The LEAP Ambassadors were founded on the same principles that animate many community organizations, so it was a pleasure to be invited to the Lions Club meeting last week.
It was an event we looked forward to, and one made all the more special when we learned that Michelle Spencer of Walker County Boys & Girls Club was the guest speaker!
We had a chance to meet the Lions new President, Julie Hill, who presided over her first meeting.
We also had a chance to see old friends, such as Dottie Fulton, Greg Smith, Casey Spencer, Brian Blalock, Glenn Schumacher, Gaye Clements, and Brenda Poe. In fact, it was Ms. Poe who invited, a thanks for participating in their “Flag Project,” which we are happy to do.
Although we know much about the Walker County Boys & Girls Club, we learned more with the opportunity to hear from Ms. Spencer.
It was gratifying to hear again of the hundreds of children, K-12, who benefit from the non-profit’s organizations; but we also learned more about their adult literacy programs.
Of course, we knew of their ESL classes, because we partner with them on our Citizenship Program; but we also learned about their efforts to help local residents obtain their GED.
In fact, we learned that, with their instruction and classes, students aged 16-67 have obtained that distinction!
We also learned of their upcoming Oktoberfest Bingo, which takes place on Saturday, October 12, 2024 from 6-10pm. Programs such as these are not only great fun, but the money raised supports a great cause, and donations and grants provide the large majority of the Boys & Girls Club annual budget, so participation is much needed.
In fact, we pondered ways we might be able to help, a matter to be addressed at LEAP’s next annual meeting.
We were grateful for the invitation to attend the Lions Club meeting, another golden opportunity for us to see the community in action.
Organizations such as the Lions Club support important causes globally, provide key programming locally, and help connect components of the community that foster collaboration–and these actions, in turn, produce stronger communities. It was a pleasure to be part of it for the day.
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