The Lions Club of Palm Coast is letting out a mighty roar to invite local residents to become new members and help with their mission to support the blind and deaf. The Lions Club’s motto is “We Serve,” and they need community support to keep serving Flagler County.
Anyone interested in becoming a member is invited to attend the club’s next meeting on Monday, Sept. 11 at 5:30 PM at Lohman Funeral Home in Palm Coast. Refreshments will be served, and newcomers are welcome. The club meets the second Monday of each month, except for July and August. The club accepts members of all ages and dues are $85 annually.
The club’s membership, which once was more than 100 members locally, has dwindled down to a little more than 20 members.
“We need more people to participate so we can make this group bigger and grow it again,” said Nina Guiglotto, president of the Palm Coast Lions Club.
Founded in 1973, the Palm Coast Lions Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with a banquet at Nicklaus Grill in the Grand Haven Golf Club on Nov. 18 at 5:00 PM. The public is invited and tickets can be purchased for $35 per person. The banquet will feature food, drink, a speaker, awards and a silent auction. Contact Nina Guiglotto at 845-531-1673 for more details.
Throughout their 50 years in Palm Coast, the Lions Club has served the community through various charitable projects.
The club has teamed up with the Early Learning Coalition to offer free vision screenings in child care centers beginning next month. The screenings will help with early identification of children with vision issues.
Vision screenings will also be offered at the club’s booth at the Active After 50 Expo in Palm Coast on Nov. 4.
Beyond vision screenings, the club provides financial assistance to those who cannot afford to treat vision or hearing issues, and they participate in a recycling program for eyeglasses. Drop- off boxes for gently used eyeglasses are located at Flagler County Public Library and Lohman Funeral Home on Palm Coast Parkway.
The Lions Club also provides volunteer opportunities for local youth through their Leo Program. Both Flagler Palm Coast High School and Matanzas High School participate in the Leo Program, which allows students to earn volunteer hours by helping the Lions Club.
Each year, the Lions Club awards a $1,000 college scholarship to a local student. Typically, the scholarship is awarded to a Leo who is active in the group.
With the holidays fast approaching, the Club is offering the official 2023 White House Christmas Ornaments for sale to the public. The ornaments are $25 each and can be purchased directly from the club. Proceeds from the ornament sales are split between the local Lions Club charity and the White House Historical Society.