As the advisor for the STEP for a Better World Leo Club in New Jersey, USA, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of community service. Our group was first established in 2013 with a goal of completing service in our community and proudly became a Leo club in 2019 through sponsorship by the West Windsor Lions Club. Over the last decade, we’ve grown from a small group of dedicated volunteers to a thriving community of over 150 Leos.
When I think of service to the community, it’s important to remember that the goal is to selflessly serve, as there is a ripple effect of kindness and empowerment. Serving is not about credit; it’s about what you can do for your community and how you can shape the world into a better place for us and for future generations.
Reflecting on my journey in STEP for over the past 11 years has shaped my life throughout middle school, high school, college and beyond. I’m a recent college graduate and between my full-time work as a paralegal and preparing for law school, I continue to volunteer on a weekly basis to serve my community. This journey of community service started in middle school, and today, I’m proud to be a Lion and empower youth as a Leo club advisor. The skills and experiences gained through volunteering have been invaluable, showing me the value of selfless service and the widespread influence of kindness.
There is no more rewarding experience than helping those in need, whether they are individuals in our community or outside our community. From my experience as a Lion and mentoring Leos, here are strategies on how you can empower those in your community to help others.
The Power of Collaboration
My journey demonstrates that we are stronger together. By reaching out to other Leo and Lions clubs, as well as businesses and community members, our club has achieved remarkable results. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our Leo club collaborated with a Lions club in India to provide essential medical supplies, such as oxygen concentrators. The success of this project taught me that, as a Leo club, we should focus on collaboration in our local community, across the country and even internationally. As a global humanitarian organization and as leaders, it is up to us to harness the power of collective action to address pressing community needs, inspire change and create lasting impacts.
Our Leos partner with other organizations to increase the impact of our service. We partnered with organizations like Rise Against Hunger and U.S. Hunger to combat food insecurity, packaging over 500,000 meals in the past three years. Last year, our annual book drive collected 4,323 books in 19 days to help irrigate book deserts across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Within a week, we collected 1,687 new toiletry items and 900 stuffed animals for Lebanon to be dispersed at a pop-up medical clinic run by volunteers.
Collaborating with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve since 2017, our toy drive collects hundreds of new toys each year. This annual initiative is one that our Leos take great joy in, as it allows them to give back to children in need, just like themselves. From various collection drives—such as clothing, food, back-to-school supplies, glasses, shoes and more—to service projects like meal distributions, tree planting, park clean ups and educating our community through public service announcement videos, youth from elementary school to college and grad school graduates have come together to make a difference.
Expanding Our Horizons at Lions Day with the United Nations
Our club has had the wonderful experience of attending Lions Day with the United Nations (LDUN) in New York for the past four years. It has been an incredible opportunity to witness firsthand the impact Leos and Lions create. This event allows us to connect with other Leos and Lions, network about our service and interact with like-minded service individuals not only in our state or even country, but across the globe.
I had the opportunity to be a speaker at LDUN this past March and share my journey through volunteerism and its impact on me. Addressing a crowd of nearly 400 people, including Leos, Lions, Lions International executive officers and United Nations dignitaries, I spoke about the difference we create when we give back to the community.
Through this opportunity, I not only shared my journey through volunteerism on an amazing platform but was able to speak up about the differences we all create when we give back to the community. It’s important to understand that everyone has different abilities, whether it’s time, financial resources, access or other means. However, there is no more rewarding experience than helping those in need. By attending events like LDUN where we can share our service and connect with others, we can inspire others to join our mission and create a brighter future.
Beyond Volunteer Hours
Volunteering should be more than just accumulating hours for college applications, résumé building or awards. It’s about creating lasting impact and fostering personal growth. Our Leo club’s projects range from distributing backpacks filled with school supplies to garden restorations, planting trees and providing menstrual products to those in need. Our weekly work with individuals with special needs through Special Olympics and our participation in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) walks have further united us in our shared goals and inspire us to reach greater heights. We have Leos serve on the Multiple District 16 Board, which additionally helps enhance leadership and further serve our communities by engaging in other Lions and Leo club events around us.
These initiatives not only serve the community but also inspire our members to always think creatively about how they can make a difference.
Looking Forward
As we continue to grow and expand our reach, we remain committed to our core mission of empowering communities through service. We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference, regardless of their interests or background. By fostering collaboration and encouraging innovation, we can create a better world for current and future generations.
So remember, the greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it. I challenge you: What can you do for your community? How can you step up and make a difference?
Learn more about Leo clubs at Lions International and how your club can get involved with exciting service opportunities like Lions Day with the United Nations.
Jessica Shah is the Leo club advisor for the STEP for a Better World Leo Club in New Jersey, USA, and the Reading Action Program chairperson for Multiple District 16. She is a recent college graduate working in the legal field, has mentored Leos for the past 10 years and volunteers regularly in her community.
