The Willoughby Hills Lions Club is back and better than ever before
By Patricia Nugent
In 1925, Helen Keller was the keynote speaker at a Lions Club International Foundation Convention at Cedar Point and charged the group to “be the knights for those with vision loss and hearing loss.”
Her words led to the civic club adopting that as its main platform, living up to the motto, “We serve.”
The momentum is alive and well today with the Willoughby Hills Lions Club.
“This is a wonderful charity for many reasons, most of which is there are no administrative fees. We give back 100% of what we take in,” says Club President Lion Angie Tyler, who notes the Lions Club is the world’s largest service organization, with active clubs in 253 countries. It was founded in 1917.
Along with husband and Past District Governor Mike, she was involved with the group back in the 1990s. It disbanded last year, and they formed a new club along with 44 members earlier this year.
Much-Needed Help
“Our focus is on collecting and refurbishing glasses and hearing aids for people who cannot afford them and funding pediatric cancer research,” says Mike, who is currently Secretary for the club. He tells a heartwarming story of his first impression of the Lions.
“My next-door neighbor Bob Harrold noticed I was good with computers and asked me to help him set up a special reader to expand the letters so a visually impaired girl could read at home instead of at school,” he recalls. “After we set it up for her, she was so thankful because that meant she could go out and play instead of having to walk home 3 miles. That really touched me.”
Throughout the year, the Lions throw fundraisers, such as the White Cane Walk, to fund their efforts.
“Along with our grown daughters, Cassandra and Lauren, our family has always been community-minded,” Angie says. “We love to give back. With monthly meetings, members can make as much a time commitment as they like. We understand how busy people are today.”
Wherever There’s a Need
In addition to caring for those with vision and hearing loss, the couple reports the Lions are also the first to show up and help those in cases of catastrophic disaster, such as the East Palestine explosion.
Another area of effort lies with protecting the environment, and the club is collecting plastic that can’t be recycled and having it refashioned into a park bench.
“Wherever there’s a need, there’s a lion,” she says. “Hunger is another cause we address, working at the Cleveland Food Bank.”
Since diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, the couple has also served at Camp Ho Mita Koda summer camp for kids with Type 1 diabetes.
Are You a Fit?
“Our members are all ages, from young families to seniors,” says Angie. “If you’re looking for a great way to support the community while making friendships and building your leadership skills, we’re a great fit.”
She adds the club is throwing its first formal fundraiser by working a 50-50 raffle at the Guardians game on Saturday, August 24. Since founding the club, she reports they’ve already collected more than 1,000 glasses to give those in need.
“We also focus on sight conservation, providing pilot dogs and leader dogs,” he says.
Willoughby Hills Lions Club meets the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. August 20 is the next meeting, at the Willoughby Hills Community Center, Lions Room, lower level. Do you have used glasses to donate? Go to their site at Willoughby Hills Lions Club at E-ClubHouse.org for a list of drop-off places, including Willoughby Hills Public Library and Willoughby Hills Community Center.