Cranberry Township Lions Club Looking for New Members

According to the Cranberry Township Area Lions Club organization, whenever a Lions club gets together, problems get smaller—and communities get better.

“That's because we help where help is needed—in our own communities and around the world—with unmatched integrity and energy,” a statement from the organization said.

With 45,000 clubs and more than 1.3 million members, the Lions are the world's largest service club organization—and you can be part of it too.

Interested men and women are invited to learn more about the Lions’ outreach programs and activities as guests of the club for dinner at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 26 at the North Park Lounge on Route 19 in Cranberry.

For more information, or to RSVP, contact club membership chairman Clyde Cameron at 724-776-1935, or visit www.cranberrylions.org.

Following the membership recruitment dinner, Robert Baillie of the MIRA Foundation USA will share an overview of the foundation’s efforts to provide guide dogs for blind children, ages 11-17. The name ‘Mira’ is Spanish for “look”, “to have one’s sights set on”.

The group is based in Aberdeen, N.C. and it is the only program of its kind, serving the needs of blind children, free of charge. Several children in Butler County have dogs provided by MIRA.

The Cranberry Township Area Lions Club is committed to community service in a variety of ways.

“Our primary goal is to support sight programs and services including vision screenings, eyeglass recycling and to provide eye care services to those in need,” said club president Tim Holt. “We hold various fundraisers throughout the year, and we give it all – 100 percent of the proceeds—back to the community and people in need. That's what's special about Lions and being a Lion.”

A list of recent Cranberry Lions’ projects include:

• Annual Community Days Pancake Breakfast—100 percent of the proceeds support our projects and programs.
• Family Miniature Golf Outing—Supports Leader Dogs for the Blind
• White Cane Day—Collection of public donations to treat or help prevent blindness.
• Free eye exams and glasses for needy youngsters
• Collection of eyeglasses—to recycle for those in need
• Butler County Blind Association Parties for visually impaired clients of the Association
• Support the VIP Sports Camp at Slippery Rock University for the visually impaired
• Soles for Souls—annual new and gently used shoe collection. The group distributes shoes to people in more than 125 countries

Other Community Involvement

• Founding partner with Cranberry Township Community Chest for the information board on Routes 19 and 228
• Donations/Support for the Miracle League Field in Cranberry
• Created a wild flower garden in North Boundary Park
• Donated benches to the Cranberry Township Scout Plaza
• Support for local food banks, and the Cranberry Public Library
• Service/Effort/Initiative Awards - recognizing Seneca Valley Middle School students