Lions: We Want Your Hide
City-Times Staff
The Wisconsin Lions Camp is once again collecting deer hides to help support its summer camp program for children and adults with disabilities.
Wisconsin Lions so far this year have sent 140 people to camp.
The fundraiser was started in 1991 by Lions Director Bernie Stuttgen of Thorp.
“I must have fell down and hit my head to come up with an idea like this,” Stuttgen said jokingly. “The idea itself really came from seeing a large number of hides thrown into ditches around town- I decided I was going to try something.”
The Deer Hides for Lions Camp project started out small, raising just over $5,000 in its first six years. Some 20 years later, the collection is one of the largest fundraisers for Wisconsin Lions Foundation, Inc.
“It’s amazing the way it took off and the amount of money we were able to raise,” Stuttgen added. “Those that help don’t ask for any recognition- they do it out of the kindness of their hearts and I thank God for them. We could not be nearly as successful without every single one of their help.”
The program has grown to about 120 collection sites for deer hides
Go to www.wlf.info or call 877-463-4969 to find the drop-off location near you.