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By Jesse Winger, Special Reporter for the NavCo Chronicle
Originally founded in 1917 in Dallas, the Lion’s Club found its home in Corsicana a year later (eventually spreading to their worldwide club in 1920). With Helen Keller as the clubs first spokesperson, they advocate for and provide assistance to disabled school-age children. The members have a particular soft spot for these kids to be able to see and enjoy their childhoods. They make sure the kids have their correct prescriptions for glasses and give them a week at their summer camp in south Texas. Each child is ensured an adult to spend the week away from home with them spent playing and socializing with similar children. If the little ones do not have a way to get down to the camp, some members drive and even fly them down to the camp location! The members of the club pride themselves in being a supporter of every charity.
Each meeting features a speaker from one of the said charities to present their workings and any new developments. Most recently, a speaker from Compassion brought to light our community’s shockingly high homeless rates and struggling family statistics. Last year, the North Texas Food Pantry provided 1.2 million pounds of food. This enabled upwards of almost 32,000 members of our overwhelming 20% poverty rate to sustain themselves! The Pantry helps Compassion offer food boxes twice a month with different “levels” such as senior boxes, delivered by DoorDash, and Food for Kids allowing for the 83% of school-age kids that rely on the school to feed them every meal but dinner to continue to be able to eat breakfasts and lunches while school is out at home. Derek from Compassion informed the club about a “community garden idea being planted” in the near future!
The charitable Lions immediately lunged at the chance to volunteer in any way they could. Derek was proud to announce they had about 300 volunteers already, but always welcoming more with open arms. Especially on Tuesdays! You may ask why. “Tuesdays are the exciting day the Pantry sends down truckloads of fresh produce!” Compassion shares. While Compassion is always welcoming new volunteers to help our community, the Lion’s Club follows suit. They are excited to share and pass along their traditions and goals to be continued by younger generations carrying on the service.