The Eagle Grove chapter of the Lions Club held its annual "Spaghetti Dinner" fundraiser Sunday at Memorial Hall. Roughly 100 people attended, according to club estimates. A good time was reportedly had by all.
The Lions Club was founded in 1917 by a 38-year-old Chicago businessman named Melvin Jones. But it was seven years later, at their first international convention, when the Lions were charged with their most enduring mission, when none other than Helen Keller, groundbreaking activist for the disabled, challenged them to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness". Lions clubs around the world have since been renowned for helping people in need with their eyesight.
But the Lions club has expanded its missions significantly, now working to serve communities in any way necessary, with multiple "focus areas", Lions clubs have added youth services, disaster relief, community humanitarian efforts, fighting diabetes globally, fighting childhood cancer, protecting the environment, and combating hunger to their long standing battle against blindness.
"Lions serve," declares their mission statement. "It’s that simple, and it has been since we first began in 1917. Our clubs are places where individuals join together to give their valuable time and effort to improving their communities, and the world."
Well, our local Lions sure seem to have found a way to fight hunger, while raising money to fight blindness and everything else they're taking on.
New members are always welcome at the Lions Club, which meets the 4th Tuesday of each month at the community food pantry at (510 S. Jackson). Meetings are typically held at 6:00 PM.
Email news@eaglegroveeagle.com with your news tips, corrections, and suggestions.
