By LEIGH C. MERRIFIELD
News & Journal Editor
Shinnston is very fortunate to have an active Lions Club in its midst. Shinnston Lions Club members are among 1.4 million members in 210 countries … and whether they are supporting projects to help people globally or helping causes closer to home, Lions are always serving in some capacity!
This weekend the target of the local Lions Club’s service will be quite community-based. They will host their annual pancake breakfast at Epworth Center of the First United Methodist Church in Shinnston on Saturday, April 16th from 8:30 a.m. until noon. The public is encouraged to come out and support this fundraiser – especially because all proceeds will benefit a project that is designed tohelp instill pride within the community.
As many may have noticed during the Christmas holiday season this year, the light display in Shinnston’s downtown area was not up to par. Displays were rather sparse, and even those displays that were affixed to utility poles were not in the best shape. Despite the fact that they are stored carefully indoors at the City’s Public Works Garage, they have begun to show their 26 years of wear! Many are badly weathered; some frames are in need of repair; garland needs replaced; and some even have wiring issues.
At the time the displays were purchased by the Shinnston Area Development Association, it was not an inexpensive endeavor. That price has now of course escalated, and even repairing them will be quite costly. However, the community takes pride in looking its best and has started a fund, earmarking donations for the refurbishing of the holiday lights. The Shinnston Lions Club is hoping that its pancake breakfast this Saturday will serve as a catalyst to bring that about.
“We only do ONE fundraiser per year,” explained club president David Minor. “We don’t have multiple events and our events are not to help US. We always donate our proceeds to something local within our own community, and our members voted to support theChristmas Lighting Fund this year. Our club pays for all of the expenses for this pancake breakfast, which means that ALL of our profits will be given to back this effort!”
Shinnston Lion David Harbert added, “We vote on everything, and our members were unanimously on board with our proceeds going to this project because it was something that would benefit the entire community and be a source of pride for our residents when they – as well as visitors to our city – drive through our downtown area.”
Minor noted that while everyone is in agreement that the downtown lights certainly need “redressed”, some families may not have an extra hundred dollars to contribute. But small contributions do add up.
“We feel that our annual breakfast is a good way that our citizens can ‘collectively’ make a big difference – even if it’s just a $6 breakfast contribution. Come and enjoy a great breakfast … good fellowship with neighbors and friends … and help a very deserving cause. Our community is what we make it, and we look forward to welcoming a big crowd of folks this Saturday who also share our feelings about restoring a well-maintained appearance to our City during the holiday season,” Minor added.
The breakfast menu will include your choice of pancakes and sausage OR biscuits and gravy along with coffee, tea, milk or juice. The cost is just $6 per person.
The goal is to raise $15,000 in time to have the repairs made for the 2016 holiday season. Currently, the gofundme.com account set up for these donations is showing that almost $4,000 has been contributed thus far. Even though it is mid-April, keep this Christmas goal in mind. And remember that each $6 breakfast sold this Saturday all goes to the lighting fund and does make a difference!
