09/01/2006: "SJI Lions Help Student Athletic Participation"

The SJI Lions Club have stepped up to the plate once again to help the community. San Juan School District Athletic Director, Marc Vermeir, a recent Guest speaker at Lions luncheon on August 22, told the Lions that the new athletic fee for student participation has now risen to $150.00 per student, per sport.

Vermeir's presentation to the Lions was meant to be informative, and not a request for funds, however, at a recent Lion's Board meeting, a unanimous vote of the Board approved $600.00 to assist financially needy students to be able to participate in an extra curricular activity. Four other individual Lions matched the $600 for a total of $1200 or 8 students to be sponsored.
Momentum then gained for this idea.....
Dr Mark Fishaut heard about the Lions support and agreed to match dollar for dollar, the total of the Lions contribution, with his own donation to help financially needy students making the total committed to date of $2400 or 18 students to be assisted.

Although this one particular effort was directed toward sports, the Lions also wish to encourage extra curricular student activities in music, the arts and other extra school student curricular activities. Everyone agrees it is far better to see the youth engaged some extra curricular activity and participation.

Determination of whom receives the funds will be determined in this case by the Athletic Director and Principal(s) with emphasis on financial needs, grades and school attendance.
San Juan Lions encourage other island service clubs to consider sponsoring students in some way. San Juan Lions Club will also be chartering a Leo Club for the youth in the next few months to encourage service to the community.

For more information please contact Jim Carroll - President, San Juan Lions Club, at sanjuanlion@aol.com