Photo submitted to Times Observer Lions, from left, Darrell Pusateri, Dr. Sunny Thomas, and Lisa Rivett manning the weenie wagon during Christmas Walk.

The Warren Lions are busy wrapping up preparations for their annual Turkey Dinner; this year marking its 28th anniversary.

This event, one of the Lions Club’s most successful fundraisers, will take place at St. Joseph’s Recreation Center on Thursday, Jan. 25, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

A full turkey dinner will be available for eat-in or take-out service, and tickets may be purchased in advance at Crone’s Drug Store, Kersey and Associates, or by contacting any Lions Club member, and on the day of the event. Tickets will also be available at the door. Tickets are $10, and proceeds from this dinner will be utilized for sight/hearing assistance and the many community support projects the Lions are involved with throughout the year.

The Turkey Dinner preparations come on the heels of the Lions’ traditionally-busy winter season, including Toys for Tots assistance, Salvation Army bell ringing, and a Christmas Walk appearance by the weenie wagon, following a particularly auspicious couple of autumn months.

In November, Lions welcomed several potential new members at their annual Open House, and inducted new member Mark Boyle during their Christmas Dinner meeting.

In late October, Warren Lions Club members joined other Northwestern Pennsylvania District Lions in extending heartfelt congratulations to one of Warren’s most active and long-standing members, John Crone, who was awarded the rare and prestigious Lions Club International Ambassador of Goodwill Award. The award was presented to John by Past District Governor William Green III, at the Lions Pennsylvania Hearing Research Foundation’s annual Fundraiser, held in Tionesta on October 21.

This award is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a Lions Club member, and is awarded by Lions Club International Presidents. It is typically awarded to Immediate Past International Directors for their two years of service and to any Lion that has shown extraordinary work for the betterment of mankind. John received the award, in large part, for his work with the Pennsylvania Lions Hearing Research Foundation.

The Foundation was created in 1979 to initiate and create a wide range of research for hearing issues from embryonic stages to adult ages.

Funds are raised by Pennsylvania Lions, and grant proposals are submitted to the Foundation, and subsequently reviewed and critiqued by hearing professionals, prior to acceptance and approval by the Foundation.

Did you know that there are some 36 million people in the United States alone that have some degree of hearing loss? Did you know that those with hearing impairments outnumber those with heart disease, cancer, kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, venereal disease, tuberculosis and blindness combined?? If you know of someone who struggles with hearing loss, or if you hear that some advance has been made in its treatment, think of John Crone, and be thankful for his efforts and lasting legacy with the Pennsylvania Lions Hearing Research Foundation.

The Warren Lions Club meets twice a month at the Conewango Club for presentations, fellowship, lunch or dinner, and business/project discussion.

If you would like more information about the Lions, or are interested in presenting your program or becoming a member, attend a Lions meeting at the Conewango Club the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. or the fourth Tuesday of every month at noon, or contact the Warren Lions at (814)726-1381.