It’s official, Lions pride is back in Monroe.
The Greater Monroe Lions Club is up and running with a focus on children, seniors, the visually impaired and projects like “The Bed Race to Aid Children.”
Michael LaHote, founder of Ribbons or Monroe, will serve as the club’s first president. Ribbons of Monroe is an nonprofit organization, funded by donations and events, that provides services to cancer patients, caregivers and families.
“We recently had a convention at Monroe County Community College with people from all over the state of Michigan and more than 80 people representing Lions,” LaHote said. “They welcomed us and couldn’t believe we brought the Greater Monroe Lions Club into existence so quickly.”
With 20 members, LaHote said the Monroe club is excited to work with the community.
“The things we are already doing in life — community oriented, service above self, working stronger together — all those things we already have,” LaHote said. “That just confirms what a great fit we are going to be to carry on what the Lions represent.”
LaHote said Lions Clubs International focuses its service on eight key pillars: vision, hunger, diabetes, childhood cancer, environment, youth, disaster relief, and humanitarian efforts.
These pillars guide the club’s service projects to improve health and strengthen communities.
“It’s an honor to lead this group.” LaHote said. “Everything in my adult life has been community oriented and I’ve run businesses. It all ties together with helping others.”
As president, LaHote said as the club establishes as a presence in the community, they will focus on the pillars.
“Childhood cancer is where I have the most expertise,” he said. “Youth hunger is going to be a biggie.”
Kim Hooper, district governor for Lions Clubs in Monroe and Wayne Counties, said there was a Lions Club in Monroe many years ago.
“In 1968, they sponsored the now Bedford Township Lions Club,” Hooper said. “What happened to them is that they aged out and then the service for that community was gone also. Ironically, the Bedford club has sponsored the new Greater Monroe club.”
Hooper said Lions International is the largest civic club in the world with more than 45,000 clubs and approximately 1.4 million members.
Expanding membership is also on both LaHote and Hooper’s list. Getting information into schools and Monroe County Community College is part of the agenda.
Hooper said Leos are a youth organization sponsored by Lions Clubs International that focuses on leadership, experience and opportunity through community service.
“The Leos Club is for high school and college kids,” Hooper added. “As they come up, they can become regular Lions if they wish to.”
Anyone interested in becoming a Lion can learn more about the organization and join online. The website provides a comprehensive list of all the causes that Lions address.
For more information on joining a local club, you can attend a meeting.
The Monroe club meets the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Monroe, 108 Washington St. in Monroe.
The Bedford club meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Erie Restaurant & Bar, 9788 S. Dixie Hwy. in Erie.
— Contact reporter Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling at lvidaurribowling@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Greater Monroe Lions Club is back to serve community
Reporting by Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
