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Thurmont Lions Club Giving Back to the Community

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This coming October, the Thurmont Lions Club (TLC) will be celebrating its 87th anniversary of service to the Thurmont community. Lions Clubs International, the parent organization for TLC, is the largest volunteer service organization in the world, with over 1.4 million members and a motto of “We Serve.” There are a number of service programs the Lions International expects individual clubs to support, such as vision conservation and disaster relief. Going beyond these programs, every Lions Club is free to decide how they want to serve at the local level. In the case of TLC, their primary focus, since the beginning, has been the betterment of the local Thurmont community and surrounding area.

One of the requirements that every Lions Club must follow is that one hundred percent of the monies collected from the public must be either used to support service projects or donated directly back to the public. Every year, TLC donates tens of thousands of dollars to support their local community. They support education and youth programs, provide emergency financial relief to individuals, and support community betterment projects like the Thurmont Trolley Trail.

The primary source of community service funds for the TLC is their food sales. This includes their well known periodic sandwich sales, as well as their food tent at both the annual Community Show and Colorfest. In addition, they hold bingo parties and raffles, and sell items such as Christmas ornaments that feature the art work of local artist, Rebecca Pearl. All of these projects, both fundraising and hands-on community service, require a lot of people-power. As a result, they are always looking for new members who want to give back to the community.

If you would like to learn more about the Thurmont Lions Club—and Lionism in general—stop by their information table at the Thurmont and Emmitsburg Community Show on September 9-11, 2016. In addition to learning more about what they do, you will also have the opportunity to purchase tickets for their Barry Richardson art raffle; order your annual Christmas ornament; enter a no-cost raffle for a McCutcheon’s products gift basket; get an ornament disc for the annual Thurmont Community Remembrance Tree; and pick up a world-famous Lions corn broom

Colorfest Tallies its Annual Contributions to the Community

By On · Add Comment · In Community News, Local Events

James Rada, Jr.

Colorfest, Inc. met for its annual meeting on November 11, 2014, at Simply Asia in Thurmont to elect officers for the coming year and to review its contributions to the Thurmont community.

Colorfest, Inc. earns income from the annual fall festival and returns much of that money back to the community through either cash donations or purchases made on behalf of organizations.

Between December 2013 and November 2014, Colorfest gave $14,486.50 in cash and goods to the Thurmont community.

Here’s how those donations break down: Guardian Hose Company—$1,500; Thurmont Ambulance Company—$1,500; Thurmont Police Department—$1,500; Catoctin High School FFA—$1,164.40 (for a hog purchase at the Community Show, which was donated back and sold again with the proceeds donated to the Thurmont Food Bank); Catoctin High Scholarship—$3,500; Boy Scouts—$50 (for the BSA popcorn fundraiser that was then sent to overseas servicemen); Memorial Day Observance—$25 (for flowers and a wreath at Memorial Park); Straw—$188; Town Gardens—$126.19; Commissioners of Thurmont—$2,000; Gift Card—$50; Thurmont Food Bank—$2,233; Summer Donation—$250; Thurmont Regional Library—$100; Town Christmas Decorations—$200; Thurmont Main Street—$100.

In addition, local businesses and organizations benefit from the increased traffic in town during Catoctin Colorfest weekend. Hotels and restaurants are filled. Gas stations sell more.

Many organizations also use the event as a major fundraiser for their groups. Even residents make money with yard sales.

“We really try to support the local businesses, restaurants, hardware stores, grocery, by buying straw or flowers or Christmas decorations or even printing our brochures and fliers,” said Colorfest President Carol Robertson.

Robertson and all of the current officers are remaining in office for the next year and will continue making contributions to their community.

The 2015 Catoctin Colorfest will be October 10 and 11, 2015.