 There are 1.3
million Lion’s Club
volunteers working
in 202 countries
around the world.
Luckily for the
children at William
Tyson Elementary,
the Mountain View
Lion’s Club is part of
that noble network.
The local Lion’s
Club has informally
adopted the school
for over a decade,
but an official partnership
was recently
established in 2008.
Lion’s Club volunteers are known for
their quest to end preventable blindness,
and they work to fulfill that mission at
Tyson Elementary. The school’s nurse,
Krista Hepler, said, “The Lion’s Club has
been wonderfully supportive of our families.
Their Gift for Sight committee has provided
many of our students eye appointments
and glasses who would otherwise
not have been able to afford it.” The Lion’s
Club also donates clothing, band aids, and
other much-needed supplies to the nurse’s
office. “We are so grateful for their community
support! Knowing that their services
are available has made my job that much
easier. They are truly making a difference in
our children’s lives!”
Each year, the Lion’s Club donates
five Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners
to Tyson families in need, in addition to
Christmas gifts. These outreach programs
make the holidays easier for families who
are struggling. A Tyson parent wrote, “I
loved all the gifts the Lion’s Club sent my
kids and appreciated all they did. It was a
blessing. They do good deeds. Thank you,
Lion’s Club.” |
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In 2006, the staff at Tyson Elementary
wanted to create an annual Reading
Carnival to reward students for their recreational
reading. This event required funding,
supplies, and countless man hours.
The Mountain View Lion’s Club leapt at the
opportunity to help, and provided $500 for
materials and nearly a dozen volunteers
who helped make the event a success.
Lion’s Club volunteers came early to set up
and stayed late to clean. They ran booths
and donated cakes and cupcakes for a
cakewalk. One parent said her children did
not want to leave this festive event!
Each year, the Lion’s Club sponsors the
Sixth Grade picnic at Tyson Elementary,
which is a time of fun and celebration.
Teacher Jennifer Hemphill said, “When you
show up to the Lion’s Club BBQ, you feel
like you are coming to your own big family
BBQ. The Lion’s Club members are so
friendly and kind. They answer questions
while dishing out food and they always
make you feel like you are part of the family.”
Neighborhood by neighborhood, Lion’s
Club volunteers are working to make our
world a better place. Club member Jerry
Blackburn explained, “The Mt. View Lion’s
Club began cleaning up the neighborhood
by filling in old wells and removing appliances
from yards. Then it progressed to
the neighborhood school because our children
are our future.”
It’s no wonder that William Tyson principal
John Kito expressed his gratitude for
all of the Lion’s Club’s “generous baskets
of care, love and kindness.” Clearly, they
are making a noticeable difference in the
Mountain View community!
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