade. December 14, 2024 from 3:00-7:00. The parade starts up at 5:00.

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Come see us in downtown Stafford on October 26th for the annual Trick or Treat on Main. The event runs from 4:00pm till 6:00pm.

But get there early! The streets close down at 2:00 for setup.

The rain date is the next day, October 27th, at the same time.

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The Stafford Lions Club Peace Poster Contest is upon us! The deadline to drop off completed posters at the Stafford Library is November 1, 2024, before 5:00pm.

Children who will be 11, 12, or 13 on November 15, 2024 are eligible to enter.

The theme this year is “Peace Without Limits”. Posters must be no smaller than 11” x 20” and no larger than 20” x 24”. Only one entry per child. All artwork must be the individual student’s original creation. Duplications are not accepted. All media are accepted, although chalk, charcoal, pastels, and similar must be sealed with a fixative spray to prevent smearing. Do not laminate entries.

The winner of our district’s contest will be entered into the Lions Club International Poster Contest, with the potential to win the grand prize of $5,000.

As an additional treat, the Stafford Lions Club is partnering with the Stafford Library and their OASIS program. Join us on October 29, 2024 at 6:00pm at the Stafford Library for a night of creativity and crafting to work on your Peace Posters. Children of all ages are welcome to participate in the poster creation during the OASIS event, but only children ages 11, 12, and 13 can enter their posters into the Peace Poster Contest.

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The Stafford Lions Club will have a booth at the Stafford Applefest, on September 28, 2024. Come see us at the Haymarket Common and celebrate the beginning of Fall!

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Special congradulations to Lion Paul Wentworth, newest recipient for the Lions Ambassador of Sight Award.

The Ambassador of Sight is the Lions Low Vision Center Board commendation for outstanding service to the Lions Club and those they serve. This award recognizes the attributes of generosity, compassion, and concern for others.

Thanks for all your service, Paul!!

Congrats to the winners of the 2024 American Legion Cornhole Tournament, Caleb and Stan Calabrese.

And a huge thanks to everyone who participated!! We look forward to seeing you next year!!

As the Stafford Lions wrap up our regular meetings for the summer, we welcome the members who have joined us during the year and celebrate swearing in our new cabinet. Thanks to all our members for your unyielding support for our club and we look forward to another great year!

Save the date!! Saturday, July 20, 2024 will be the Stafford Lions’ other Annual Cornhole Tournament.

At the American Legion Post 26. 10 Monson Rd. in Stafford, CT.

Registration and practice begin at 1:00pm, with the tournament beginning at 2:00pm. Registration is $25 per-person.

The tournament will be a single elimination. Blind draw for initial match followed by point standing. Entry fees will be split 50/50 between the Lions and the winning teams.

• First place will get 60% of the pot and a trophy
• Second place will get 30% of the pot and a trophy
• Third place will get 10% of the pot and a trophy

Bring a partner or enter by yourself, and we will team you up!

Contact Paul Wentworth at pdubs0015@gmail.com with any questions or to talk about pre-registration.

Click here to view our promotional flyer

Come see us at Stafford Summerfest for our 3rd Annual Cornhole Tournament on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at the Stafford School Complex, 145 Orcuttville Rd.

Registration is $25 per person. Registration and practice begin at 5:00pm with the tournament beginning at 6:00pm.

The tournament will be a single elimination. Blind draw for initial match followed by point standing. Entry fees will be split 50/50 between the Lions and the winning teams.

• First place will get 60% of the pot and a trophy
• Second place will get 30% of the pot and a trophy
• Third place will get 10% of the pot and a trophy

Bring a partner or enter by yourself, and we will team you up!

Contact Paul Wentworth at pdubs0015@gmail.com with any questions or to talk about pre-registration.

Don’t miss the fun and educational activities children and their families can enjoy at the upcoming “3rd Annual Stafford Child Safety Day” being organized by West Stafford School. This free (rain or shine) event will be held on Saturday, May 18th from 2:00-4:00pm at Stafford High School located at 145 Orcuttville Road in Stafford Springs, CT.

Stafford Child Safety Day will offer three dozen groups featuring interactive vehicle displays including police cruisers, fire trucks, an ambulance, a high-tech satellite truck, several military vehicles, an environmental display, an aerial drone demonstration, and an ice cream truck. In addition, check out the CT State Police’s “Trooper Two” helicopter (weather permitting)!

Children and their families will also experience many safety and wellness groups featuring information on railroad safety, injury prevention, poison control, healthy relationships, impaired driving awareness, mental health resources, early childhood education, vision screenings (By the Stafford Lions Club), aerial drone awareness, community resources and free Child ID Kits.

In addition, join us to celebrate the retirement of Stafford Police Department’s K-9 Loki. Children are invited to make a card for Loki and thank him for his years of service to our community.

In fair weather, the event will be held on the field in front of the high school’s entrance. In poor weather, the event will be moved indoors to the back entrance utilizing the high school’s cafeteria and adjacent hallways. Parking will be available at Stafford High School, Stafford Elementary School and Stafford Middle School. A free shuttle bus will be provided for those who park at Stafford Elementary School and Stafford Middle School. No parking will be allowed along Orcuttville Road, Levinthal Run, County Road or in the Stafford Public Library’s parking lot.

If you have any questions, please contact Janice Morton at West Stafford School by calling 860-684-3181 (Ext. 50009) or by emailing mortonj@stafford.k12.ct.us.

Are you traveling through Willington and in need of a break? Come see the Lions at the highway coffee stop!!

Right around exit 70 on I-84 on April 26 and 27 between 7:30am and 4:00pm.

It’s almost time for Stafford Lions Club to start benefiting from the Big Y Community Bag Program! Let everyone know to buy a reusable Community Bag starting April 1st at:

87 West Stafford Road Rte 190
Stafford Springs CT

Not sure where to begin? Make sure your staff, volunteers and supporters know that for every $2.50 reusable Community Bag purchased throughout April 2024 at your selected location, Stafford Lions Club will receive $1. This is a great way to broaden awareness and help our cause. More than $420,000 has been donated to almost 1,900 nonprofit organizations since the program launched in January 2019.

The Stafford Lions Club welcomes Carol MacDonald, our newest member.

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The Stafford Lions Club welcomes Donna Landauer, our newest member.

It’s time for the 26th Annual Father–Daughter Valentine’s Day Dance
When: Saturday, February 17th, 2024 6:00-7:30 pm
Where: Stafford High School

$15.00 per couple add $5.00 each additional girl. Fee includes one free digital photograph.

Girls in kindergarten—5th grade are invited to bring their dad, grandfather, uncle, or a date!

Dress in your finest and celebrate Valentine’s Day!

• Dance and raffle
• Flowers for every girl
• Refreshments will be served

On Tuesday, November 21, 2023 The Stafford Lions Club voted to give $500 to enable Christmas toys for 83 families with over 200 children through the Christmas Center Gift Extravaganza provided by Stafford Social Services and the Stafford Community Center.

And today we presented the check.

(Photo by Lion Roger Ingraham)

• Kitty Schooley - Stafford Lions Club President
• Jen Strong - Stafford Social Services
• Grace Parrow - Director of the Stafford Community Center and Stafford Lion Secretary Bob Lucey.

Huge congratulations to our Peace Poster Contest winner!

The Stafford Lions Club is sponsoring a Lions International Peace Poster Contest at the Stafford Library this year!

The contest is open to students who will be 11, 12, or 13 years old as of November 15, 2023. The theme this year is “Dare to Dream”. The deadline to drop off entries at the Stafford Library is 5:00pm on November 7, 2023.

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The Stafford Lions Club will have a booth at this year’s Stafford Trick or Treat on Main. Come feed your sweet tooth in your spookiest costume and enjoy a nice cup of apple cider on us!

The event is Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Rain date is October 1, 2023.

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This exciting event will be held in Haymarket Common, Hyde Park, and Main Street a beautiful location that provides the perfect setting for a day of apple-filled fun. The festival will showcase various vendors and activities, ensuring a delightful experience for visitors of all ages.

The Stafford Lions Club will be at the AppleFest enjoying the festivities and handing out donuts and hot dogs. Come down and see us in downtown Stafford on September 30, 2023 from 11:00am - 4:00pm at Stafford’s first ever Apple Festival!

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The Stafford Lions Club will be selling our 2024 calendars at a booth at the Stafford Farm Day this year. Come down and experience a taste of the origins of Stafford as a farming town. Admission is free. The proceeds from the calendars we sell wil go towards various charities in the area.

Farm Day is September 10, 2023 from 9:30am - 4:30pm at John Julian Heritage Park in Stafford, CT.

EDIT: Due to the impending rain and the fact that we’re selling a paper product, the Lions club will not have a booth at Stafford Farm Day 2023.

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Every year, the Stafford Lions host an unforgettable beautiful event on the Staffordville Lake. Come enjoy the moonlight on the lake (bring your own kayak or canoe). The gates open at 6:00pm with boat launch at 7:30. Enjoy free hot dogs and snacks or enter a raffle to win a kayak prize package when you’re done!

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We hope everyone had a great time at Stafford Summerfest 2023! And a big thank you to our cornhole tournament participants.

We need photos representing all seasons. Photos are due by August 1, 2023. Email your photo to StaffordCtLions@gmail.com.

Photos must be landscape (that is wider than high). Photos must be a minimum of 3000x2250 pixels (usually at least 6.5 MB). We have rec’d photos in the past which while beautiful, could not be used because they were either in portrait mode or the resolution was not sufficient for printing approximately at 10x7 inches.

Thanks to everyone who came to see us at our booth at Child Safety Day!!