Edwardsburg Lions Club’s new Leo youth group is growing at a pace exceeding expectations, from 41 charter members Sept. 22 to 71 at the last meeting.
Over the weekend the Lions and Leos collaborated on a spaghetti supper at the American Legion to honor the club’s 65 years of service to the Edwardsburg community.
Students, who served as servers, were “in awe” of all the Lions had done through the decades, especially for schools, according to Amy Anderson, Southwestern Michigan College Educational Talent Search director.
Edwardsburg Lions Club tried to establish a Leo program in 1990 “with no takers,” she said. “We revitalized the effort last year when I joined the Lions. They agreed to sponsor 20 Leos. I thought I would have a hard time recruiting,” but “kids are realizing community service is really important” to college admissions and scholarships, Anderson said Monday, plus positive “word of mouth” attracts others who involve their friends.
Three recent additions are middle school boys.
Leos wrote 130 letters to troops overseas through the Blue Star Mothers program — more than quadrupling the goal, 30.
Leos worked alongside Lions cleaning up the ambulance garage renovation, washing three ambulances and two police cars.
Leos packed 500 goodie bags for Edwardsburg District Library and Edwardsburg Presbyterian Church for Halloween, then distributed to 227 kids, plus made hot cocoa and cappuccinos for parents.
Fifteen Leos and their parents and grandparents attended the Lions Club’s Nov. 3 “meet-and-greet.”
“On the horizon the Leos plan to make 300 Thanksgiving cards to send to veterans hospitals in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and Grand Rapids,” Anderson said.