We Serve

Over the last 5 years, the Tri-Village Lions have distributed more than 23,000 books to children and adults in the Columbus area who, too often, have never had a book all their own.  Most of the books went to schoolchildren in our give-a-book, get-a-book program, but we also distributed through local food pantries and homeless shelters. 

Speaking of food pantries, three times a year we collect nonperishable foods items and cash to be donated to local food pantries.  In the past two years alone, we have contributed the equivalent of 2800 lbs of food which translates to 11,000+ meals. 

And speaking of MEALS, twice a year we visit the YWCA Family shelter on the east side and serve a healthy meal to the 150-200 children and adults in residence at any give time. 

In November, we hold our Give Your WRITE Arm to a Soldier campaign.  We collect letters from the community, and particularly from local school children, to be distributed to active duty military personnel overseas.  Over the last 3 years, we have sent more than 3200 letters to Operation Gratitude, a USO organization who distributes them with care packages. 

We regularly contribute money and energy to the Boulevard Presbyterian Church as they prepare and distribute Holiday food baskets for more than 400 needy families across the city. 

In addition to our annual visit to Santa’s Workshop, in 2017, we followed up with a visit to the Easter Bunny.  Again, we took stuffed animals to meet the Bunny – but this time we “came home” not only with a photo album to commemorate the visit, but an Easter basket full of decorated plastic Easter Eggs, to be distributed to 40 children at the Ronald McDonald House, and 20 more at Children’s Hospital, who weren’t well enough to go on their own Easter Egg Hunts that year. 

Sometimes we put in our service hours helping other, smaller Lions Clubs in carrying out their activities.  Sometimes we join with other organizations to further their service agendas.  For example, for several years we helped out the Upper Arlington Commission on the Aging by doing yard work and outdoor repairs for Upper Arlington seniors.  We’ve helped out at Special Olympics events, joined other Lions throughout the district to create a sensory garden at the Ohio State School for the Blind, and every year we ring the bell for the Salvation Army. 

Our newest service initiative is just getting started. Last year, Lions Club International declared war on Diabetes, the silent killer that has become a world-wide epidemic.  The Tri-Village Lions have stepped up to meet the challenge by learning how to do diabetes screening, and holding screening events at half a dozen locations over the last year – with many more to come. 

But no rundown on service by the numbers would be complete without our most spectacular number.  Since 1925, the Lions have been known as the Knights of the Blind, and the Tri-Village Lions have been doing our part.  Every year, students at Ohio 

State University’s School of Optometry carry out mission trips to third world countries, fitting out hundreds of people who would not otherwise have access to eyeglasses.  And where do they get the eyeglasses, you ask?  From Lions all over Central Ohio… and nobody does it better than the Tri-Village Lions!  Last year, we collected and donated more than 8,000 pair of gently used eyeglasses for redistribution. 

More than 50 years ago, Lions Club International adopted a motto for Lions worldwide – WE SERVE.  The Tri-Village Lions have done our part in direct service, but sometimes we serve by supporting the efforts of others.

The Tri-Village Lions have had a busy start to the new program year, from a successful membership outreach event in late September, to fundraising activities (Grandview Ox-Roast and annual White Cane Sale), to our service activities (helping out at the USA/Canada Forum, preparation for book giveaways, eyeglass collection, and more).   Looking ahead to the coming months, our service agenda takes center stage, along with our philanthropy.  Here is a picture of PCC Lion Jay Gray, accepting yet-another donation for Pilot Dogs from President Lion Nancy Morrison. The Tri-Village Lions have a proud history of support for the Pilot Dogs organization, having given more money than any other single Lions Club over the last 50+ years.that you are meeting?

The Tri-Village Lions are determined to help spread the word about Juvenile Myositis, and to raise money for research that will help children with this potentially devastating autoimmune disorder. You can read all about our campaign here - http://tinyurl.com/TeamSydney-TriVillageNews Like our page and follow our journey as we post each week to tell you more of Sydney's story and how our campaign is progressing.that you are meeting?