October 2025 • Vol. 400, No. 4 DIGITAL CANYON STATE LION
Official Publication of the Lions of Arizona, Multiple District 21 Celebrating over 100 years of Lions service to the people of Arizona www.lionsarizona.org
What’s in this October issue:
Global MH Service Week & MID-YEAR LEADERSHIP FORUM
Registration, Class Sign-up, Program Book & Raffle! Much Much MORE!
Total Audience:3349 OPENNED: 664 ( Up from 498 in September) Clicks: 54 (# of clicks on Print/Info/Video Buttons – Up from 42 in September)
Let’s IMPROVE Engagement
Use the hotlinks to directly “jump” to a subject of interest and USE the “Print Buttons” or “Read More” or “Video”
for easy to print/read/watch additional information! It is our way to help reduce the scrolling, while still providing Information!
It’s October, one month away from the MidYear Forum and Leadership Conference. You REALLY should plan on participating in the learning opportunities. At least 36 different sessions will be held over the two-day event, including a lunch and keynote presentation by Int’l. Director Nadine Bushell.
Many MD21 Lions attended the USA-Canada Forum in Atlantic City a few weeks ago. Our November Forum is a local version that promises to be exciting, educational and informative.Click above to register for the event.
Recently, the global leadership team completed the MD21 vice district governor training – a 26-hour series of sessions developed by Lions International to prepare them to become district governors. Congratulations to our current VDGs for participating both in-person and online.
Have you considered becoming a club officer? To learn more about leadership in your club, consider participating in the Emerging Lions Leadership Institute (ELLI) planned for January 23-25 of next year. Only two requirements: You cannot have been a club president AND you have a desire to learn more.
ELLI is three days of intense sharing about the world of Lions – a Friday and Saturday all-day Saturday, plus Sunday morning. Tuition includes refreshments and lunches, all materials, and you’ll commute daily to your most convenient location: Phoenix/Tempe (east valley), Phoenix/Glendale (west valley), or Tucson. For more details, read the ELLI article in this edition of Canyon State Lion or check out the website link.
Final note: The Arizona Lions Youth Exchange is coordinating efforts to send young Lions and LEOs to Europe for three- or four-week Lions Camps. Imagine a graduation scholarship to a Lions Camp in Italy, Estonia, Germany, France or Great Britain to connect with fellow youth and young adults on an international scale. Contact Tony Luick at tonyhl@comcast.net for more details, and tell him Lion Ken sent you.
Let’s Make our Net.Work!
Your Servant Leader CC Ken Leja
Governor’s Report – District 21-N
🌟 Fellow Lions,
Service doesn’t always have to feel like work. It can be filled with joy, laughter, and memories that keep us coming back for more. When we serve together, let’s not only focus on the task but also on the moments that bring us closer as friends and family.
Here are a few fun ways to enjoy service together:
🎶 Add music to your projects—sing along while you serve!
📸 Take silly group photos and capture the smiles you create.
🦁 Celebrate small wins with high-fives, hugs, or even a cheer.
🍲 Share food or snacks after a project—it turns service into a fellowship.
🎲 Make it playful: turn challenges into games or team contests.
Remember, the joy we bring to others starts with the joy we carry in ourselves. Let’s keep the spirit light, the laughter loud, and the service meaningful. Together, we can change lives and have a blast doing it!
Yours in Lionistic Service, Maryjane “MJ” Barjose
21-N District Governor
mjane1670@yahoo.com
Governor’s Report – District 21-S
What Is the 21-S District Leadership Working On Today?
At our Kickoff you told us what you wanted: better communication, more chances to serve together, and real membership growth in your club. That’s exactly what we’re working on! While we’ve gone from 46 clubs a year ago to 41 today, we see this as an opportunity to grow stronger, start fresh, and keep Lions serving in every corner of Southern Arizona.
Grow Your Club – GMT Sandi Sterker and 1VDG Ed Lopez are excited to visit clubs with grants and ready-to-go growth tools. Want to add members? We’ll help you launch Hungry Lions or even start a branch to involve people who can’t meet on your schedule. Just let us know—we’re here to help! Contact GMT Sandi at sterkersandi@gmail.com or 1VDG Ed at lopezedmund2020@gmail.com.
Service – With PIP/GST Joe Preston and Lion Chris Linder, we’re celebrating and sharing the amazing service clubs are already doing. District-wide Weeks of Service are coming soon—a chance for us to shine together and show our communities the joy of Lions service! Keep an eye on the Canyon State Lion, the Arizona Lions Forum, or check in with your Zone Chair for details.
With recent monsoon rains, areas of 21-S have experienced torrential rains and significant flooding. To ensure appropriate community support to areas like Miami & Global, we are creating a District 21-S Immediate Emergency Response Plan. Formalizing a structure, boundary and guidance to focus our effort to appropriately augment existing emergency departments and meet ongoing community needs.
Leadership – GLT Su-Lin Trepanitis has trained our Zone Chairs and DG team, and the upcoming Mid-Winter Leadership Forum will be packed with practical workshops on social media, marketing, recruiting, and projects. Bring your future leaders and let’s build skills together! Clubs can even support members with scholarships for fees and carpools so no one misses out. Contact GLT Su-Lin at azlionrn@gmail.com.
Adding New Clubs – PCC/GET Jim McCown and ZC Judy Ahlberg are busy opening new doors in Tempe, Dreamland Villa, Sunland Village, and Sunland Village East, and exploring Gilbert and Robson Ranch in Casa Grande. Benson is back on the map thanks to PDG Keith Alexander and 1VDG Ed Lopez. If you know people ready to become Lions in these areas, contact GET Jim at pccjimmccown@gmail.com.
The bottom line? We’re growing, we’re serving, and we’re learning together. However big or small your need, reach out—we’re here to help you succeed and have fun doing it!
Thank you for being a Lion!
Richard Stevenson
21-S District Governor
ki6baq@me.com
BIG FUN from the
Birthplace of
Melvin Jones
CALENDAR & DIRECTORY – Now LIVE!
Our new Lions Google Calendar & Directory available on lionsarizona.org . Want your Club activity listed? Simply send it to the editor! CLUBS – Make your Project Plans nowwith complete full year insight on key dates!
CALLING ALL CLUBS!!! The South Tucson Lions Club is coordinating the raffle baskets for the Mid Year Leadership Conference and are seeking a raffle basket from each club! Let’s make then an impressive Raffle collection!
SUPPORT these Clubs with ATTENDANCE or DONATIONS
as they serve their Communities and WE support each other!
Events are listed on the Lion Calendar on https://lionsarizona.org/
Safford P.O.W.W.O.W – CANCELLED for October 4
The new season will begin on Saturday November 1, 2025
Chino Valley Fall Harvest
October 3rd & 4th
Mental Health & Well-Being Week of Service ALL CLUBS!
October 4 – 12, 2025
This is a WORLD-WIDE Service Opportunity!
Additionally, looking for an idea or want to participate? Contact MD21 GST Debbie Bushey for the Mental Health & Well Being Care Kits for the Soul!!
In this issue, under GAT – Service we have additional ideas, information and handouts available for Clubs to use!
Mental Health & Wellness Event
October 4th
Phx Saguaro Cyber Lions & The 2000 Project by EQZ Fundraiser
By Tickets Now – Drawing December 24th
Phx Rainbow Lions MH Walk Lions Join with the ADA
NAMI Walk – October 11 Step Out Walk – October 11
Women 4 Women Sun City Host Lions
October 18th
We are trying to keep things out of the landfill. Repairing things is good for the environment! Do you have a lamp that needs repair? A shirt that needs a button? Furniture repaired? Knives or lawn tools sharpened?
Just show up and bring your items. We’ll have snacks for you while you wait! FREE Do you like to fix things or tinker? Do you have a specific skill? Please come and bring your tools! We have plenty of room. If you volunteer, you will be fed lunch!
What is Repair Café?
Repair Café is international, but community driven. We are all volunteers!
Donations are accepted and 100% goes back into Chandler Repair Café. Chandler Repair Café is held 4 times a year, the third Saturday of Jan, April, July & Oct. at 301 N Hartford Rd, 9am – noon.
More information available at repaircafe.organd Facebook: Repair Café – Chandler, AZ. More Questions? Please call or text, Lion Cathy at (480) 236-0519
Mexico Vision Mission Ghouls & Giggles Comedy October 17th & 18th Fundraiser – Florence – Oct 19th
EAC/Safford Mental Health Awareness 5K/10K Run and Ride
October 25
Eastern Arizona College Lion’s Club and Safford Lions Club Proudly presents Lion’s Club Mental Health Awareness Run and Ride.
The mission of the Lion’s Club Mental Health Awareness 5K/10K Bike Run is to raise awareness of mental health issues and raise funds that improve access to care.
The annual Eastern Arizona College Lions and Safford Lions 5K and 10K Community Mental Health Awareness Run will be held Saturday, Oct. 25, at the EAC Discovery Park Campus. Bring your family and friends to run, walk, jog or race around the groomed path circling Discovery Park. We are proud to present the proceeds of this event to local entities that help maintain community outreach in providing mental health plans and awareness.
For the Bike Race only BMX or Non Motorized Mountain Bikes are permitted. Bikes with any type of Motor will not be permitted.
Lions Welcome Back Dance Florence Food Bank
October 25th October 31st
A Night to Shine: Capes & Courage
Phoenix Rainbow Lions Supporting Childhood Cancer
At our Kickoff you told us you wanted, better communication, more chances to serve together, and real membership growth—and that is what we are working on! GMT Sandi Sterker and 1VDG Ed Lopez are bringing grants and tools to help club grow with Hungry Lions and branch clubs. PIP/GST Joe Preston and Lion Chris Linder are spotlighting service and launching District-wide Weeks of Service. GLT Su-Lin Trepanitis is building leaders through training and the Mid-Winter Leadership Forum, while GET Jim McCown, and ZC Judy Ahlberg are building new clubs in Tempe, Dreamland Villa and Sunland Village.
Bottom line— we are working on growth, serving, leadership and new clubs. District 21-S is on the move – What can YOU do? ENGAGE and Meet Us Halfway and be a part of it!
BUT WAIT…..THERE’S MORE!
We often hear Lions say the best information is what you pick up informally from other Lions, and that’s exactly what the21-S Roar Room, a Weekly Lions Chat is all about. Starting Wednesday, Oct 8 at 6:30 PM and running every Wednesday through November, this one-hour informal chat gives you a chance to share information, ask questions, and connect with fellow Lions across Southern Arizona. Some of our 21-S leadership will also be there to listen and join the conversation. Join us on Zoom—just click the button below to join on October 8th!
THIS is why we support LCIF! YES – We support needs WORLD-WIDE but ALSO….Right here at home! Here are images from the recent Globe & Miami Flooding. Emergency Departments throughout Arizona have been on the ground and our Clubs have already helped with immediate needs for water, blankets, food, etc….however, 21-S is establishing a proper structure to ensure we are appropriately augmenting ongoing support needs. Ensure you and your Clubs are supporting LCIF!
6.9 Earthquake in Philippines
A devastating earthquake hit the Philippines on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Current death toll is at 69 and potentially growing. Our hearts, prayers AND donations go to support the recovery and support efforts.
Global Action Team – Extension
Club REBUILDING
Insight into Rebuilding a Strong Club
Multiple District 21
Global Action Team –Leadership
MD-21 GLT – Su-Lin Trepanitis
Mid-Year Conference & Leadership Forum
November 7 & 8, 2025
As noted earlier in this issue – all forms for Registration, Hotel Info and Class Schedule Registration are available.
For the Program Book – get your ads in ASAP!
Emerging Lion Leaders Institute
Incredible Opportunity
An intense, three-day leadership course that will be held
conveniently local and will focus on
developing “young” Lions (regardless of age)
Lions and Leos who wish to pursue leadership roles within their club will benefit from attending the Emerging Lions Leadership Institute (ELLI) that will be hosted by Multiple District 21.
At ELLI, you will learn the history and goals of Lions International and Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), develop strategies for becoming an effective leader, and collaborate with a diverse group of fellow Lions and Leos.
Eligibility Requirements: Eligible Lions and Leos should have successfully served on a club committee, have not yet attained the position of club president, and have not previously attended ELLI. Club first vice presidents are strongly encouraged to attend.
Attend ELLI near you, January 23-25, 2026, at one of three venues:
Phoenix/Tempe (east valley),
Tucson, or
Phoenix/Glendale (west valley).
This will be a special, hybrid edition of ELLI, authorized by the Lions Leadership Development division, whereby three venues of 24 Lions/Leos (max.) will participate both in-person and via telecommunications to the other venues. Leadership sessions will be presented via digital technology by a faculty member to all three venues; related activities reinforcing the learning activity will be moderated locally by other faculty members.
Participants will be expected to work within their group to make a presentation to all attendees on the final day. This could be FREE if you complete successfully! Read More Below.
International President called an internet meeting last night to discuss the upcoming Weeks of Service. The first Week of Service will feature Mental Health. It will be held October 4-12. The second one will be January 3-11 featuring Hunger. The last one will be April 18-26 for our Environment.
There is a big change in the criteria to earn the Club Excellence Award. This year a club must report and least four service activities, and three of them must show participation in the Weeks of Service. For more information click below to reach lionsclubs.org/excellence-awards.
In support the Weeks of Service, Lions International has three new service videos, a list of service ideas, and suggestions on trusted partners to work with. For more information, go to lionsclubs.org/weeks-of-service.
As a reminder, you are encouraged to video your service eventsfor the Weeks of Service and send them into Lions International. Provide them in YouTube format to be shared in the Canyon State Lion also! Your videos will be used to promote the quantity, quality, and depth of the service that Lions are providing in Mental Health, Hunger, and our Environment. What a great way to share the impact we are making.
Mental Health is a new Service Initiative for Lions International, and they are kicking it off with a Mental Health Week of Service, October 4-12. International has added participation in the weeks of service as a criteria for the Club Excellence Award for 2025-26.
So, what can your club do?
In the last issue & again in this issue of the Canyon State Lion several suggested service projects from 21N GST Debbie Bushey have been shared. I especially liked the idea of Care Kits for the Soul Wellness Kits. Contact Lion Debbie for more information. MD21 GST Bruce Bushey submitted a service chart with more ideas. I have decided to add a few more ideas of my own:
Host an Art Therapy Program for Trauma Survivors
Provide a Yoga or Meditation Class for Anxiety or Depression
Put together a program featuring pets, as they can play an important role in Mental Health recovery
Invite the public to a seminar put on by a Nutritionist, as nutrition plays a major role in overall Mental Health
Make a presentation to a local school about Lions Quest, which is a school-based curriculum, age appropriate for grades K-12, that teaches such things as making healthy decisions, communication skills, coping skills, resolving conflicts peacefully, empowering young individuals, and more
When you are at your service event for Mental Health, be sure to take a video and send it to serviceactivities@lionsclubs.org, to help us promote what Lions are doing to address this important issue. We also request you send your videos in YouTube format, we can then include them in the November Issue of the Canyon State Lion! Mental Health Handouts are also available below.
Please Together, we can make a difference.
Joe Preston, 21S GST (Global Service Team Coordinator)
The City of Cottonwood Parks and Recreation is joining with the Greater Verde Valley Chamber of Commerce to sponsor the inaugural VVV Fair at the Cottonwood Recreation Center, 150 S. 6th Street in Cottonwood.
This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase LCI, MD21 and the local Lions Clubs: Sedona, Cottonwood, Camp Verde as well as to introduce the fledgling upstart club – Verde Village!
We will share the area with other volunteer groups, so competition will be fierce, but it will give us a chance to meet and recruit potential volunteers; become more acquainted with municipal organizations to build meaningful connections.
Tables, chairs, food and beverages will all be provided. I tried for a second table, but they are all taken. So, we have limited space. Flyers, brochures, handouts are needed as well as standing posters, etc. we can put behind our table.
Please let me know if you are willing to join us! Or use this as a model for your area.
Thanks everyone,
PDG Doug Harvey
MD21/21N GMT
360-957-0980
New Lions, Sponsors & Club Report
Reporting as of August 31, 2025
New Members for 21-N & 21-S = 32
Our Pride is Growing
Club Charter Celebrations
Litchfield Park Warriors Lions Club
Charter Presentation
DG MJ Barjose was pleased to present, to the Litchfield Park Warriors Lions Club, the official Club Charter and formally welcoming them into 21-N. This Club formally chartered July 14, 2025
Welcome to our Pride!
Overgaard Ponderosa Lions Club celebrating their 45th Charter Anniversary! Congratulations
Celebrating Peoria Northwest Valley and Surprise Lion Clubs
for their 25th Charter Anniversaries!
Kudos on Chino Valley Lioness Lions Club’s5th Charter Anniversary.
Camp Tatiyee
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT
Lions Camp Tatiyee receives funds from generous benefactor to
fully purchase land from Lions Foundation of Arizona
Did you Read this last month?!? Such exciting new for Camp Tatiyee! They are still going through some legal hoops at the moment but this should be completed soon!
.Lions Camp Tatiyee is proud to announce the generous donation from a valued benefactor to complete the purchase of the 40 acres that the camp resides on from the Lions Foundation of Arizona. The process has begun to purchase the land and permanently place the title in the name of Lions Camp Tatiyee.
This generous person has been a longtime friend of Camp Tatiyee and wanted to ensure the Camp’s continued success and autonomy for generations to come. The introduction to our camp came with the friendship they have developed over the years with Camp Tatiyee Board 21S VP PCC Bill Menard. Through their friendship, they learned about Camp Tatiyee. A visit to the camp helped solidify the decision to make this donation.
Their legacy will be providing this donation including specific directions that the money’s sole purpose is to open escrow and purchase the land.
Camp Tatiyee is thrilled for this new chapter in our story. We can now focus on operating funds and fundraising to do what we do best; provide the best experience for our campers.
Visual Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Expo (VRATE) is a free educational and informational expo focused on the visually impaired, blind and the deafblind communities here in the greater Phoenix area and throughout the Southwest. They are seeking both Volunteers to assist during the Conference and/or Sponsors/Exhibitors.
Summary of the event:
November 14, 2025
Ability 360 Sports & Fitness Center, Phoenix
Keynote starts at 8:00 am
Exhibit Hall opens at 9:00 am
VRATE invite you to become a catalyst for change by exhibiting or sponsoring at the upcoming Vision Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Expo (VRATE) Conference for individuals who are Blind, have low vision or combined vision/hearing loss taking place on November 14, 2025 at Ability 360 Sports and Fitness Center.
This is more than a conference—it’s a powerful platform to connect, collaborate, and create lasting impact.
As an exhibitor or sponsor, you will:
🔹 Showcase your solutions to a highly engaged audience of professionals, educators, advocates, and individuals with vision loss seeking transformative technologies and services.
🔹 Position your brand as a leader in accessibility, innovation, and inclusion—values that resonate deeply in today’s conscious marketplace.
🔹 Network with key decision-makers in rehabilitation, healthcare, education, and advocacy who are actively looking for tools to enhance independence and quality of life.
🔹 Demonstrate your commitment to social impact and community empowerment while gaining meaningful exposure and media attention.
We believe that progress is powered by partnerships—and your support can help shape a future where barriers are broken, and opportunities are boundless.
Sponsorship packages:
🔹 Diamond Sponsorship $5,000.00
🔹 Platinum Sponsorship $2,500.00
🔹Gold Sponsorship $1,000.00
🔹 Silver Sponsorship $750.00
👉 Secure your sponsorship or exhibit space today and be seen as a driving force for accessibility and innovation: www.vrate.org
Let’s build this future—together.
Click below to review the Letter outlining the functions the Volunteers will fill! It’s a great Service opportunity with Lion’s dedication to Vision!
PLAN AHEAD and SAVE
Tickets Only $35 until 12/15/25 We are SO privileged to have our
Founder’s Birthplace in our backyard!
ENGAGE & be a part of special celebration
It is SO easy to secure tickets! Register NOW to save $
NOTE: When using the QR Code – please be aware of an OPTIONAL donation to Zeffy! You have the option to choose OTHER and place any amount, including $0.00.
Zeffy is an application similar to PayPal created for Non-Profits.
Melvin Jones Lions International Memorial |
15756 West US-70 | Fort Thomas, Arizona 85536-0163
21-S District Projects
ALERT – AZ Lions Eyeglass
Recycling Terminal
HOORAY! Road Construction on Grant Road has been completed enough that the ALERT Work-Day is planned for October 11th! Please join us for Cleaning, Sorting, Reading and preparing eyeglasses for future Missions. Our Goal: Glasses on Faces! Now we really need the hands-on support from clubs! We hope to see you at SAAVI for our October 11th workday!
AZ Youth Exchange- C Kirby Smithe
HOW EXCITING! Rather than hosting exchange students from other countries ….the C. Kirby Smithe Lions Youth Exchange are creating a program to enable clubs to sponsor young people from their community to visit Lions programs in Europe next Summer. Stay tuned to upcoming promotions!
Let’s have some Fun!
Congratulations to Lion Maura Mulligan from the Tucson Rincon Lions Club for winning not only the “Find Leon” but additionally the “Lions Trivia” questions. Please note, this was in the Lions Magazine so was rather an open book test. Lion Maureen was the ONLY ONE to participate and have been entered into our drawing! Competition is obviously not earth shattering so YOUR chances to WIN and be entered into the drawing, are very, VERY Good! LOL
For all you Tail Twisters, Club & District Leadersout there….using articles from the Canyon State are great trivia question at your meetings also! Meet us Halfway = ENGAGEMENT!
This digital Canyon State Lion is one of YOUR
primary communication tools. We are expanding the
Communication Tool Box to ensure a variety of options
for Lions to receive information.
Please submit your articles and photos via email to:
sdpalazzolo@yahoo.com
for publication in the digital Canyon State Lion
by the 25th of the month preceding publication date.
