You can

always count
on the Lions

ST. JOSEPH LIONS CLUB

Lakeshore, St. Joseph and

St. Joseph Twp. clubs out in force

ewsie veterans insist brisk weather

and brisk sales go together like pork
and beans.
Its not a myth service club members tell themselves in order to feel better about
standing in the snow, wind and cold to peddle
the special edition of The Herald-Palladium,
said St. Joseph Township Lions Club President
Ray Brzezenski.
We have the objective proof, said Brzezinski,
who has participated in some 20 Newsie sales.
The psychology is clear.
If people see you suffering, theyll feel sorry
for you, and theyre more generous, he said.
Lions clubs have braved Twin Cities weather
for 61 years to support the Good Fellow Fund.
In Newsie terms, the St. Joseph, St. Joseph Township and Lakeshore Lions are still the new kids
on the street corners. The Lions joined 21 years
after the first Newsie sale.
Regardless of weather, the Newsie still moves
because people know the money goes to a good
cause, the Good Fellow Fund. Its an 85-yearold program to put a little good cheer in households struggling in the season of joy.
The cold, dark days of winter are darker and
colder when rent and heating bills pile up and
good jobs are hard to come by.
The annual fund drive backs Meijer gift cards
for families and individuals identified by the
Michigan Department of Human Services.
The drive has roots dating to 1920, and it has
helped untold thousands. Recipients have reported the Good Fellow Fund has saved their
Christmases. The stockings and dinner table
would have been empty without the fund.
The money is spent in Berrien County, with
The Herald-Palladium covering all overhead.
Beyond Newsie season, the Lions work toward
a number of causes. The Lions support hospitals, clinics and research of diseases related to
blindness. They support Sightmobiles and the
Leader Dog program. They collect used eyeglasses for those who cant afford new ones.
Lions sponsor scholarships and contribute to
parks, recreation and public safety programs. Lions Park Beach in St. Joseph gets its name because of Lions support.
The Good Fellow Fund began when Stanley
R. Banyon, editor and publisher of HP ancestor
The News-Palladium, launched the Empty
Stocking Club to help those struggling in the
years after World War I.
The funds name was changed a few years later
to the Good Fellow Fund.
In 1930, Banyon enlisted the Exchange Club to
help out. The Lions signed on in the 1950s.
The fund emerged when public safety nets
didnt exist and private charity was the only thing
between survival and ruin. Even when the safety
net was at its strongest, families were still falling
through the weave. And the Good Fellow Fund
has been there to help out.

Photos by Stephen L. Brundage / HP correspondent

Members of the St. Joseph Lions Club include, from left, front row John Breinling, Jackie Bralick, Darrin Drollinger, Jack
Lents, Phil Medo and Morry McMurray; back row Bob Fischer, Gordon Schrieber, Vern Breucker and Larry Kramp.

The St. Joseph Lions Club also

includes, from left, front row
Larry Morrow, Arden Pridgeon,
Jim Christen, Hugh Black,
Jimmy Butt and Dave Giandiletti; back row Tom Hanley,
Bill Kaluske, Nick Christie and
Larry Wagner.

The St. Joseph Lions

Club also includes,
from left, front row
George Jaeger,
Steve Nordberg, Hank
Richmond, Mike
Dumke, Jerry Falwell
and Harold Kasishke;
back row Jim Bembenek, Pat Mangold,
Ron Griesinger and
Tom Gazella.

LAKESHORE LIONS CLUB

Contributed photos

LEFT: Members of the Lakeshore Lions include, from left, front row Doc Rademacher, Bonnie Korican and Tony
Korican; back row Dale Morse, Brad Carroll and Cy Steiner.
RIGHT: The Lakeshore Lions Club also includes, from left, front row Nancy Brzezinski, Nancy Cooley and Terry Spindler; back row Ray Brzezinski, Bob Cooley and Peter Petros.

ST. JOSEPH TOWNSHIP LIONS CLUB

Don Campbell / HP staff

LEFT: Member of the St. Joseph Township Lions Club include, from left, front row John Conlin, Ron Ravitch, Frank Hausen, Kathy Walden and John Chaddock; back row Nancy Johnson, Mark
Laukus, John Johnson, Mike Metzger, John Patera and Dave Grumbine.
RIGHT: The St. Joseph Township Lions Club also includes, from left, front row Chuck Salvano, Duane Schneider, Gene Robinson, Ruben Ramirez and Jim Harmon; back row Jack Carpenter,
John Linabury, Ron Waldvogel, Vicky Trupiano, Pauline Yost, Keith Stevens and Denise Metzger.