From the Eagle Tribune;
Atkinson Lions bring cheer to lonely residents
By John Basilesco
jbasilesco@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — In groups of two and three, members of the Atkinson Lions Club will deliver holiday baskets and pay a visit to lonely residents, many of whom have no families of their own.
Through a community service program started three years ago, club members will mobilize Dec. 13 to deliver baskets and spend time chatting with each recipient.
"The baskets aren't just about giving them some food," club President Al Goldstein said. "For some of these people, we're the only ones who visit them on the holidays. They have no family. In thank-you notes sent to the club, it's amazing how they focus more on the fact that we stopped what we were doing to talk to them for half an hour than the fact that we gave them food."
The idea came from club member George Winchell, who coordinates the annual event with Goldstein and other members.
"Going out and delivering the baskets — and being asked to come in and sit and chat — is one of the best things about it," Winchell said. "You can't describe the look on their faces. It's very moving, very touching."
The beneficiaries are people in need of an emotional boost, Winchell said. They include individuals who have lost a spouse and are spending their holiday alone for the first time. Others include elderly people living alone.
One of the recipients last year was a young woman, recently divorced, facing her first Christmas alone with her children, Winchell said.
"We do it to show them that someone's thinking about them around the holiday season," Winchell said.
Two or three Lions go to each person's house to deliver the baskets. A lot of the people who receive the baskets are by themselves and just want someone to talk to them, he said.
They send touching thank-you notes to the club, which Goldstein reads at club meetings.
"You can hear a pin drop when he's reading them," Winchell said.
The baskets are filled with an assortment of food, including fruit, crackers and a canned ham.
Atkinson Town Hall
The Norman Rockwellian picture of Atkinson
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13 comments:
I spend most holidays alone and there are several people in town who know it. No one has ever done anything like this for me in all the years I have lived here. In fact, my neighbor belongs to the Lions and knows I am alone but he thinks it's funny.
This is a nice idea. While there is no doubt some very good intentions and nice gestures made by certain members of the Lions, the problem I have is it is a known fact Consentino is a Lion and I can't help but wonder if he is orchestrating things for his political benefit. I have a hard time believing otherwise. Did anyone see the names on the PD donation account ledger, see Atkinson Taxpayers Association Website, that are also members of the Lions?
I did notice the chief's name did not appear in this article. Interesting given how public he was about his membership as a Lion and was front and center when Kathie Dayotis was named Lions Club Atkinson Citizen of the Year.
So this is one of two things: Either a very nice group of residents that do nice things for others, or it is a tainted political influence peddling act by the chief, once again, taking advantage of vulnerable citizens in the worst way, getting them obligated to him for votes. Which is it?
To anon Dec 1, 8:45 AM, have you made your your annual donation to the PD fund? Are you a supporter of the chief? If you haven't paid your dues to the chief, that may explain your exclusion. It is widely known his alleged civic mindedness excludes any seniors that question his fuzzy money handling.
To 10:43 AM
I am not a senior, do you have to be a senior to qualify for everything in this town?
Personally, I'm ashamed to tell people that my family never thinks to invite me on holidays, though enough people in town do know the situation. It's also dangerous for people who live alone to tell others they are alone.
These stories are sad to hear and frustrating to hear. Unfortunately, the opportunity for the town to provide any type of town social/networking/services opportunities has been hijacked by our police chief who uses Elderly Affairs to give favors to get obligations so he can influence votes. This keeps him in power.
If our town is to have more inclusive programs, people need to get involved to make political change and throw the bums out so that the programs are changed.
If you are feeling left out, your voice needs to be heard. Otherwise, how will people know how many are actually left out? This means volunteering for town organizations, committees and getting involved if you want to see things changed. If you wait for others to do something about it, you may have a long wait. Sad to say but that is my opinion.
If you would like help in getting rid of the problem politicians in the town of Atkinson, please write to webmaster@atkinsontaxpayers.org and we will get in touch with you.
To 2:56 PM
I'm already involved in volunteering for the town and am not one of the cronies = left out.
For goodness sakes..the organization is doing something to help people in the town who are having a bad time of things, it disgusts me when i read the things I am reading, just because you have a vendetta against the chief, and he happens to be a lions club member does not mean that this club has alterior motives. This is the kind of thing the Lions Club does. Also, I am sorry some of you felt left out, I am certain there are many that are alone on the holidays that did not receive a basket, but cant we be happy for those that did. I am sure if you were a receiver of a basket you would not turn it down because some other lonely person didnt receive one. There may be another organization that does something for you and not others. Lets try and be thankful and thoughtful this holiday season instead of cynical and selfish.
To 11:44 AM
cynical and selfish for expecting everyone to be treated kindly and fairly ? hardly.
the point is, people are not all given the same benefits in Atkinson, not even by the lions.
why is it whenever anyone criticizes the chief, they must have a vendetta?
Why cant they just be disgusted with his basic dishonesty, his abuse of authority, and his use of the police dept. as his own private investigation service into the lives of those who criticize him?
Why do you call it a vendetta?
That's the response of a bully. When you criticize a bully, they try to make it your fault.
When you don't like message, attack the messenger. I think we've seen this tactic a few hundred times before. When I hear the vendetta tactic I laugh because it is so overused.
Looks like someone doesn't like hearing the title of this article should be:
Atkinson Lions bring cheer to lonely, selected residents that support Consentino
Who decides who gets picked? What is the process to qualify? It is sad to hear some get picked and others do not. It must make those left out feel even worse. Nice job Phil. We need to identify the people in this town that are not getting services but qualify for and need them. We also need to identify those that DO NOT qualify for services and should not get them. We know there are residents who have the means to make their own travel arrangements but gladly give Phil a vote for a free ride because that's how the deal works. Means testing should be implemented to make sure the right people are getting assistance and not cronies of Phil.
It is very nice that the Lions help some people but I wonder how they determine who gets the help? Maybe one of them can answer the question and get the word out to those who are not being helped but could use it.
Thank you Lions Club for your thoughtfulness to those who can use it!
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