On Tuesday, July 5, the Fairfax Host Lions Club was pleased to have Lion Jim Purton as our speaker  for the Lions Project for Canine Companions for Independence (LPCCI).  Lion Jim brought one of the dogs he and his wife are in the process of training.  Carson was politely friendly, and quietly rested on the hearth during Jim’s talk.

Since the LPCCI was founded in 1983, Lions Clubs have contributed $2.5 million to the Canine Companions for Independence (CCI)  program founded in 1975.  CCI is headquartered in Santa Rosa, California with five regional centers located across the nation in California, Colorado, Ohio, Illinois, New York and Florida.  The goal of the organization, which began in California, is to provide “exceptional dogs for exceptional people.”  Over 3,500 CCI dogs have been placed since 1975.

CCI puppies are born and nurtured in the homes of volunteer breeders.  At about the age of eight weeks, the pups are placed with volunteer puppy raisers for the next 13 to 18 months when they learn basic obedience.  The next step for the maturing young dogs is Advanced Training at a CCI regional center.  This training is a 6 to 9 month-long highly structured program.  Upon successful completion, the dogs then enter a two-week intensive Team Training in which they are matched with either an adult or child with a disability.  The Team Training curriculum includes dog handling and care, training methods, commands, and field trips.  Once the assistance dog has been placed, CCI provides support services for an average of 8 to 10 years.

CCI provides four types of assistance dogs.  The Service dog assists disabled adults with practical daily tasks.  As a part of his talk, Jim showed a video of how a Service Dog gives valuable assistance.  In the video, a young woman disabled with polio relied upon her dog to open and close the refrigerator door, pick up the telephone and hand it to her, and even retrieve a paper clip from the floor and place it in her lap.

The other three assistance dogs provided are:

• Skilled Companion Dogs assist children with disabilities and adults with severe disabilities under the supervision of a facilitator.  In addition to providing physical assistance, these dogs play an important role in boosting confidence and alleviating feelings of isolation.
• Hearing Dogs help people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing by alerting them to key sounds such as a knock at the door, a smoke alarm, or someone addressing them by name.
• Facility Dogs work alongside health care and educational professions in settings such as rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and special education classrooms.

There are three ways in which fellow Lions can help in this valuable community

1. spread the word and promote the LPCCI to fellow Lion members and clubs
2. take a puppy into your home for 13 to 18 months or provide a home for one of CCI’s breeder dogs.
3. donate money either individually or through your Lions Club.  Approximately $45,000 is required to train a dog, including feeding and veterinarian care.  Clients receive the dogs free of charge.

For more information, please contact Lion Jim Purton at (540) 368-2960.

Join us at the next Citrus Fruit Sale!

We will be selling fresh Ruby Red Grapefruits and Valencia Oranges straight from the farms of Florida, Vermont Maple Syrup, and Virginia Peanuts. We often sell out on Saturday afternoon, so please come early to be sure you get the produce you desire!

Our doors are opened from 9am – 6pm Daily. Find us at Fairfax Circle, along Old Lee Hwy, adjacent to Home Depot. For those who attended the November sale at the new and temporary location in the parking lot, the December and March sales will return to our old location at the corner of the lot. Look for the blue and white moving van from Craig Van Lines.

If you haven’t signed up for our notification list, please CLICK HERE so you will receive notification prior to each sale. You’ll also receive a coupon for $3.00 off each full box purchased!

The Fairfax Host Lions’ Club sponsored Peace Poster contests in four middle schools this past fall. Winners are:

Peace Poster winners, their families, and their art teachers were recognized at the FHLC dinner meeting on Tuesday, January 4.

All posters advanced to the District 24-A contest and were judged by staff from the Arts Council of Fairfax County. Out of 25 posters, MinJoo’s poster took first place, while Ha-young’s poster received an honorable mention. MinJoo’s poster will advance to the District 24 State contest.

Hover your mouse over the images below to see the name of the artist.  Click the image for a larger version.