Lions in the Headlines

Is Your Club Making News?

Whether a community project or a global effort, Lions are regularly in the news. Below are some recent examples of media coverage.

Lions Clubs International is always looking for Lions in the headlines. Please e-mail us the story or a description of the coverage you received so we can share your media exposure with other clubs. We regret that due to copyright laws we are unable to reproduce the story.

• Sheboygan Press (Wisconsin, USA) October 15, 2009 – VFW Post 9156 gave Lions in Sheboygan a helping hand by collecting more than 20,000 eyeglasses for the club.
   
• Keyser Mineral Daily Tribune (West Virginia, USA) October 14, 2009 – Local missionaries will bring 1,000 pairs of sunglasses to Haiti with them on their next trip, courtesy of the Keyser Lions Club.
   
• Daily Sentinel (Ohio, USA) October 11, 2009 – Pomeroy Lions hit the streets to post flags in the community for Columbus Day as part of their 50-year patriotic tradition.
   
• Leesville Daily Leader (Louisiana, USA) October 8, 2009 – Leesville Lions tighten their bootstraps in preparation of hosting their 60th annual rodeo event. The club's event has raised more than $600,000 for Louisiana Lions Camp through its history.
   
• New Richmond News (Wisconsin, USA) October 4, 2009 – Roberts Lions held their annual "Run What Ya Brung" truck and tractor pull to raise funds for the purchase of food to donate to the local food shelf.

• Journal Live (Morpeth, England) September 29, 2009 – Morpeth Lions, who lead the relief efforts after severe flooding in Morpeth last year, have been nominated for the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. The club's appeal fund raised 208,000 Euro in emergency financial help for flooded families.
  
  
• Battle Creek Enquirer (Michigan, USA) September 22, 2009 – Lions in district 11-B1 are gearing up to sponsor their first annual Lions Roar motorcycle run to build homes for disabled people in the community. The home-building effort is part of a partnership with Habitat for Humanity, which began in August 2008.

• Stabroek News (Guyana) September 18, 2009 – West Berbice Lions helped locals in need by donating hampers of clothes. The club continues to hold eye clinics around West Berbice, and donated two electric irons to Fort Wellington Hospital.

• District 4-C6 blog (California, USA) September 15, 2009 – District 4-C6 Lions get ready to host their 19th annual Lions In Sight Charity Golf Tournament in September, which features rounds of golf, dinner, prizes and more.

• The Inquirer (Liberia) September 12, 2009 – Greater Monrovia Lions are working hard to sponsor the Cape Mesurado Lions Club.

• 2NM (Australia) September 8, 2009 – Aberdeen Lions continue to collect donations of buffalo grass to beautify and environmentally enrich the Aberdeen community center.

• Blacktown Sun (Sydney, Australia) September 4, 2009 – Langley Lions gave a helping hand in the form of a donation of $2,000 for the A Concert For Life fundraising tally. The club visited the Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research, the fund's beneficiary, last week to meet with hospital officials and tour the facility.

• Ararat Advertiser (Fairfax, Australia) August 29, 2009 – Ararat Lion Norm Tosch was recognized by fellow Lions at an installation dinner in Geelong for his tireless work as a zone chairperson on behalf of the clubs he represented.

• Newsday (New York, USA) August 23, 2009 – Huntington Lions prepare to honor Councilman Mark Cuthbertson for his years of service to the community at the club's annual charity golf outing.

• Hounslow Chronicle (Hounslow, UK) August 17, 2009 – Osterley Lions and other participating clubs have sent two disabled teenagers off for a vacation to Disney World in Florida for a two-week holiday trip. Both suffer from an as-yet undefined neurological brain disease.

• The News Shopper (Biggin Hill, UK) August 12, 2009 – Biggin Hill Lions celebrated the successful collection of more than 100 boxes filled with shoes, toys and books which are being shipped to victims in Belarus still affected by the Chernobyl disaster.

• Henley Standard (Henley, UK) August 10, 2009 – Henley Lions gave the Sue Ryder Hospice a helping hand with a 2,000 Euro donation as part of their aid to charities in the area.

• The Sun Journal (Maine, USA) August 10, 2009 – New Portland Lions get ready to host the 77th annual Agricultural Fair, which features animals, ATV pulls, food, games and music. The fair raises funds for the club's charitable efforts, which include the distribution of fruit baskets to the elderly at Christmas.

• Indianapolis Star (Indiana, USA) August 6, 2009 – Washington Township Lions hope to sell 25,000 ears of corn over the next two weeks at the Indiana State Fair.

• Peninsula Gateway (Washington, USA) August 6, 2009 – Gig Harbor Lions prepare to roast retired Army colonel and fellow Lion Arch Carpenter, a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict. Carpenter is one of roughly 200 veterans nationwide to have served in all three engagements.

• Seguin Gazette-Enterprise (Texas, USA) August 4, 2009 – Sunset Lions raised more than $2,500 in their annual Stuff The Bus fundraiser to collect funds for school supplies for needy children.

• Webster-Kirkwood Times (Missouri, USA) August 4, 2009 – Kirkwood Lions and village officials dedicated the new Lions Pavilion at Kirkwood Park. The event capped off the nine-month-long renovation of the original Lions pavilion, built in 1946.

• Escanaba Daily Press (Michigan, USA) July 31, 2009 – Members of the Lions of Michigan All-State Band described their experiences performing at the 92nd annual international convention and at the Minnesota Twins/New York Yankees baseball game.

• Motorsport.com (Australia) July 30, 2009 – Marysville and District Lions are the recipients of more than US $23,000 for Victorian bushfire aide from the Confederation of Australian Motorsports. The funds will be used to support the club's catering vans, which operate as fully-equipped kitchens to provide meals for victims of the fire.

• Amherstburg Echo (Ontario, Canada) July 30, 2009 – Amherstburg Lions have given US$500 to the family of five-year-old Emily Beauchamp, a young girl with Spina Bifida who was recently diagnosed with Amblyopia. The funds will help pay for vision therapy.

• Cay Compass (Cayman Islands) July 22, 2009 – Lions in Grand Cayman focused their managerial skills at a leadership workshop that explored a list of "best practices" for incoming presidents and vice presidents.

• Wicked Local Abington (Massachusetts, USA) July 20, 2009 – Abington and Rockland Lions prepare for their cooperative Lions Eyes Ride for Sight motorcycle ride project. The 50-mile ride will feature food, raffles and live entertainment at its conclusion.

• Northumberland Independent (Ontario, Canada) July 17, 2009 – Cyclist Ming-Jiing Hsieh is stopping at lions clubs across Canada during his cross-country fundraising trip through the country to raise funds for World Vision.

• Ledger Independent (Kentucky, USA) July 14, 2009 – Tollesboro Lions have used more than $200,000 to improve their community fairground with the addition of a 24-foot sign, elevated aluminum bleachers and a new pair of restroom facilities to count among the improvements.

• Happyvalleyoregon Blog (Oregon, USA) July 12, 2009 – West Linn Lions have started registering children for their annual Safe Boating for Kids program at Willamette Park. The program, open for children ages 6 to 15, includes a water safety training section conducted by the coast guard. Entrants also received free rides on a ski-jumping boat, and antique boat and a sheriff's marine boat.

• Minneapolis Star Tribune (Minnesota, USA) July 5, 2009 – The truest measure of a nation: People and organizations are answering the president's call to volunteer – such as Lions Club International, meeting in Minneapolis this week. Read article.

• Shreveport Times (Louisiana, USA) June 19, 2009 – Natchitoches Lions showed support for Natchitoches youth in presenting the Northwestern State University Foundation with a $10,000 check to establish the Natchitoches Lions Club Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial help to a qualified student attending the university.

• Grant Tribune Sentinel (Nebraska, USA) June 18, 2009 – Wallace Community Lions received a helping hand with assistance funds from the Nebraska Lions Foundation for Matt and Kassie Pelster, whose son, Blake, is in need of ongoing medical care. The club also helped organize a "Peaches for Pelster" fundraiser this year.

• Rockford Independent (Michigan, USA) June 17, 2009 – Rockford Lions presented long-time member Nancee DeVogel with a Melvin Jones Fellowship. DeVogel has been instrumental in serving as a liason between the Lions of Michigan and Welcome Homes, a home haven for the elderly with visual impairments.

• WSAZ Channel 3 (West Virginia, USA) June 15, 2009 – South Charleston Lions named SCHS high school principal Mike Arbogast as their citizen of the year for his efforts in having the school work with local civic clubs in the community.

• The Courier-News (Illinois, USA) June 10, 2009 – Elgin Lions recognized retired attorney and judge Hon. James A. Connelly, a recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship. 

• Eagle Newspapers (New York, USA) June 9, 2009 – Cazenovia Lions kicked off their 4th annual Duck Race. Funds from race support the club's scholarship program, which recognizes graduating high school seniors who exemplify outstanding community service.

• The Daily Breeze (California, USA) June 7, 2009 – San Pedro Lions get ready to honor environmentalists Steve and Florence Kleinjan as their Humanitarians Of The Year. The couple organized Clean San Pedro in 2002, an annual event in which 30 volunteers pick up litter, pull weeds and remove graffiti in downtown San Pedro.

• Porterville Recorder (California, USA) June 5, 2009 – Porterville Breakfast Lions hosted their 25th annual Sober Grad Night at the Porterville Fairgrounds, where members welcomed Monache High School graduates a fun-filled evening of laser tag, volleyball, dancing and a rock-climbing wall.

• Formby Times (Formby, UK) June 3, 2009 – Award-winning Elvis impersonator Steve Caprice will headline an entertainment fundraiser show inside the Newburgh Fair Marquee to benefit the Douglas Valley Lions Club. The club's fundraiser will kick off the Newburgh Fair, which features a theme parade, carnival and game booths.

• Herald Times (Indiana, USA) June 2, 2009 – Indian Creek Lions donated more than 100 dictionaries (one for each student) to third-graders at Highland Park Elementary School.

• Marlborough Enterprise (Massachusetts, USA) May 28, 2009 – Marlborough Lions get ready to host their Amazing Marlborough Race, a take-off of the popular CBS-TV show which follows teams of competitors on a race around the world. The club has set up stages with activity challenges throughout Marlborough where competitors must perform a given task to advance through the next leg of the race.

• Utica Observer Dispatch (New York, USA) May 26, 2009 – Morrisville Lions helped install two fire pits and put a new roof on the boat house at Camp Lookout, a county-administered children's camp. The activities were part of the club's 50th anniversary celebration.

• Arnprior Chronicle (Ontario, Canada) May 25, 2009 – Arnprior Lions are teaming up with a local agricultural society to revive its popular Canada Day Classic Vehicle show. The event's previous successes forced it to move because it outgrew its venue, and is now scheduled to take place at the Arnprior fairgrounds.

• Greeley Tribune (Oklahoma, USA) May 23, 2009 – Briggsdale Lions collected, repainted and reset crosses and grave markers in a cemetery north of Briggsdale as part of the club's annual tradition of tending to the lot over Memorial Day weekend.

• Thomasville Times (Alabama, USA) May 18, 2009 – Lions prepare to host their third annual Mack Outlaw East-West All-Star high school baseball game, featuring some of the area's best young players.

• The Southtown Star (Illinois, USA) May 15, 2009 – Burbank Lions gave a helping hand to the Prairie Trails Public Library with the donation of a closed circuit television and BookReader. The club has a history of supporting the library for more than 20 years.

• Kanata Kourier Standard (Ontario, Canada) May 12, 2009 – Kanata Lions lead the way in a province-wide effort to fit area children with medic alert bracelets in case of emergency. The club is sponsoring St. Martin de Porres School and has already pledged $1,500 Canadian dollars.

• The News Shopper (Biggin Hill, UK) May 10, 2009 – Biggin Hill and Westerham Lions are administering a program encouraging community members to fill shoe boxes with goods for disadvantaged families in Belarus. The club is asking donors to make boxes specifically for either a boy or a girl, or a mother and father. Donations are being sent to the region of Gomel, an area that suffered radiation fallout following the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine in 1986.

• Pittsburg Morning Sun (Kansas, USA) May 9, 2009 – Pittsburg Lions and Habitat for Humanity teamed up for a garage sale. Funds from the sale will be split between the club and Habitat for Humanity. Pittsburg Lions serve community residents with eye and hearing care needs.

• Villages Daily Sun (Florida, USA) May 6, 2009 – Lake Sumter Lions are using hometown pride to raise funds by selling throws decorated with scenes from The Villages.

• The Longmont Times-Call (Colorado, USA) May 4, 2009 – Columbine Lions hosted a vision screening at the local Moose Lodge. Screening was free for children ages three to five.

• Marshall News Messenger (Texas, USA) May 1, 2009 – Waskom Lions are beginning to plan how to top last year's 4th of July Extravaganza at Waskom City Park. The club sold food and refreshments and organized a lineup of entertainers last year for the celebration.

• Long Beach Press-Telegram (California, USA) April 30, 2009 – Bellflower Lions get their engines revving by taking over responsibility for hosting the 11th annual Bellflower Boulevard Car Show. The event draws 400 show vehicles and thousands of spectators, and the club is seeking sponsors to raise funds to put toward the $18,000 budget for the show.

• Ballina Advocate (New South Wales, Australia) April 24, 2009 – Ballina Lions will get some support during their fun run from a team formed of members from the Lismore Surf Life Saving Club. As benefactors of the fundraiser – which expects more than 800 people – surf club members will run in full lifesaving gear.

• Sioux Falls Argus Leader (South Dakota, USA) April 22, 2009 – Sioux Falls Downtown Lions get their spatulas ready to flip about 60,000 pancakes during their annual Pancake Days event. Club members raised nearly $100,000 with the event last year, and dedicated $65,000 to Lions eyesight, service and youth programs.

• Lufkin Daily News (Texas, USA) April 22, 2009 – Lufkin Host Lions prepare for their volunteer staff duties for the Angelina Benefit Rodeo at the Henderson Expo Center, for which organizers have sold a record number of tickets. Proceeds from the rodeo go to the Lufkin State School and the American Cancer Society. The rodeo's purse of $90,000 makes it one of the top 50 rodeos in the nation.

• Pioneer Press (Illinois, USA) April 21, 2009 – Lake Zurich Lions are set to tear down the now-vacated Ela Township Hall to replace it with a parking lot, basketball court, landscaping and a brick fence. In exchange for their efforts and upkeep, the club will have use of the area for its events, including Alpine Fest and the club's car show.

• Lexington Dispatch (North Carolina, USA) April 17, 2009 – Lexington Downtown Lions pull into the parking lot of the local WalMart to provide free vision screenings on the 21st Century Vision Van. Later, the Arcadia Lions take the van for a spin to the Hickory Tree Crossing Shopping Center on Saturday for their own set of screenings.

• Clinton News (Mississippi, USA) April 16, 2009 – Clinton Lions will lure Clintonians into Hillman-Berry Lions Club park this weekend with the tasty goodness of their barbequed chicken fundraiser. The fundraiser supports the club's vision and diabetes projects.

• Portage Daily Graphic (Manitoba, Canada) April 13, 2009 – Lions Clubs of western Manitoba are united in an effort to provide children ages four to 14 with Medic Alert bracelets at no cost to their parents.

• Palladium Item (Indiana, USA) April 11, 2009 – Richmond Lions host the club's 57th annual Home Expo at the Wayne County Fairgrounds. The club has added live music entertainment with three bands. Admission is $3, or a donation of a pair of prescription glasses. The club is partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Richmond for the event.

• Anderson Valley Post (California, USA) April 9, 2009 – Anderson Lions get ready to host their annual Easter egg hunt.

• Littlehampton Gazette (Littlehampton, UK) April 8, 2009 – Crawley Lions get ready to seek out prospective members at the bandstand in Queens Square.

• The Review (Ohio, USA) April 6, 2009 – Calcutta Lions hosted a rabies prevention clinic at the Lions Pavilion, vaccinating approximately 140 dogs and cats. The activity was in response to an increase in the number of reported rabies cases in Columbiana County.

• The Desert Valley Times (Utah, USA) March 29, 2009 – St. George Lions are busy preparing to present the Dixie Downs Races – now in its 40th year. The club is awarding a purse of more than $31,000 to finalist in the futurity division.

• Mesquite Local News (Nevada, USA) March 26, 2009 – Mesquite Lions continue to sell tickets for their 50/50 raffle – the club's largest annual fundraiser.

• Allentown Examiner (New Jersey, USA) March 26, 2009 – The operations of the New Jersey Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center are documented in a story about the association's battle to end preventable blindness. The center handles about 500,000 pairs of used eyeglasses every year.

• Trenton Republican Times (Missouri, USA) March 26, 2009 – Trenton Lions committed $100 to supporting the new Green Hills Animal Shelter.

• Oxford Press (Ohio, USA) March 23, 2009 – Oxford Lions prepare to host a fine art exhibition and auction at a local hotel. Funds from the event will be used in the club's sight-saving efforts, on which they spent more than $18,000 in the past year.

• Fayetteville Observer (North Carolina, USA) March 21, 2009 – Reporter Kim Hasty details the travels of Second Vice President Sid Scruggs, including his recent aid visit to Australia to survey the damage caused by wildfires.

• Allentown Morning Call (Pennsylvania, USA) March 17, 2009 – Easton Lions prepare to host the 29th annual Easton Lions Club Wrestling Classic, which will welcome Pennsylvania state champions Brandon Palik and Evan Yenolevich.

• Charleston Daily Mail (West Virginia, USA) March 16, 2009 – Golden Dome Lion Jim McMillion raised $2,447 for the American Diabetes Association for research and education programs, earning him the right to kiss a pig at the LaBelle theater in South Charleston. Jethro, the lucky piglet, was honored to symbolize the role of pigs as providers of the first source of insulin in 1921.

• Wakulla.com (Florida, USA) March 10, 2009 – Crawfordsville Lions participated in the second annual "Read Across America" by reading Dr. Seuss books to classes at Crawfordville Elementary School.

• Philippine Information Agency (Manila, Philippines) March 8, 2009 – Negros Occidental Lions in La Carlota City in the Philippines hosted a sight clinic for more than 600 patients. The club offered free eye examinations and cataract operations, and distributed free eyeglasses to those in need.

• PR.com (New York, USA) March 5, 2009 – Thornton Lions in Colorado have partnered with Star Wars enthusiast Don Frisque to host a Star Wars Extravaganza show to raise funds for the club's service activities. Frisque, the owner of the largest Star Wars memorabilia collection in the state of Colorado, will have his collection on display. The event will include merchandise for sale, pictures with Star Wars characters, concessions, and a parade.

• Montclair Oak Blog (California, USA) March 3, 2009 – Montclair Lions and the village are teaming up to host a spring Montclair Restaurant Walk. The event will feature coupon books for sale for $25 that feature the offerings of each of 21 local businesses on the walk.

• Modesto Bee (California, USA) March 2, 2009 – Ceres Lions and the Ceres Youth Commission teamed to fight tough economic times by giving out 150 meals and 15 family baskets containing coats and blankets to needy families in the Ceres area.

• Quad Community Press Publications (Minnesota, USA) February 25, 2009 – More than 1,200 participants enjoyed warmer temperatures this year for the 27th annual Centerville Lions Club ice fishing contest on Centerville lake. The $5-per-entry contest featured prizes including fishing houses, a gas auger and a children's ATV. The event raised about $6,000.

• The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (Texas, USA) February 23, 2009 – Lubbock Lions shattered the world record for most pancakes produced in eight hours by a team, serving 66.459 pancakes to hungry diners at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. The number bested the previous record of 34,818 set by the Fargo Kiwanis last year as part of a friendly rivalry between the clubs. Texas State Rep. Delwin Jones – a member of the Lions club – plans to introduce a resolution to the legislature this week designating Lubbock as the "Pancake Capital of the World."

• Star Community News Papers (Texas, USA) February 19, 2009 – Little Elm Lions are planning a reception to honor the local winners of the club's drug poster contest at the community center. The club selected 26 finalists from more than 500 entries.

• Woodbury Bulletin (Minnesota, USA) February 18, 2009 – Woodbury Lions donated $5,000 to the Southeast Area YMCA annual Y Partners Campaign--the largest gift received from a local business or service group to date. The YMCA campaign helps provide financial assistance to people of all ages who otherwise could not afford YMCA memberships or programs.

• Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, California) February 16, 2009 – Diamond Bar Breakfast Lions are organizing a multicultural drum concert to raise funds for their children's charities and services. The event is intended to broaden attendees' cultural experiences while involving them in the need to fund youth services that are in danger of being reduced or cut as a result of the current economic woes.

• Otago Daily Times Online (Dunedin, New Zealand) February 13, 2009 – Cromwell Lake Dunstant Lions changed up the sites on their Past to Present historic building tour fundraiser. Some of the properties in the lineup include St Andrew's Anglican Church, built in 1874, the Masonic Lodge and several historic buildings which have now been converted into homes - including the old courthouse, the old firehouse dating back to the 1930s, the St John's Catholic school and the former slaughterhouse known as The Shambles.

• Muskegon Chronicle (Michigan, USA) February 10, 2009 – Greater Muskegon Blue Sky Lions, LCI and the Muskegon city planning commission are exploring the idea of renovating the city's historic fire station into a new central-city youth center.

• Camarillo Acorn (California, USA) February 6, 2009 – Pleasant Valley/Somis Lions put the call out for potential student speakers to participate in their club's speech contest. Entrants can advance to district and state level, where more than $21,000 in scholarship funds is available to winners.

• Jacksonville Daily Progress (Texas, USA) January 29, 2009 – Jacksonville Constable Jack White spoke during a Rusk Lions Club meeting about constabulary duties in Jacksonville, as well as the current law enforcement activities in the city.

• Bognor Today (Bognor, UK) January 29, 2009 – The Bognor Regis Lions annual swimathon gathered 34 teams and 15 organizations to help raise more than 4,000 Euro as part of the event. 100 Euro was given to the Early Learning Centre to purchase digital camera equipment for the center's children.

• The Original Irregular (Maine, USA) January 28, 2009 – Stratton-Eustis Lions prepare to sponsor the 13th annual snow sculpture and lighting decoration contest for the 2009 Polar Blast town festival. Certificates and ribbons will be issued to First, Second and Third place finishers.

• The Republican (Massachusetts, USA) January 28, 2009 – Magdaleena Sorel is credited as a leading volunteer in the community for her seven years of service to the Ware Lions Club. Sorel and Ware Lions are preparing for their 2009 eyeglass drive, with a goal of 2,000 pairs of eyeglasses.

• The Fon du Lac Reporter (Wisconsin, USA) January 27, 2009 – St. Peter Lions prepare to partner with Pick'n' Save grocery to build sub sandwiches for sale to raise funds for the club's activities. The club plans to build two giant subs in preparation of the Super Bowl, but will sell them in six-inch and foot-long sizes--unless party sizes are requested.
• Chicago Tribune, Illinois, January 28, 2009 – A picuture in the Chicago Tribune’s photo gallery shows Former President Jimmy Carter and President Al Brandel cutting the ribbon together to dedicate the “Gift of Sight” statue located at Lions headquarters in Oak Brook.

• The Daily Herald, Illinois, USA, January 28, 2009 – A story highlighting Former President Jimmy Carter’s visit to headquarters to recognize Lions efforts to combat preventable blindness through the dedication of the “Gift of Sight” statue.

• WLS-TV (ABC Affiliate), Chicago, Illinois, USA January 27, 2009 – A news segment featuring Former President Jimmy Carter’s visit to headquarters to dedicate the “Gift of Sight” statue to recognize Lions efforts to combat preventable blindness.

• Pioneer Press, Oak Brook, Illinois, USA, January 27, 2009 – The headquarters of Lions Clubs International was visited by Former President Jimmy Carter to recognize their efforts to fight preventable blindness by dedicating a statue.

• WGN-TV, Chicago, Illinois, January 27, 2009 – A news segment featuring Former President Jimmy Carter’s visit to headquarters to dedicate the “Gift of Sight” statue to recognize Lions efforts to combat preventable blindness.

• Carroll County Times (Maryland, USA) January 26, 2009 – Freedom Lions and Lionesses conducted a vision screening at a Health and Fitness Expo at Century High School in South Carroll.

• Burnham-On-Sea (Somerset, UK) January 25, 2009 – Burnham-on-Sea Lions gave a splash of color to the youth center in town, volunteering the time and supplies to paint the new cafe in the facility before it officially opens.

• Terra Magazine (New York, USA) January 22, 2009 – Lions Clubs International's eyeglass recycling program is touted for putting old glasses to new use in an article about how to recycle everything.

• Bowling Green Daily News (Kentucky, USA) January 20, 2009 – Bowling Green Evening Lions get ready to host their annual bowling tournament at Southern Lanes. Student bowlers have an opportunity to win more than $2,000 in scholarship money, which is put into an escrow account at the college of the student's choice.

• Des Moines Register (Iowa, USA) January 18, 2009 – Indianola High School teacher and Lion Roger Netsch received a Lions outstanding service award from the Breakfast Lions for his work in developing the Service Corps Leo Club at the high school. The Leo Club has about 110 students.

• Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (California, USA) January 16, 2009 – Cucamonga District Host Lions announced plans for their third annual "Sip for Sight" wine tasting and dinner in March. Funds raised during the event will support the Foothill Family Shelter, the Rancho Cucamonga Public Library and the Lions Student Speaker Contest.

• Rensselaer Republican (Indiana, USA) January 15, 2009 – Rensselaer Lions organized two photo vision screening sessions for area youth at six preschools. The club screened 60 children last year.

• Norwich Bulletin (Connecticut, USA) January 12, 2009 – More than 100 people joined incoming president Bill Cheng for the chartering of the Eastern Connecticut Asian and American Lions Club. Cheng hopes the club can help reach out to members of the Asian American community, who may be unaware of the programs available to help them.

• Nashua Telegraph (New Hampshire, USA) January 10, 2009 – Nashua Lions announced they are accepting nominations for the 2009 Teacher of the Year award.

• Daily Journal (South Carolina, USA) January 8, 2009 – Salem Lions donated their 2,000th computer in their fourth year of the computers for kids program. James L. Brown elementary school third-grader James Cannon was the recipient. The club has worked extensively with school counselor Beth Voss to administer the program.

• Whittier Daily News (California, USA) January 6, 2009 – International President Al Brandel accompanied Whittier Host Lions during a tour of the Oralingua School for the Hearing Impaired while in California for Rose Bowl festivities. Brandel complimented Whittier Host Lions for their efforts in helping the school, which included the installation of new playground equipment, specialized padding and canopies, artificial turf, and major renovations in the new Infant Hearing Assessment Center.

• Pittsburghlive.com (Pennsylvania, USA) December 29, 2008 – Level Green Lions decided to celebrate their 60th anniversary and gain a bit of community attention by creating a history of the Level Green community, entitled "Tales of Level Green." Level Green, a village in Penn Township, has about 2,000 residents. It was founded when George McWilliams got a land grant in the late 1700s for 336 acres from William Penn and signed by then Governor Thomas Mifflin. Club member Sam McWilliams, a direct descendant of the town's founder, still owns the original deed – which is written on sheepskin.

• Shelby Source Newspapers (Michigan, USA) December 28, 2008 – Shelby Lions and students from Eisenhower and Romeo high schools teamed up to package and distribute Christmas food baskets to neighbors in need before the holiday. The club distributed 110 baskets to families in Shelby Township.

• Bethany Beach Wave (Delaware, USA) December 23, 2008 – Mount Hermon Lions announce their effort to raise $10,000 from the community for the purchase of vision testing equipment to screen for amblyopia in Wicomico community preschools. The club's effort is part of the national Lions Clubs Preschool Vision Screening program.

• Daily News Transcript (Norwood, MA) December 22, 2008 – Norwood Lion Ed Forsberg is named Walpole Friends of St. Patrick's 2009 Man of the Year for his civic and community efforts.

• Chicago Tribune (Illinois, USA) December 18, 2008 – Lions Clubs International and other service organizations make determined efforts to change their approach to membership recruiting by incorporating meeting flexibility, family activities and event-based participation.

• Joplin Globe (Missouri, USA) December 17, 2008 – Webb City Lions begin the planning phase of hosting a spring festival with the hope of raising funds to beautify main street. The club already has 25 vendors interested in participating.

• Winston-Salem Journal (North Carolina, USA) December 16, 2008 – Twin City Host Lions hosted a holiday banquet for Lions, friends and the visually impaired. The club donates eyeglasses to mission groups providing vision support to underserved communities.

• The Daily Advance (North Carolina, USA) December 12, 2008 – River City Lions provided meals during a holiday party for the visually impaired, which provides an important opportunity for socialization in the rural area.

• SC Now (South Carolina) December 11, 2008 – Florence Lions celebrated 100-year-old member Maxcy Nolan's perfect attendance record since his joining in 1934. At Wednesday's Lions Club meeting, he received letters of congratulations from President George W. Bush, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, Clemson University President James F. Barker and Lions Club International President Al Brandel.

• Alton Telegraph (Illinois, USA) December 9, 2008 – Wood River Lions prepare food and gift baskets for distribution to 80 families for the holidays. The club, celebrating its 76th year, has a history of supporting the Alton community, including building a gazebo and park for its recreation needs.

• Greenwich Time (Connecticut, USA) December 8, 2008 – Alan Gunzburg discusses the accomplishments and community contributions of the Greenwich Lions Club in a letter to the editor.

• Rutland Times (Rutland, UK) December 5, 2008 – Rutland Lions donated funds for a gate for students at Brooke Hill elementary school in Oakham to have direct access to a new 38-acre woodland site named Gorse Field.

• Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Texas, USA) December 3, 2008 – Colleyville Lions are set to flip pancakes during the club's breakfast with Santa Claus to raise funds for the club's service projects.