By Leigh C. Merrifield
It is not uncommon for people to look forward to Saturdays because after a long work week, they can change things up a bit, get some rest, or perhaps do something for themselves. The Shinnston Lions Club can help get your weekend off to a great start! How about a delicious breakfast that you don’t have to fix yourself? Sounds like a tempting weekend kickoff, doesn’t it?
The public is invited to join them on Saturday, April 18th (from 8 a.m until noon) as they host their annual Pancake Breakfast at Shinnston’s First UM Church on Rebecca Street. Attendees will have a choice of pancakes and sausage or biscuits with sausage gravy – along with coffee, tea, or juice. The charge for adults is $10, and children ten years and under eat for only $6.
This has become a yearly fundraiser for this club over the years, and each year, they choose something different to benefit from their Saturday breakfasts. This year, proceeds will be donated to finance extra projects for Big Elm Elementary School students … funding the school does not get additional help for.
The Lions Club is an international organization whose mission is to improve and strengthen communities and support those in need globally. The Shinnston Lions Club, founded in 1942, has always been a volunteer group that has chosen to place their main focus on their own community.
President David Minor said he is pleased to have gained some new, younger members whose talents can help the club’s longstanding associates accomplish some of the efforts they undertake in the community they call “home”. The list of their volunteer projects is pretty impressive! Here are some examples of what the Shinnston Lions Club does.
Whether you live in Shinnston or not, if you have driven through the downtown area during the Christmas season, you will notice that the Greenspace on Pike Street is always lit up and lavishly decorated for the holiday. And during patriotic holidays such as Flag Day, Veterans Day, and Independence Day, 120 American flags proudly fly along the city’s main thoroughfare.
The club also sponsors the city’s annual Veterans Day parade along with a luncheon co-hosted by the Shinnston American Legion following the parade. Mr. Minor stated, “We do this simply to demonstrate our profound gratitude to all the Veterans who have unselfishly served our country through the years, and when we see our streets lined with spectators, we are proud that so many people come to show their ongoing respect for our military.”
He added that the local club members also visit Big Elm Elementary School each year around Flag Day to emphasize patriotism by distributing flags at the school and explaining what the flag stands for.
Another major focus of Lions Clubs throughout the world is their sight programs, and the Shinnston Lions Club supports this effort as well by donating used eyeglasses, performing eye exams at Big Elm Elementary and Lincoln Middle School every year. In addition, if someone is in need of eyeglasses but cannot afford them, they can fill out an application and those who qualify will have their needs fulfilled.
Another civic perk that local Lions have undertaken is a Reading Program at Big Elm Elementary. Members take turns visiting the school every week to read to the students.
One more project Shinnston Lions undertook a few years ago was to host an annual picnic for City employees and Council members at Ferguson Memorial Park. Mr. Minor said, “Their work is vital to the quality of life we have in our community. The City employees are responsible for a lot of maintenance tasks that are performed at all hours of the day and night. They address sanitation issues, line breaks, road repairs, patching and paving, and so many things that impact the well-being of our community and its residents. Our Council members are the administrators who manage these operations and the daily functioning of our community. Too many times their contributions are overlooked, so this was our way of showing our respect and appreciation for what they do.”
Remember now, Lions Club members are not elected nor paid officials; they VOLUNTARILY offer their services. It is not mandatory; they consider it a privilege to “serve” their community wherever and however they can and are passionate about what they do.
That being said, supporting the Lions’ Pancake Breakfast could be considered a small token of your gratitude for what these Lions do … as well as a way to boost the donation that will benefit programs for local students at Big Elm School!
Minor noted that the club never encourages its members to put their family responsibilities second; they only ask that members contribute what they can when they are able to do so. Anyone who might be interested in joining the Shinnston Lions Club may contact any Lions Club member or call President David Minor at 304-844-6078 with questions.
