Community & Clubs:

There is a charity group in town that I hadn’t heard of until I received their press release announcing that it had heeded the call to reach out to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

In five days, 22 members of the Young Men of Beach City Service League (BCSL) donated more than $1,800 worth of hygiene and first-aid items that the Haitians desperately need. They donated everything from soap and toothbrushes to Tylenol, bandages and vitamins. All of these supplies were taken to Rock Harbor Church in Costa Mesa, and will be flown to Haiti for their Haiti Relief drive.

Newport Beach residents Diane Edmonston and Mary Pat Lucas founded Beach City Service League in January 2007 to encourage boys in high school, along with their mothers, to participate in service activities that improve the community and build personal leadership skills.

The Young Men of BCSL have been extremely active over the past several months in different capacities. In October, they worked with the young ladies of the Assisteens to clean up the beach in Newport and glean the fields of produce that was donated to Second Harvest Food Bank. The boys adopted families through Camp Pendleton, hosted a Toy Drive for Someone Cares Soup Kitchen and spent time Christmas Caroling with the young ladies of National Charity League for local senior citizen homes.

Members have volunteered for causes ranging from Special Olympics, the American Cancer Society, Second Harvest Food Bank, High Hopes and the U.S. Army to local soup kitchens, fire stations and youth groups. The boys also attend meetings, during which they learn important life skills such as time management, etiquette, dealing with social stresses and leadership. For more information on BCSL, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.beachcityserviceleague.com.

LIONS HONOR MEMBER

The Harbor Mesa Lions recently honored member Lisa Knowles with the Melvin Jones Fellowship at the annual award event. Named after the founder of Lions International, the Melvin Jones Award is the highest award that is given to members or persons who have been outstanding contributors to the many projects and efforts that help our community and world. Knowles has chaired many events and worked diligently to make the club successful. She has been a member of the Harbor Mesa Lions for three years.

LIONS RESPOND TO EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI

Lions International President Eberhard J. Wirfs stated in a recent e-mail to members around the world: “Naturally, the response by Lions to LCIF’s Lions Hope for Haiti donation appeal has been tremendous. Within days, we have already mobilized more than $350,000. By the time you receive this e-mail, I am sure it will be even much, much more. But we’ll need millions more if we are to help the country rebuild, to provide homes for the homeless, to rebuild schools for the children, to rehabilitate those left disabled, and to help heal so many shattered and broken hearts. So please donate what you can.

“Lastly, I am extremely saddened to report that two of our Haitian Lions — our family — have perished and other Lions may have lost family members. On behalf of Lions the world over and members of our international board, we offer our sincere, heartfelt condolences and sympathies to our Lions family who have suffered such personal losses.

“To our Lions family in Haiti, I commit to you that the Lions of the world will be there for you today, tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, the year after that — and again for as long as it takes.”

WORTH REPEATING

“Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.”

— Plato

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

TODAY

6 p.m.: The 65-member Rotary Club of Newport Balboa meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club to hear a craft talk. Visit www.newportbalboa.org.

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at Five Crowns for a club assembly program. For more information, visit www.newportbeachsunriserotary.org.

COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Wednesdays. Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655 or by e-mail to [email protected] .