Portage MI Lions Club

05/08/2026

May 7, I attended the Portage Lions Club zoom meeting. Guest speaker Jessica Quintana from Miss Michigan Volunteers Organization.
Miss Michigan Volunteer is a scholarship and service-based leadership organization designed to empower young women through:
Community service, Leadership development, Scholarship opportunities, Personal growth, Mentorship, Professional skills
and Civic engagement.
To cultivate confident, compassionate, and service- minded young women who lead with integrity and create meaningful impact within their communities.
The 5 Points in our crown represent SERVE Each delegate develops, cultivates, and grows their
own SERVE Initiative:
• Scholarship.• Education.• Responsibility.• Volunteerism.
• Empowerment.

05/07/2026

Hey there everyone!! Are you interested in saving money while having a good time too?? I’ve got the answer: The Superbook! For just $40.00 you will have coupons to the best restaurants in town. As a member of the Portage Lions Club we are selling these books as part of our annual fundraiser projects. Every book sold, $8.00 of each book sold will come back to our club. And best of all, Each book’s coupons are good until May 31, 2027!! So if you’re interested in good food and saving money; here’s the contact information for our club secretary, Lion Laura Berry

Laura G. Berry
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 269-373-4228

04/26/2026

April 25, 2026, while other members are doing park clean up, six others Lion members are raising funds and awareness about White Cane Days, a powerful symbol of empowerment and independence. White Cane Days signifies that the pedestrian using it is blind or visually impaired; Alerts motorists of the need to exercise special caution and provide the user the right of ways; Symbolizes the independence, confidence and skills of the person who is using it, a true testament to the human spirit.

04/25/2026

On April 25, 2026, the Portage Lions Club made a significant impact during Lions Environmental Week by organizing a park cleanup event at Liberty Park in Portage. Two Lion members and nine students from Portage Central High and Middle School joined forces to kick-start the morning with a collective effort to protect the environment and demonstrate the Lions' commitment to community service.

04/07/2026

04/06/2026

It is truly a profound privilege to be recognized as one of the top 10 Youth Exchange chairs out of 130 countries, and I am deeply grateful to the following individuals and groups whose unwavering support has been instrumental in this achievement: host/sponsor families, host/sponsor clubs, districts/chairs, and our multiple district 11 for their selfless financial and physical contributions to this program. I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Lion Wendy Burns for her inspiring encouragement for me to chair this program. Special thanks to our PCC Terri Ann Pease-Huffman for nominating me for this prestigious YCE category.

03/30/2026

03/17/2026

02/27/2026

Spring 2026 Butterbread Fundraiser

02/21/2026

Feb. 21, after the monthly meeting, members of Portage Lions Club, MD 11-B2, sorted pill bottles to be donated to Matthew 25: Ministries in Cincinnati, OH. The pill bottle program fulfills the dual needs of improving medical care in developing countries and caring for our environment.

01/31/2026

The Youth Camp and Exchange (YCE) program is gearing up this spring, and we wanted to send an update to all clubs as soon as possible. We have several countries who have reached out already looking to send exchange youths to Michigan – we desperately need host families! This is a fun experience for your family, and for the exchange youth – it’s a great opportunity to share our values and show what being a Lion is all about.

Additional information about the program in general is provided on the Lions of Michigan website under Youth Exchange (https://lionsofmi.com/index.php/youth-exchange)

If you have any questions or would like a visit to your club to discuss the program in more detail, please contact Lion Elvie or your YCE District Chair.

Thank you for your time!

Lion Bev Farrell
YCE District 11-C1 chair
Email: [email protected]

Key details regarding the YCE Program for 2026 are as follows:
1. Hosting dates will be from July 16-August 6, 2026.
2. Designated airports are Detroit, Grand Rapids, and/or Chicago O'Hare.
3. We will accept 15-20 international youths, with only one participant per country.
4. The accepted age range is 15-18 years old at the time of camp.
5. Invitations will be extended to Michigan Leos and youths of the same age to join us at camp.
6. We propose July 27-31, 2026, as camp week. Camp cost $350.00
7. WE NEED HOST FAMILIES!
8. For more information, please check out our Lions of Michigan website and click Youth Exchange.
9. For further information, please call me at 818-800-1060 or email [email protected]

YCE District chairs
A1 PDG Roshni Patel [email protected]
B2 1st VDG Alice Kring [email protected]
C1 Lion Bev Farrell [email protected]
C2 PDG Brent Beracy [email protected]
D1 Lion Debra Vantol [email protected]

A2, B1, D2, E1 and E2 vacant

Lion Elvie Marfil
YCE State Chairperson
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 818-800-1060