Lions to host party for special children


November 29, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

Lions to host party for special children

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown Lions Club will host its 88th annual Christmas party for visually impaired and special needs students of Youngstown Public schools, Leonard Kirtz School, and Eagle Heights Academy at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Saxon Club, 710 S. Meridian Road.

Entertainment will be by Danger Zone, and Santa will be on hand to present gifts to the children.

Recipients of the Pauline Powers Scholarship awards will be recognized. The scholarships are presented to students majoring in special education and social studies at Youngstown State University.

Anyone interested wrapping the presents for the youngsters will be welcome at the wrapping party the Lions Club will host at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Saxon Club.

Wine tasting, auction to help transplant patient

WARREN — Volunteers of the National Foundation for Transplants are planning a wine tasting and silent auction to benefit Jay Menhennet, 43, of Warren with expenses required after a kidney transplant.

Menhennet has struggled with health problems for many years. A history of diabetes and renal failure led to his first transplant in 2000. His body rejected the kidney last year. His sister donated a kidney on Nov. 4 to save his life.

The event will take place Dec. 6 at WineStyles, 8208 Market St. Tickets cost $15 and include refreshments. Auction items include a Vera Bradley set, tickets to the Cleveland Browns-Cincinnati Bengals game, restaurant gift certificates, home decor and more.

For tickets or more information, call (330) 638-5662. Seating is limited.

A transplant patient requires a lifetime of follow-up care and anti-rejection medications. The medications alone can range from $2,000 to $5,000 each month and are as critical to his survival as the transplant itself.

To help overcome these financial challenges, Menhennet turned to the foundation. To make a donation in honor of him, mail a tax-deductible donation to the NFT Ohio Kidney Fund, P.O. Box 344, Cortland OH 44410. Please be sure to write “in honor of Jay Menhennet” on the memo line. Secure donations can also be made online at www.transplants.org. Donors should click on “Patients we help” to locate Menhennet.