By Trent Moore

trentm@cullmantimes.com

Outgoing Cullman Lion’s Club President Charles Pinkston made one last gesture as his time in office came to an end Monday night at the club’s installation of officers meeting for 2008-2009.

“We wanted to do something that would be beneficial to a lot of people in Cullman,” Pinkston said.

So, Pinkston and the Cullman Lion’s Club donated $50,000 to Cullman Regional Medical Center to go toward the hospital’s Golden Window Campaign for emergency room service upgrades and improvements.

Chester Freeman, honorary co-chair of the CRMC Foundation and Cullman Lion’s Club member, said the donation to CRMC is a great way to make a positive impact on many people living in the county.

“It’s in the best interest of the community because everyone in the community uses those facilities,” he said. “We (Lion’s Club) get our money from the community, so we wanted to give something back.”

By helping the hospital, the donation would be able to affect more people than just Lion’s Club members, Pinkston said.

“It’s not just for the club members, but for everyone,” he said.

Pinkston said he sees the hospital as an asset for the people of Cullman.

“Quality healthcare is not something we should take for granted,” he said.

Co-chair of the Golden Window Campaign Clint Frey said Cullman Lion’s Club set the bar for community support for the campaign.

“We have asked the community to step forward and support this project,” he said. “You all have helped establish a great benchmark.”

CRMC President & CEO Jim Weidner said he was ecstatic to receive the donation.

“On behalf of the hospital it is my privilege to accept and thank you,” he said.

Weidner said through the Golden Window Campaign he plans to make the CRMC emergency room one of the best in the state.

“We will establish and make our ER the best in Alabama,” he said. “That is thanks in part to this $50,000 donation.”

As part of the Golden Window Campaign, the board of directors hopes to eventually raise $5,000,000 to improve the emergency room.

Plans include an increase of treatment rooms, the addition of private rooms and three specially equipped and certified major trauma rooms, among other things.

The campaign calls for the current 5,000 square feet emergency room facilities to be renovated, plus the construction of an additional 3,000 square feet for emergency room facilities.

The Golden Window Campaign has currently raised $2,500,000, and is expected to reach its target goal next year.

Also at the dinner, the Cullman Lion’s Club and Lioness Club announced the new slate of officers for 2008-2009.

The new officers for the Cullman Lion’s Club include President Jerry Caudle, First Vice President Raymond Williams, Second Vice President David Bussman, Third Vice President Ron Seybold, Secretary Jim Howard, Treasurer Richard Haggard, Tail Twister Jerry Eddleman, Lion Tamer Dennis Berse, One Year Directors Steve Cartee and Carey Thompson, Two year Directors Milton Brummer and Charles McBrayer, and Membership Chairman Fred Osborne.

New officers for the Cullman Lioness Club include President Janice Osborne, First Vice President Ginger Hogeland, Second Vice President Janice Parker, Third Vice President Sue Spradlin, Secretary Kaye Harbison, Treasurer Carol Nielsen, Tail Twister Sammie Danford, Lioness Tamer Ruth Anderson, One Year Director Peggy Horsley, Two Year Director Patti Miller and Three Year Director Dottie Henke.