Project Sweetness

The Lions Clubs of District 20-S, serving all of Suffolk County, received an Emergency Grant on April 14th from Lions Club International Foundation through the New York State and Bermuda Lions - MD-20, approving $18,250.00 for “Project Sweetness” to begins on Monday, April 21, and Tuesday, April 22nd – continuing for three weeks.

The mission of “Project Sweetness” is to make life a little sweeter and happier for our front-line medical workers in nine Suffolk County hospitals — from the East End to the County Line.

District Governor Marianne Tremaroli contacted hospitals throughout Suffolk County to ask if they would like this treat. Nine hospitals replied that they were excited and looking forward to this sweet treat for their overworked staff.

Using the funds from the emergency grant, 20-S will purchase 500 individually wrapped and boxed ice cream pops each week from the distributor Hershey Creamery of East Northport. 20-S will continue to purchase the same amount for three-weeks period. The delivery company is donating a driver and truck to our project.

The Zone Chairpersons in the district will contact each Lions Club President to rally and pinpoint volunteers from their club to help transfer the ice cream from the delivery truck to the hospital.

At each hospital, a local Lion will receive the carton of ice cream from the driver at the hospital – after placing the box on the floor – wearing a mask, gloves, since the carton will be frozen – maintaining a six-foot circle of “service” distance. Each Lion will attach a printed label reading, "Thank You!” to the hospital staff on the box. Each Lion is asked to take a selfie with the labeled box. Lions will then place the cartons closer to the hospital entrance and wait for the hospital staff to take the cartons into the hospital.

All Lions must wear a mask, maintaining six feet “service” distance, and observe proper hygiene. The selfies are needed to help close out the grant process