Members of the Royalton Hills Lions and the North Royalton Lions celebrated the 100th anniversary of Ohio Lions Clubs with the thing they do best – provide service to others.
Originally, the centennial celebration honoring 100 years since the formation of the first Lions Club in Ohio, was to be marked at the Lions Statewide Convention on May 17 in Columbus, but plans were canceled due to COVID-19. Staying true to their motto, “We Serve,” members of Lions Clubs throughout Ohio turned May 17 into a statewide day of service. Members performed service projects unique to their specific regions and communities in Ohio. In North Royalton, the chapters chose to parade at two assisted living facilities in Brecksville, The Oaks and The Jennings.
Donned in face masks and practicing safe distancing, members paraded outside the nursing facilities holding up signs of encouragement and positive messaging for residents to see. Members also delivered homemade bakery to employees.
Josie Prokop, a member of Royalton Hills Lions Club and a District Governor responsible for 55 clubs in Ohio, said members in clubs across the state are planning creative ways to perform service work and stay connected during the pandemic.
“Our meetings now are geared more toward whom we can contact to help make things better,” Prokop said. “Some clubs are doing things like reading stories online to children, sitting on their cars in parking lots for a safe group children’s read, doing calling trees checking in on residents, holding parades, serving lunch to first responders, picking up debris along roadways, painting local parks and contacting their local governments to see where they can be of service.”
Recognized as the largest service organization in the world, Lions Clubs are most known for their work helping the blind and visually impaired. Other causes have been officially added over the years including services to stop hunger, help the environment and advocate for those with diabetes and childhood cancers. Ohio has more than 400 clubs.
Prokop and Lions throughout the state are holding regular Zoom video meetings with one another to discuss and coordinate. Members are also being approached by people simply looking to help out in their communities.
“We’re really open to filling the need and lately we’ve been discussing what others are doing and how we can help one another in sharing ideas,” Prokop said. “People who have never thought about doing service work are now realizing that they can make a difference too. I’ve had people reach out to me asking how they can help and how they can be a part of planning an initiative.”
North Royalton’s Lions Clubs traditionally host large fundraisers over the spring and summer months, like pancake breakfasts, raffles, golf outings and the beloved Olde Timers Banquet coordinated by the Royalton Hills Lions. Ideas are being discussed on how to make the events safe and still happen, such as offering drive-thru services for an upcoming pancake breakfast honoring active and retired military personnel.
“Everyone enjoys it so much,” Prokop said of the annual Olde Timers Banquet that recognizes those residents age 70 years and older and who have lived in the community for 30 years. “We keep thinking if there’s something else we can do there to still make the event happen.”
As they say, where there’s a will, there’s a way, and local members, in step with their fellow Lion prides across the state, will definitely find a way.
By SARA MACHO HILL
Contributing Writer
