Mr. Rogers, the beloved, red-sweatered television hero, once said to “Look for the helpers.” By helpers, Mr. Rogers meant the people who seek to make life better for others in some way, whether small or profound, without asking for any favors in return. It seems as though humans are feeling a heightened need to respond to that call.
In today’s world of self-obsessed social media, networking, and marketing, helpers might seem hard to come by. These helpers typically don’t wear capes or make a big ruckus. Instead they are humble, showing up when we least expect it. In fact, they may be our next-door neighbors. In Loveland, two clubs seek to help others purely for the sake of service. As of 2020, the Rotary and Lions clubs have been following their lofty goal of selfless service for 100 years.
As a 30-year member of the Rotary Club, Betsy Burns enjoys being among a group of innovative and motivated helpers. Betsy has held nearly every position in the group, from being a member of the Board of Directors to holding the title of president. While Betsy was one of the first female members, she emphasizes how welcoming the Loveland Rotary was to women and anyone willing to put in work toward community service.
Throughout the years, Rotarians of Loveland have provided immense outreach internationally and locally. Internationally, the club has sent medical equipment to Mexico and works with the PolioPlus program in an effort to end polio in Africa. Locally, the Rotary Club provides college scholarships to high school seniors, technology to classrooms, and literacy services to low-income households, to name a few.
Betsy has maintained her service to the community of Loveland in tandem with her positions as a mom and full-time real estate agent. In regards to the amount of effort that volunteering requires in addition to life’s daily expectations, Burns says, “It’s an honor to be a member. The fun thing is that you always have the energy for things you feel strongly about.”
Something Betsy feels very strongly is the club’s pure focus and primary purpose of providing services to others. Rotary is extremely careful about not letting membership become another networking opportunity. Besty testifies that Rotary is more about community projects and programs than building business connections. Above all, Rotary maintains the motto “service over self.”
Because of her longevity in the club, Betsy has had the honor of witnessing two major Rotary Club anniversaries. For their 75th celebration commemoration in 1995, the Rotarians sought a long-lasting, community-focused project. After much consideration, they landed on something quite larger than the once-discussed park bench- the Norma & Lynn Hammond Amphitheater at North Lake Park (2750 N Taft Ave, Loveland). This outdoor theater hosts a yearly Fourth of July concert as well as other free concerts and events throughout the summer. The Rotary Club gifted the amphitheater to the City of Loveland as part of their Art in Public Places Program. For their 100th anniversary, the Rotary dedicated a clock in downtown Loveland’s Foundry Plaza.
Another one of Burns’s favorite Rotary-sponsored activities is the annual duck race. Participants pay to sponsor a duck in a race down the Thompson River (where they will eventually be caught by a net and retrieved with the help of Boy Scouts). As the largest fundraising arm for the club, it provides items such as dictionaries and Chromebook laptops to elementary students and scholarships to graduating high school seniors.
While the Rotary Club is traditionally an invitation-only club, Betsy encourages those interested to reach on their website to fill out an interest survey.
Wilma Davis’ involvement with the Lions Club began when she saw the ‘Little Train’ in operation at North Lake Park (The Buckhorn Northern Railroad, 29th St. & Taft Avenue, Loveland.) As she stopped to watch, a man encouraged, “Would you like to drive that? Join the Lions Club!” Admittedly, Wilma joined the club so she could drive the train. One of her favorite memories during the thirteen years she drove the train involves a family of five generations, including a 101-year-old great grandma and a three-month-old baby, riding together and building memories.
Wilma worked at the Loveland Sheriff’s Office for 27 years as a dispatcher, sergeant, and the first female deputy. Wilma’s resume also includes time as a gas station attendant, one of the first female wrecker and tow truck drivers in the northern Colorado area, and a mother. She has even tried her luck at drag racing. “I’ve had an amazing life,” Wilma says. An essential part of that can be traced to her service in the Lions Club.
Over her thirteen years of membership, Wilma’s service in the club has come with a variety of positions, including treasurer and president. While driving the Little Train remains her favorite role, Wilma enjoys the many ways that the Lions Club fulfills their simple motto: “We Serve.”
Among the events that the Lions Club organizes and supports are free community pancake breakfasts, an annual golf tournament, and the Timber Dan Toy Show. Their services and fundraising help provide necessary protective gear for local police, eye exams for children, and free eyeglasses for anyone in need. They support local high schoolers by funding scholarships, proms, and graduations.
Above all, KidSight is the program that Wilma favors. The program provides eye exams to children ages 6 months through 6 years. According to Lions KidSight website, “Unless vision problems are detected early and corrected, they risk becoming permanent by age 7.” In Loveland alone, over 2,000 children have received free exams.
Like the Rotary Club, the Lions Club will celebrate its 100th year anniversary of service this May (tentatively- the date is to be determined) and the 20th anniversary of their annual Golf Tournament (June 11th, 2020.)
Betsy and Wilma are both in agreement that dedicating time to volunteer work is way more than a responsibility.
“It’s a way to pay back the community, get involved, and stay aware. It’s not work: it’s enjoyment,” Wilma says.
Additionally, there is a teen arm of the Lions Club called the Leos. They help aid in fundraising efforts and sell tickets for the Little Train. At only $10, monthly dues are minimal and weekly meetings are optional (but encouraged.)
Both clubs welcome new members, volunteers, and donations. You have the opportunity to be a helper alongside Betsy, Wilma, and all the other club members while experiencing the joy that comes with putting others above yourself.