A History of the Norwich Lions Club Memory Tree and how it benefits the 19 days of the Valley
An easy way to remember a loved one and help those in need
You can download and print the above form to make your donation or use your own note.
I am sharing with you the history of the Norwich Lions club memory tree from a story that was done in 2020 by Steve Flanders.
Here is more information on the memory Tree and a real nice story that Steve Flanders did, on the history of the event.
https://norwichlionsclub.org/about/norwich-lions-club-news/
And the link for the form on the website is here:
https://norwichlionsclub.org/community-work/memory-tree/
Photo credits for this story belong to Steve Flanders and Chad Finer.
You can download and print the above form or use your own note paper
Phil Wheeler, Cheryl Brush, and Rick Tucker at the official lighting of the 2020 memory tree ceremony.
And hot off the press, the photos of this years 2022 Memory Tree that was put up today. Photo credit for todays tree decorating photos goes to Gary De Gasta and Glen Britton.
Glenn Britton and Gary De Gasta gave over 4 hours out of their day today to go to the Nichols Tree Farm in Lyme, pick out the right tree, chop it down and bring it back to Norwich. It actually took almost another two hours just to get the tree in the stand and align it just right. Next came the lights and then the remaining decorations. They decided to go ahead and let people enjoy the lights on the tree since the lights strung along the fence on Main Street were already up and operating. The tree was noticed right away by people passing by who were very complimentary.
This sure does look like the perfect tree right ?
Glen and Gary trying to figure out the Gizmo that is going to hold the tree up. Sure hope they succeed.
Looks like it worked and once again teamwork is key
Speaking of Teamwork, here is Team A ( Glen Britton and Fran De Gasta )
And here is Team B ( Fran De Gasta and Gary De Gasta)
Click on the below links for more info
Memory Tree
Your memories have double the benefit
Share them with the Norwich Lions Club Memory Tree
The Norwich Lions Club is accepting donations to benefit the 19 Days of Norwich, which is Dan & Whit’s initiative to raise funds for the Upper Valley Haven. Donations will be matched by the Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation.
We invite you to memorialize those who are special to you with the attractive form below that you can download and print by clicking on it:
Or, you can tell us your name and those to be remembered on your own note.
Either mail your remembrance to:
Norwich Lions Club Memory Tree
P.O. Box 854
Norwich, VT 05055-0854
Or, drop it off at the box on the front door of:
Tracy Hall, 300 Main Street
Your optional contribution towards the 19 Days of Norwich will be greatly appreciated. Please make checks out to “Norwich Lions Club”.
Bonnie Munday—the Norwich Town Clerk—has kindly offered to compile your memorials on a poster that she will display in front of Tracy Hall in the New Year.
The tradition of Lions Club memory trees started when our own Phil Wheeler became District 45 governor in 1979 and encouraged clubs in the state to use memory trees to promote the holiday spirit. Norwich has had a memory tree since then, starting with the efforts of Norwich Lions: Joe Grant, Red Logan, Jack Van Horn, Len Cook, Jim Southworth, Bob Huke, and Howie Berryman.
Continuing the tradition were Norwich Lions: George Porter, Bill Osgood, Ed Seaton, Bill Merrill, Earl Thompson, Bill Molloy, and Ed Janeway. More recently, Norwich Lions Rusty Bernal, Robert and Laurie Sabatelle, Demo Sofronas, Jay van Arman, and John Lawe were active participants in providing the tree. The Norwich Historical Society has chronicled the efforts of many of these.
In 2020 Brion McMullan and Debbie Bernal have continued to spearhead the acquisition, placement and decoration of the tree, assisted by Rusty Bernal, Lion King Cheryl Brush, Fran and Gary De Gasta, and Phil Wheeler.
Your donations, matched by the Byrne Foundation, benefit the Upper Valley Haven—a non-profit, private organization that serves people struggling with poverty by providing food, shelter, education, service coordination, and other support.