The Winnsboro Lions Club has been serving the community Fairfield County for 77 years. The group of 30 members comes together once a month to meet and plan for their service activities.
The local Lions Club is a part of the Lions Club International (LCI), and it was chartered May 22, 1935. The local group is part of the world’s largest secular service and civic organization.
LCI has more than 44,500 clubs and more than 1.4 million members in 200 countries around the world.
The missions of both the International Club and the local club are the same — to promote the principles of good government and good citizenship; to take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the local community; to encourage service-minded people to serve their community; and to promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works and private endeavors.
This mission, much like the mission of most organizations, helps to build the lasting platform that has sustained the organization over the years.
Club president Gene Clemens said, “I want us to be more known; more memberships.”
As they continue to allow their work to speak for them, this dream of increase membership will come true.
In keeping with the mindset of service, one of the ongoing projects that Winnsboro Lions Club provides is two pair of eye glasses per month for persons in need.
The eye exam and glasses are provided at no cost to the individuals.
The sight program is just one program that the club provides. Some others are Leader Dogs for the Blind, the Storm Eye Institute at MUSC in Charleston, a Lions mobile health screening unit, a foreign student exchange and school scholarships.
The Winnsboro Lions Club provides a scholarship of $750, that alternates between Fairfield Central High School and Richard Winn Academy to a current graduate.
Katie McLemore, a 2012 graduate of Fairfield Central High School, who is the daughter of Tammie and Tommy McLemore of Ridgeway, was this year’s recipient.
McLemore plans to attend Midlands Technical College, Airport Campus to obtain her associate’s degree as a paralegal.
Winnsboro Lions Club has helped the citizens of Fairfield County, the state, and persons around the world benefit from their sight conservation programs and foreign student exchange program.
Hundreds of community leaders have unselfishly served their community through being members since the club’s inception in 1935. Membership is open to all men and women of good character.
If you would like more information about the Winnsboro Lions Club, contact Richard Hodges, the club’s secretary, at rhodges50@gmail.com.
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