News

Lions Donate $2500 to 5 Area Schools

On April 28, the Austin Founder Lions Club met at the headquarters of the Austin Independent School District and presented 5 checks of $500 each to the principals of 6 public schools. These were schools that are named after Lions Club members. The schools are: Boone Elementary School, named after Lion George Boone; Cowan Elementary School, named after Lion Dennis E. Cowan; Kocurek Elementary School, named after Lion Willie I. Kocurek; Pickle Elementary School, named after Lion J.J. "Jake" Pickle; Widen Elementary School, named after Lion Carl T. Widen; and Gus Garcia Young Men's Leadership Academy, named after Lion Gustavo L. "Gus" Garcia. The principals of each school told us how they planned to use the money for their school and students. After the presentation of the checks, we heard comments from AISD Superintendent and fellow Lion Stephanie S. Elizalde.

Lions Club Presents Sportsmanship Awards

Two Austin High Schools Honored

AUSTIN, May 2019– Two Austin high school teams and their coaches were honored recently by the Austin Founder Lions Club, the oldest continuously operating Lions Club in the world. Sportsmanship Award trophies were presented to the Anderson High School Baseball Team which is coached by Kenny Matthews and to the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders Soccer Team, coached by Andy Langford. Greg Harkrider, chairman of the club’s Sportsmanship Awards Committee, along with Austin Independent School District Athletic Director Leal Anderson presented the traveling trophies and $500 checks to the coaches.

Alexandria Anderson, a recently retired World Class NIKE American sprinter who specialized in the 100 and 200 meters, was the keynote speaker. She told the audience that “Good sportsmanship is the most important aspect of the game. It is how we show respect for our self, our opponent and the sport.” She pointed out that there always will be a winner and loser in a game, and that is it important to lose with dignity and win with humility.

            "For more than 70 years, the Austin Founder Lions Club annually has recognized local high school boys’ and girls’ athletic teams for their good sportsmanship," said Scott Hendrix, club president. “Club members believe teaching good sportsmanship is an important component of team sports. Our awards are intended to encourage good sportsmanship and recognize those teams and their fans who demonstrate it consistently throughout the year,” he added.

            Only team sports are considered for the awards. For boys, the sports considered are football, basketball, baseball and soccer. For girls, volleyball, basketball, softball and soccer are considered. One boys and one girls team from among the four sports is honored, and recipients are selected only from Austin Independent School District schools.

“The club asks various officials (referees, umpires, etc.) to vote on which teams demonstrate the best sportsmanship based on the behavior of players, coaches and fans,” Harkrider explained. “Each official picks the top three teams in the sport that he/she officiates during the year. A point/percentage system is used to compare the teams fairly,” he added.

“These school teams have coaches who teach good sportsmanship and hold players and fans accountable to maintain these standards,” Harkrider said. “We are pleased to recognize the coaches, players and fans of these teams, and appreciate the model they set for others.”

Austin Founder Lions Club President Scott Hendrix, left, posed with some members of the Anderson High School Baseball Team, which won the club’s Good Sportsmanship Award in a boys’ sport. Pictured are Brett Allen, Trevor Marek and Carter Raney, who holds the traveling trophy, and Coach Kenny Matthews.

 

 

AFLC President Scott Hendrix, left, congratulated Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders’ Meg Brown, center, athletic coordinator; and Andy Langford, coach of the soccer team, which won the club’s Good Sportsmanship Award in girls’ sports.

Austin Founder Lions Have Successful Sporting Clay Shoot-Out

Austin Founder Lions Club’s eighth annual Sporting Clay Shoot-Out was June 8, 2018, at Capital City Clays. A total of 21 teams competed in two fields.  Prizes were awarded for First, Second and Dead Last in both the Blue and Red fields.  Winning teams were sponsored by Austin Sonic Drive-In and DBR Engineering. Second place winners were Labor Finders and The University of Texas Cowboys. Dead Last went to TAB Technologies.

The NFL Alumni – Austin Chapter again supported the event with some 22 former players who hosted each shooting station, signed autographs and posed for pictures. Thanks, guys!

               Continued support by both past and new Team, Event and Station sponsors and generous participants – plus several raffles – helped make this event financially successful. Thanks to all the sponsors listed below. 

               The primary beneficiary for the event was again the Center for Child Protection. (https://centerforchildprotection.org/)

               Austin Founder Lion Cameron Labunski was chair of the event. Jim Overton and Tommy Cowan were co-chairs. Other committee members included Austin Founder Lions Mark Hastings, Brittany Hendrickson, Sam Ruiz, Ann Ward and Robert Watson; NFLA members Raul Allegre, Stevie Lee, Chris McNelley and Dan Neil; and Center for Child Protection’s Anne West.

               “We are pleased with the number of community teams and sponsors who are returning year after year.  Great Smokey Mo’s BBQ, friendly competition and the opportunity to meet former National Football League players make this a fun event, and everyone has a great time,” Labunski said.

Co-Chairman Jim Overton, left, emceed the Awards Luncheon.  Event Chairman Cameron Labunski, second from left, Co-Chairman Tommy Cowan, holding plaque, and NFL Alumni – Austin Chapter President Raul Allegre, right, presented awards during the luncheon.

Austin Founder Lions Jim Overton, left, and Cameron Labunski and NFL Alumni – Austin Chapter President Raul Allegre, right, presented the $250 Russell Korman’s Fine Jewelry, Diamonds & Watches gift certificate to raffle winner Jerry Conway, holding gift bag. Conway’s Austin Sonic  Drive-In Team was one of the First Place winners.

Austin Founder Lions Club Past President Michael Cowan, right, was the lucky winner of the raffle for a case of Tito’s Handmade Vodka.  Lions Jim Overton, left, and Cameron Labunski and NFL Alumni – Austin Chapter President Raul Allegre congratulate Cowan on his win.

The Austin Sonic Drive-In Team won top honors on the Blue Field at the 2018 Sporting Clay Shoot-Out.

Newcomers DBR Engineering won first place on the Red Field at the 2018 Sporting Clay event.

The Labor Finders Team took second place in the Blue Field.

The University of Texas Cowboys Team won second place in the Red Field.

The TAB Technologies Team came in Dead Last in the tournament.

              Even more photos...

The Crockett High School Volleyball Team received the 2018 Girls’ Team Sportsmanship Award presented by the Austin Founder Lions Club. Lion Greg Harkrider, back left, and Austin Independent School District Athletic Director Leal Anderson, back far right, presented the trophy to team representatives Danielle Crawley, team captain, and Hope Espinosa, team captain, both holding the trophy and check. The two juniors are joined by Principal Kori Crawford, front left; John Altes, JV assistant coach, back center; and Lorie Henry, Crockett Head Coach, back right.

The McCallum High School Football Team received the 2018 Boys’ Team Sportsmanship Award presented by the Austin Founder Lions Club. Lion Greg Harkrider, left, and Austin Independent School District Athletic Director Leal Anderson, far right, presented the trophy to team representatives J.B. Faught, holding the trophy, and Maxwell Perez and Tyrell Washington, holding the check. Principal Mike Garrison, back left, helped congratulate the team, which is coached by Tom Gammerdinger, back right.

Two Austin high school teams and their coaches were honored today (May 10, 2018) by the Austin Founder Lions Club, the oldest continuously operating Lions Club in the world. Sportsmanship Award trophies were presented to the McCallum High School Football Team which is coached by Tom Gammerdinger and to the Crockett High School Volleyball Team coached by Lorie Henry. Greg Harkrider, chairman of the club’s Sportsmanship Awards Committee, along with Austin Independent School District Athletic Director Leal Anderson presented the trophies and $500 checks to the coaches and team representatives. Roger Wallace, KXAN News sports anchor, was the keynote speaker.

"For more than 30 years, the Austin Founder Lions Club annually has recognized local high school boys’ and girls’ athletic teams for their good sportsmanship," said Leonor Marques, club president. “Club members believe teaching good sportsmanship is an important component of team sports. Our awards are intended to encourage good sportsmanship and recognize those teams and their fans who demonstrate it consistently throughout the year,” she added.

Only team sports are considered for the awards. For boys, the sports considered are football, basketball, baseball and soccer. For girls, volleyball, basketball, softball and soccer are considered. One boys and one girls team from among the four sports is honored, and recipients are selected only from Austin Independent School District schools.

“The club asks various officials (referees, umpires, etc.) to vote on which teams demonstrate the best sportsmanship based on the behavior of players, coaches and fans,” Harkrider explained. “Each official picks the top three teams in the sport that he/she officiates during the year. A point/percentage system is used to compare the teams fairly,” he added.

“These school teams have coaches who teach good sportsmanship and hold players and fans accountable to maintain these standards,” Harkrider said. “We are pleased to recognize the coaches, players and fans of these teams, and appreciate the model they set for others.”

5-F Mechanical Winning Team


Sonic Drive-In Winning Team

On June 9, 2017 at Capital City Trap & Skeet, the Austin Founder Lions Club hosted the club’s seventh annual Sporting Clay Shoot-Out . A total of 25 teams competed in two fields. Prizes were awarded for First, Second and Dead Last in both the Blue and Red fields. Winning teams were sponsored by Austin Sonic Drive-In and 5F Mechanical Group.

In addition to the 25 participating Teams, Event and Station Sponsors and additional event raffles contributed to the financial success. “We increased our net revenue thanks to the continued support by both past and new sponsors and generous participants,” said Jim Overton, AFLC President and Event Chairman. “As a result of our event supporters, we are pleased to donate $10,000 to our primary beneficiary of the event, the Center for Child Protection” he added.

“We held this event in conjunction with the NFL Alumni – Austin Chapter and wish to recognize the involvement of some 22 NFL Alumni who hosted each of the 20 shooting stations as well as the more than 100 volunteers – many from the Austin Founder Lions Club and Center for Child Protection – who worked in various capacities from early morning until mid-afternoon to support the event. We could not have done it without their support. This event continues to grow each year, and we are pleased with the number of community teams and sponsors who are returning year after year. Great Smokey Mo’s BBQ, friendly competition and the opportunity to meet former National Football League players make this a fun event, and everyone has a great time,” Overton said.

Austin Founder Lion Cameron Labunski co-chaired the event with Lion Tommy Cowan. Other committee members included Austin Founder Lions Gaylord Armstrong, Mark Hastings, Leonor Marques, Sam Ruiz, Ann Ward and Robert Watson, NFLA members Chris McNelley, John Haines and Dan Neil and Center for Child Protection’s Anne West.

Jim Overton, president of Austin Founder Lions Club and chairman of the club’s Sporting Clay Shoot-Out Committee, presented a $10,000 check to Tama Williamson, chair of the Center for Child Protection Board. For more than 25 years, the center has been the first stop for children entering the justice system because of suspected sexual abuse or for serious physical abuse as well as for children who have witnessed a violent crime. Children and their protective family or caregiver go to the child-friendly, specially equipped facility in Travis County for evidence gathering, forensic medical exams, counseling and intervention. Only law enforcement and Child Protective Services may make referrals, and services are provided at no charge.

Jerry Conway, left, won the Flurry Drawing for a wildlife print by Dripping Springs artist Ragan Gennusa. The prize was awarded by John Haynes, back left, Tommy Cowan and Jim Overton	Volunteers make it happen.
Smokey Mo's Team - 2nd Place	Austin Lanehart Electric - 2nd Place

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors  Allen Financials Services IBC Bank   KB Homes   SpawGlass Contractor, Inc.

Lunch Sponsor   Smokey Mo's Bar-B-Q Shell Sponsor Kemen Ammunition 5F Mechanical Group, Inc.

Breakfast Sponsor Dunkin' Donuts Hat Creek Burger Company Sign Sponsor Austin Architectural Graphics

Team Sponsors

Station Sponsors

Allen Financial Services Austin Lanehart Electric Austin Sonic Drive-In Center for Child Protection Tommy Cowan, F.A.I.A. Deer Creek Ranch Ellis & Salazar 5F Mechanical Group, Inc. Flintco, LLC Haddon+Cowan Architects IBC Bank J.T. Vaughn Construction, LLC (2 teams) KB Home Labor Finders Lone Star Materials Siemens Industry, Inc. Smokey Mo’s BBQ SpawGlass Structures TAB Technologies TDIndustries Tom Green & Company Engineers Wiss,Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.

Bill Anderson, State Farm Agent(4 stations) Architecture Plus Austin Architectural Graphics, Inc. Austin Founder Lions Club - President Jim Overton Austin Screen Printing Austin Sonic Drive-In (2 stations) Blackmon Mooring Bridgepoint Consulting, LLC (2 stations) Ken Crone, State Farm Agent Central Road and Utility Deer Creek Ranch In-N-Out Burger® James E. Roberson & Co., P.C. J.T. Vaughn Construction, LLC NFL Alumni Association – Austin Chapter PDG J.P. Kirksey - District 2S3 and AFLC Board Member Scott Arnold - AFLC Board Member TAB Technologies Texas Lions Camp (provided by Lillie Gilligan, AFLC)

On May 11, Austin Founder Lions Club presented Sportsmanship Award trophies to the Akins High School boys’ Baseball Team which is coached by Gene Salazar and to the Anderson High School girls’ basketball team coached by Katrina Hall. Greg Harkrider, chairman of the club’s Sportsmanship Awards Committee presented the trophies and checks to the coaches and team representatives. Gaylord Armstrong, a club member and former national champion baseball player, was the keynote speaker, and he shared his insights about the importance of good sportsmanship.

"For more than 70 years, the Austin Founders Lions Club annually has recognized local high school boys’ and girls’ athletic teams for their good sportsmanship," said Jim Overton, club president. “Club members believe teaching good sportsmanship is an important component of team sports. Our awards are intended to encourage good sportsmanship and recognize those teams and their fans who demonstrate it consistently throughout the year,” he added.

Only team sports are considered for the awards. For boys, the sports considered are football, basketball, baseball and soccer. For girls, volleyball, basketball, softball and soccer are considered. One boys and one girls team from among the four sports is honored, and recipients are selected only from Austin Independent School District schools.

“The club asks various officials (referees, umpires, etc.) to vote on which teams demonstrate the best sportsmanship based on the behavior of players, coaches and fans,” Harkrider explained. “Each official picks the top three teams in the sport that he/she officiates during the year. A point/percentage system is used to compare the teams fairly,” he added.

“The Akins baseball team was on every single ballot cast by the baseball umpires,” Harkrider said. He added that “this marks the fourth year that Coach Hall’s basketball teams have been recognized with the club’s sportsmanship award.

“These school teams have coaches who teach good sportsmanship and hold players and fans accountable to maintain these standards,” Overton said. “We are pleased to recognize the coaches, players and fans of these teams, and appreciate the model they set for others.”

The Austin Downtown Lions Club enjoyed a very successful Work Day at the Texas Lions Camp on Saturday, April 1, 2017. Our group of 37 Lions helped trim bushes, prune branches, and do general clean-up work around the camp's swimming pool. The appearance of the area was noticeably improved and made more appealing for the youth scheduled to arrive for their summer camp in June, July, and August. Everyone who made the trip to Kerrville deserves a hearty pat on the back for a job well done. Special thanks goes to Craig Estes for providing supervision on site, and to Patti Robinson and her Leos for both their excellent work and for presenting a $500.00 check to the TLC. Thanks to the following individuals for their 'We Serve' attitude: Rudy Munguía, Craig Estes, Glenda Summers, Robert Watson, Sam Ruiz, Tommy Cowan, Bonnie Glasgow, Patti Robinson Lucas Parker, Irene and Kurt Krill, Greg & Veryon Thompson, Beverly Weeks, George Bocanegra, Bill Martin, Jim Overton, JP Kirksey. Also thanks to the following UT Lions, TSBVI staff and volunteers, and Leos: Diana Torres, Sandra Baldwin, Ellen Grimmett, Kodie Nagy-Montgomery, Will Williams, Earl Washington, Mike Curtis, Elyse Guilstorf, Erica Parks, Jay Washington, Andrew Walker, Kimberly Berry, Nancy Cespedes, Idalia Garcia, Ashley Pryor, Mya Gipson. Apologies for omitting anyone's name who attended.

At the December 1, 2016 weekly luncheon of the Austin Founder Lions Club, the club recognized six local schools which are named after members of the club. Representatives of each of the schools were in attendance and they were presented with a check for $500 for each school. They also received a document with details about the Lions members that the schools are named after intended for posting at the school so that every student there can have a better appreciation of how the school got its name.

Austin Founder Lions Club President Jim Overton, back, is pictured with representatives of Austin Independent School District facilities named in honor of AFDC Lions. Those who received the $500 award per school were, left to right, Gus Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy Principal Sterlin McGruder; Boone Elementary Principal Alan Stevens; Widen Elementary Principal Kim Royal; Cowan Elementary Assistant Principal Rebecca Phillips and student Noah Villareal; Pickle Elementary Principal Lauro Davalos; and Kocurek Elementary School Counselor Angela Vera.

Patti Robinson delivers roses
Thanks for your support by ordering roses

On Thursday October 20 Austin Founder Lions Club members hand-delivered hundreds of dozens of beautiful long-stemmed red roses packaged in attractive florist boxes to happy individuals in Austin and the immediate area. Over 20 Lions and friends volunteered to make this fundraiser a great success. Many thanks to all of you who bought roses and to all of the volunteers.

Look for us again around this time next year and buy more roses and tell you friends how they can make someone's day and help charitable causes at the same time.

In the August 4th, 2016 edition of the Austin American-Statesman was an article written by Michael Barnes, staff writer for the Statesman, which describes the 100 year history of the club and its service to the Austin community.