The Coloma Lions have been very active in the past year.  In December, the Lions distributed bags of candy and fruit for the Christmas Party for the children of Coloma. They packed and distributed Christmas Food Baskets to the needy and Christmas Fruit Baskets to the elderly.  
 

In February they held a Fisheree on Pleasant Lake that was very well attended.  The weather was perfect, the fish were biting, and the annual Radar Run attracts a good crowd every year.  The new favorite that was added a few years ago is an Ice Volleyball Competition.

The club sponsored an Easter Egg Hunt in April at the Coloma Community Park that was attended by hundreds of eager children.  The children searched for packet of candy wrapped in aluminum foil.  Special packets included a plastic egg with a special number in it that could be traded for a stuffed animal or a huge chocolate bunny.  The weather was much better this year, and the children had no trouble filling their buckets.

Lion Fern King was recognized for her many years of outstanding service to the Coloma Lions and to her community.  Her family was present to see her receive the Melvin Jones Fellowship.

During the spring, summer, and fall the Coloma Lions held periodic road cleanups along their assigned section of Hwy. 21.  An average of 10 members show up for each cleanup and fill many garbage bags with the refuse thrown out of passing cars.

Coloma Lions Chicken Chew

This annual event held on the third weekend in June is the main fund raiser for the year.  The Sunday chicken dinner serves over 1,400 dinners each year.  In addition, the brat stand, cake walk, Chicken Drop, Kids Tractor Pull, raffles, baseball tournaments, sand volleyball, horseshoe competition, car show, and a variety of bands provides something for everyone to do.   The proceeds from this event help fund the annual donations that the club makes to their community, their state, and their international organization.

People in the community frequently asked members what the Lions do with all of the money they raise.  A 25 foot by 6 foot banner now hangs in the park during each Chicken Chew listing all the ways that the “Coloma Lions Support Our Community.”  People are amazed when they see what the Lions have done over the years for the community.  Their latest project was putting up new fencing around the tennis courts at the local park to be used for a summer tennis program for kids and a tennis club for adults of all ages.  Our first ever Tennis Tournament was held during the Chicken Chew this year.

New officers were installed in July at the annual steak fry.  A Community Appreciation Picnic was held in August to thank all of the individuals and business that support all of the Lion’s activities.  This year, we had Stephanie Schmidt from Crandon, WI who sang for the 150+ people who showed up for our picnic.  Her powerful voice entertained the crowd during the social hour before dinner.  Everyone received free brats, sweet corn, beverages, and their choice of the many pot luck dishes.