For as long as the Greendale Lions Club has been in existence (since 1955), one of its main service opportunities has been to help children – in as many ways as possible. One of the largest efforts in prior years was raising funds for, and assisting with, the building of the old Youth Center in Greendale, where the current Middle School stands now. This structure stood as a testament of what the strength of a community could do in order to provide a place for the younger generations of the Village to gather, have fun and to call “their own.”
Following soon after was the creation of the Greendale Lions Scholarship Fund. In order to assist Greendale High School students with their desire to attend college, the scholarship program was developed to help offset the costs associated with earning a degree. Over the years, the scholarship program has changed and grown. While the original intent of the scholarships was to award them based solely on a student’s academic achievements and extracurricular activities, a new assessment tool was developed. The scholarships are now awarded with emphasis given toward “volunteerism,” and the hours committed to helping a student’s community (both far-reaching and local). While grades, school club participation and employment are all still part of the rubric, assessing a student’s desire to help the community supports the mission of Lions International: ”We Serve.”
The Lions Club is the benefactor of an invaluable service that resonates with a very important Lions’ cause: sight. Launched almost 2 decades ago, the “Gift of Sight” program provides eye exams and eyeglasses to any community child under 18 who is part of a family in need of assistance. Partnering with America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, the Greendale Lions provide vouchers to these community families in need. Families contact Rob Schneider at the Middle School for the vouchers and make their own appointments for the exam. The Club encourages families to take advantage of this offer, as it allows children to be given the great gift of vision.
In 2019, the Club renewed its focus on our community and focused on the challenge of overcoming hunger. One of the initiatives to come out of this effort was to help make a difference in Greendale Schools by providing healthy snacks for students to assure that good food is available for elementary and middle school students in need. The need for such a program came to light when it was pointed out to the Greendale Lions that the number of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch has more than doubled in the last 11 years, increasing from about 12% in 2010 to about 25%. Statistics show that hunger impacts a student’s ability to learn. The “Healthy Snack Initiative” was born and has continued ever since. A dedicated volunteer committee shops for an assortment of snacks and delivers them to each of the grade schools and the middle school so that no student in need goes hungry mid-morning.
For any questions in regards to the “Gift of Sight” Program or the “Healthy Snack Initiative,” please reach out to Lion Karyn Birmingham-Community Service Director at 414.828.8687.