New Lions Club benefit to raise money for student assistance fund; “Night School” to perform

by Dan McClelland

Several months ago the Tupper Lake Lions Club partnered with Lion Rob “Dauber” Drasye to direct and raise capital for an important student assistance fund for the students in the local school district.

For years Mr. Drasye has been canvassing the community each year, and often at Christmas, to raise money to buy school supplies, warm coats and other clothing, footwear and sports equipment for local students in need of them. All proceeds went into the fund that was maintained and anonymously orchestrated by the school district committee of administrators, counselors and teachers.

Rob’s campaigning and the fund increased with each passing year.

This past year the local contractor who is a Lions Club member asked his club for their help, and the members enthusiastically agreed.

Directing the new Lions-school district program from the club’s perspective are Lions Cindy Lewis and Amanda Amell.

So on Friday, September 8 the Lions Club will host an event at Raquette River Brewing to benefit the student assistance fund. The event will be from 3p.m. to 8p.m. There will be raffles, a Chinese Auction and other fundraising events. The Lions are looking to create attractive gift baskets for the Chinese Auction. Donated goods can be directed to either Cindy or Amanda in coming weeks.

Raffle sales will begin at 3p.m., and at 5p.m. the popular local band, “Night School,” will begin its three-hour performance. The band members- Ben and Andrew McClelland, Jay Martin, Micah Tyo, Lauren Connell and Ryan Gillis, are donating their time and talent that evening to the Lions Club and its fund to help needy students and their families here.

Information about the coming event can be directed to those ladies or to Club President Stuart Nichols at (518) 359-9779.