COMMUNITY & CLUBS:Harbor Mesa Lions donate $20,000

Harbor Mesa Lions recently contributed $20,000 to community and local organizations. The money was generated by fundraisers such as casino night, the annual garage sale, ice cream and candy sales and booths at the Lions Fish Fry.

President Arlene Schafer gave checks to representatives of organizations including Adult Day Services, Angels Charity, Blind Children’s Learning Center, the Boys and Girls Club, City of Hope, Families of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast Interfaith Community Shelter, Share Ourselves Soup Kitchen, Youth Employment Services as well as Lions International programs such as Teresita Pines Camp for Disabled, Wilderness Camp for Blind Children and others.

Along with these funds, Harbor Mesa donates clothing, food and school supplies to needy families and help with city events throughout the year. They also help schools with sight and hearing testing of students.

“Our club is extremely active and always willing to help those in need in our community. We are proud to belong the largest service organization in the world and welcome anyone interested in joining us,” Schafer said. “We are holding our annual garage sale from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 14, at 3085 Fernheath Lane in Costa Mesa. Please stop by and help us help our community,” Schafer added.

THANK OUR MILITARY

I was moved to tears this week, watching a video of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” from Wednesday, when she reunited Marines of the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Alpha Company, along with their naval corpsman, who had just returned from a seven-month tour of duty in Iraq, with their loved ones — wives, children and parents. I was proud at Monday night’s Angels baseball game when the 43,000 people stood to honor our military and sing “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch.

My experience in visiting with active duty military is that they are not always aware that we appreciate and value what they do and their willingness to lay down their lives for us. I find they are appreciative of a “Thank you for what you do” that goes with a handshake.

My encouragement to Daily Pilot readers is to thank them and offer a handshake when you see a person in a military uniform or in casual dress. They are real-life heroes!

REMEMBERING THE HOLOCAUST

“Remembering the Holocaust” is the theme of Wednesday’s luncheon meeting of the Newport-Mesa-Irvine Interfaith Council. Speakers are Marilyn Herron of Chapman University Holocaust Center and Rabbi Richard Steinberg of Congregation Shir Ha Ma’alot, who will conduct a short remembrance service, according to Rev. Dennis Short, the council’s president.

The program, which will be held at Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot, 3652 Michelson Drive, Irvine, begins at 11:45 a.m. with a reception, a buffet lunch at noon, followed by the program at 12:40 p.m. and adjournment by 1:30 p.m.

The cost is $10 per person with reservation, $12 without reservation. Reservations are required by Monday and can be made by calling (714) 921-8665 or by e-mailing nmiinterfaith@aol.com.

EXCHANGE CLUB OFFICERS

The Exchange Club of Newport Harbor has selected Bob Jessen as president for 2007-08. Serving with Jessen will be Nick Berger, president-elect; Steve Pool, vice president; Tuck Rabbitt, secretary; Tom Norton, treasurer; and Dick Waitenight, Gary Barnhill, Jerry Nininger, Marcel Pahmer and Al Wach as directors. The Newport Harbor Exchange Club is the oldest service club in Newport-Mesa; it was chartered in 1926.

WORTH REPEATING

From the Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport-Mesa-Irvine Interfaith Council

“If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.”— MARK TWAIN

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

How are you giving back to your community? Help your community and the world through a service club! For many, service club membership is an extension of our religious beliefs and congregation affiliation.

You are invited to attend a service club meeting this coming week to learn more about opportunity for service. Most clubs will buy your first meal for you as you get acquainted with them.

TUESDAYThe 40-member Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at Five Crowns to hear Steve Lewis of the Newport Beach Fire Department; www.newportbeachsunriserotary.org .

7:30 a.m.:

Noon: The 20-member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Costa Mesa Marriott Suites.

6 p.m.: The Costa Mesa Newport Harbor Lions Club meets at the Costa Mesa Golf and Country Club.

WEDNESDAYThe 10-member Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club meets at Denny’s Restaurant, 290 Bristol St., Costa Mesa.

7:30 a.m.:

Noon: The 27-member Exchange Club of the Orange Coast meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program on Crime Prevention.

6 p.m.: The 55-member Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program by Dr. Raj Desai on his meeting with the president of India on Project Deaf India. For information, go to www.newportbalboa.org.

THURSDAYThe 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club meets at Mimi’s Cafe.

7 a.m.:

Noon: The 50-member Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club meets at the Holiday Inn, For details, go to www.kiwanis.org/club/costamesa. The 45-member Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach-Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for “Free Wheelchair Mission: Fulfilling Dreams of Mobility” by Don Schoendorfer. For details, go to www.newportbeach kiwanis.org. The 85-member Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the University Club at UC Irvine for the police awards program. For more, go to www.nirotary.org. The 95-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club to hear from Jim Gates on the Water Supply and Conservation Efforts in Orange County. For information, go to https://members.cox.net/nhexchangeclub/index.htm .