The Warren Lioness Club will have a membership drive and open house at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, at the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center, 207 Second Ave. The meeting is open to the public. If you are thinking about joining the Lioness Club, this meeting will be an informative and interesting event.
The Lioness Club is a counterpart of the local Lions Club and has been in existence since 1984. They adopted the motto of "We Serve" and keep this in the forefront of all activities. This dynamic group of approximately 30 women meets the first Monday of each month. Members take turns hosting the meetings by decorating the tables and supplying door prizes. With enthusiasm, they plan for events that will raise money for deserving charities. Members are invited to attend the Lions Club board meetings and attend district conventions.
Club members assist the Lions during their fund-raising activities, including: white cane days, the Christmas Walk weenie wagon and, later, the turkey dinner. The women sponsor tag days at local businesses and hold bake sales during community events. Members can be seen ringing the Salvation Army bells before the holidays. For the past few years, the Lionesses participated in the community coupon days at Bon-Ton.
Article Photos
Warren Lioness Club members Cathy Morse and
Mary Kramer raise money for charitry at a local event
The club accepts donations of prescription glasses, sunglasses and baseball caps. The caps are given to people who have had cataract surgery. To donate these items, take them to Family Medicine. In addition, club members collect pull tabs and plastic bottle caps that are recycled for cash and donated for dialysis treatment. Most recently, the group requested the donation of gently used children's books which they, in turn, gave to the Warren Public Library.
Annually, the Lionesses vote on which organizations will receive funds. Past beneficiaries include, but are not limited to: Beacon Lodge, Blind Bowlers, diabetes research, eye surgery trust fund, Keystone Blind Association, Leader Dog School, Lions Braille Vision, Lions of PA Foundation, PA Hearing Research, PA Eye Research, NW PA Eye Bank, NW Kidney Foundation, Western PA School for the Blind. More locally, contributions go to St. Joseph?s Church soup kitchen. hospice, humane society, Sharing Place and Special Olympics. This past year, the ladies contributed toward helping deserving individuals and families in our area. The Lionesses supported the 4th of July celebration and participated in the parade.
In 2011, president Susan Olson and secretary Kathleen Jones were recognized by the district secretaries contest for earning top points for the Lionesses outstanding efforts in the membership drive, collection of items, charitable contributions and submission of reports. Olson and Jones agree when they say, "The Lioness Club is a fun way to help others."
Although the Warren Lioness Club is a vital part of our community, only a short time is spent in meetings, and participation in activities is on voluntary basis. There is a nominal membership fee which includes the Lioness Club pin. New members are welcome at this Monday gathering.