Lions serve great food and serve the community

“We Serve” is the motto of Lions Clubs around the globe.  With 1.4 million members, the Lions is the largest service organization in the world. The Weiser Lions may be a small drop in that huge bucket, but its members make a big difference in this community.
 Each year, the Weiser Lions’ major fundraiser is manning the concessions stand at the middle school, junior varsity and varsity home football games.  
 With a menu of grilled burgers, hot dogs, nachos, chili, popcorn, ice cream, candy and drinks, there is something to tempt every palate.  
 Even with four workers taking orders on the front counter, the lines are long, but as is typical for Weiser everyone is patient, friendly and courteous.  Nothing makes the very tired volunteers happier than hearing the kids say “thank you” or wish us a good day.  
 The Weiser Lions thank all football fans who purchase from the Lions’ concession stand. One hundred percent of the net funds earned is donated back to people who can use a helping hand. Weiser Lions donate new coats to the coat drive, backpacks to the school kids and new eye glasses to the needy.  
 They donate to the Thanksgiving and Christmas community dinners, the Halloween carnival, the robotics and science clubs at the high school and the fireworks for July 4th.  The Lions are the proud sponsors of Weiser’s Cub and Boy Scout troops, paying their sponsorship fees and monthly utility bills at the Scout House. These are just a very few of the many causes we support with your help.
 Even though the Weiser Lions contribute to many community projects, its main focus is vision. Years ago in 1925, Helen Keller spoke at a Lions Clubs International convention, asking them to be “knights of the blind.”  
 Ever since, Lions around the world have worked to help those with vision problems.  This year, the Weiser Lions tested the vision of over 500 students at the Pioneer, Park, Middle School, Indianhead and Annex schools.  
 They also participated in Empathy Day at Pioneer School helping third graders understand the difficulties of being blind. The Weiser Lions pay for exams and new glasses for the needy and collect used glasses to be distributed overseas. They also contribute to the Lions-formed organization, Leader Dogs for the Blind.
 Besides buying a burger, you can help the Lions to help others by saving the aluminum pop tops from your sodas, soups, and various canned goods. The pop tops are recycled and the proceeds donated to the Ronald McDonald House in Boise, an organization that helps the families of hospitalized children. Drop-off boxes for the pop tops are at Weiser’s Columbia, Zions and Wells Fargo banks. You can also drop off your used eye glasses at those same locations.  
 Working together, so much can be accomplished!
 Dorothy Evans is the president of the Weiser Lions Club.