Lions Club of Royal Oak, Michigan

Lion Mints
The Royal Oak Lions were one of the first clubs in southeast Michigan to raise money through the sale of Lions mints, when it was begun under the guidance of Lion Roger Kirk in 1987. Our club currently collects $7,200 to $7,800.00 annually from sales. With costs of less than 50% per year it accounts for as much as $4,500.00 net revenue for charity each year.

The mints are purchased from Profit Masters, Inc. and are kept in inventory with Lion Mal Armstrong and Lion Dr. Dave Batton. The mints are sold at 50 cents per roll, although some older locations are still selling at 35 cents per roll. They come in four varieties:

Wintergreen

Fizzy Fruit

Peppermint

and Sugar-Free !

Wintergreen accounts for about 40% of sales; Fizzy Fruit accounts for about 38%, Peppermint about 20%; and Sugar-free the remaining 2%.

Each Lion in charge of a location will service it by removing the cash collected and restocking the mints. The inventory should be about 3 to 6 cartons and the location should be serviced frequently enough so that the cash in the tray does not exceed $25.00-$35.00. For some locations, this could be weekly; for others it could be monthly. All money is currently turned in to the Treasurer. The Lion should count the money and roll the coins retaining partial rolls for later deposit or the Lion may replace the money with a personal check. All checks and money should be marked as mint money, with the location and the Lion's initials, so that when it is processed there is no confusion as to its source.

To set up a new location, a Lion should obtain the approval of the business owner, then place a tray with the accompanying sign in an area of high volume of traffic, such as next to a cash register or teller window. Additional cartons may be left with the business to restock the tray as it empties. Before servicing the location, it is a good idea to mix some of each kind of mint in every carton.

It is also a good idea to keep a record of sales and number of rolls sold, so that if a location does not show a gross profit on a regular basis it may be discontinued. With a sale price of 35 to 50 cents and an average cost of 17.3 cents per roll after an early payment discount of $5.00 per case, the location should make a profit of as much as 33 cents per roll. If you're not taking in at least 25 cents per roll, the site should be closed. Many locations do not take in what they should because there is a certain amount of pilferage. Restaurants are the best sites, particularly if the trays are kept next to the cash register.

Be on the lookout for additional locations for the sale of mints and report on them to our mint chairman.

Lion Mal Armstrong, Chairman
Lion Bob Westbury, Co-Chairman

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