Chief Deputy Brad York, Sheriff Steve Levorchick and Deputy Bud Chasteen receive a $1,500 donation for the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department’s ‘Project Lifesaver” from President Mike Garber, Mark Kozlok, Ray Kroft and Terry Hartley of the Port Clinton Lions Club.

Project Lifesaver of Ottawa County, a program managed by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department to quickly help law enforcement recover people who are confused or lost, got another big boost from the Port Clinton Lion’s Club.

The local Lions Club initiated a $1,500 Community Impact Grant from the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) at its recent Lions District Convention to support Ottawa County law enforcement officers trying to find people who have Alzheimer’s disease — or other cognitive impairments — which may cause them to wander away from home.

Electronic signal wristbands and radio tracking devices allow specially trained deputies of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s office to locate those who have become lost, often in a matter of minutes of being notified. Currently, there are 16 clients wearing the wristband transmitters in Ottawa County.

The LCIF grant was used to pay for the training of seven deputies, as well as the purchase of new equipment and supplies.

Project Lifesaver of Ottawa County was initiated by the Port Clinton Lions in 2005. It was the first such program established in northwest Ohio.

The Lion’s Club motto is “We Serve,” pointed out club President Mike Garber in making the presentation.

“It is something the local Lion’s Club has exemplified for the past 67 years, and through its support of Project Lifesaver of Ottawa County during the last decade and a half.

“Our support has come in the form of helping initiate the project, and providing funding through volunteers such as Lions Ray Kroft and Mark Kozlok,” said Garber. “The Sheriff’s department in turn manages the day-to-day operations of this project, assigning trained officers to locate and approach those with cognitive impairments, gain their trust and help them home.

“With the support of LCIF (Lions Club International Foundation), we requested and obtained an LCIF Community Impact Grant for $1,500 for Project Lifesaver of Ottawa County. LCIF designates grant money to improve health and well-being, strengthen communities, and protect the most vulnerable among us.”

The Port Clinton Lions Club also was honored at the recent district convention with the Lions Membership Plus One Award for membership growth; the Governors Excellence Award for club management and district participation; Club Service Award for involvement within and support of the local community; Secretary’s Challenge Award for administration details; the Horst Herzog Lions Club International Foundation Award for financial support of the foundation; and the Humanitarian Award for Humanitarian Donations.