News Summary
The James City Lions Club has showcased its impactful service projects focused on vision and hearing health, hunger relief, environmental efforts, and education. Notable achievements include collecting thousands of donated eyeglasses, providing meals to local children, and awarding scholarships to high school seniors. Their community engagement and fundraising initiatives reflect a strong commitment to enhancing lives in the James City area.
James City Reports on Successful Year for Lions Club
The James City Lions Club (JCLC) showcased their significant community contributions through an impressive array of service projects during the June 2024 to July 2025 service year. This year, the JCLC highlighted their commitment to improving lives with a focus on vision and hearing health, hunger relief, environmental stewardship, and education.
Vision and Hearing Services Make Impact
One of the notable achievements included the collection of 5,600 pairs of donated eyeglasses, of which nearly 400 pairs were distributed to local health organizations including Lackey Free Clinic, Olde Towne Medical and Dental Center, the Salvation Army, and a medical brigade from William & Mary that served Honduras. Additionally, 1,900 pairs of eyeglasses were sterilized and prepared for overseas distribution through the partnership with Doctors Without Borders.
In efforts to recycle unusable eyeglasses, the club sent those that could not be reused to ReSpecs in California. JCLC volunteers also focused on children’s health, screening nearly 2,000 school children for vision issues, resulting in 264 referrals for further care. The hearing screenings included 88 children and 81 adults, leading to nine referrals for additional hearing assistance.
Furthermore, the Lions Eye Clinic, established by the JCLC at the Olde Towne Medical and Dental Center, provided 165 adults with free eye examinations.
Meals and Hunger Relief Initiatives
The JCLC launched the Summer Meals for Kids program, delivering 13,000 lunches over the course of ten weeks to approximately 300 children in local motels, apartments, and at a church. Volunteers from the JCLC prepared hot meals each Monday for 150 senior citizens, which were distributed by Meals on Wheels volunteers.
Further supporting local food security, the club aided the FISH pantry monthly by sourcing food from the Peninsula Foodbank, totaling over 16,000 pounds (or more than eight tons) of food delivered to those in need.
Environmental and Community Engagement Efforts
The JCLC demonstrated commitment to environmental efforts by collecting 6,600 pounds of soft plastic through bi-monthly collection events at local locations, attracting 1,300 participating vehicles. The recycling initiative was expanded to include sneakers, resulting in the collection of about 2,100 pairs, of which 900 were refurbished for reuse and 1,200 recycled.
In community betterment activities, the JCLC organized a road clean-up along Monticello Avenue, conducted trash collections twice during the year. This contributed to a cleaner and more vibrant community for all residents.
Supporting Education and Young Talent
The James City Lions Club awarded $8,000 in college scholarships to four local high school seniors, encouraging educational advancement within the community. Moreover, the club collaborated with Hornsby Middle School for the International Peace Poster Contest, fostering creative expression among young artists, and co-sponsored the Bland Music Scholarship Competition to showcase talented youth in music.
Successful Fundraising Initiatives
Throughout the year, the JCLC successfully organized various fundraisers including the Spring Festival and a Charity Golf Tournament, receiving generous support from local sponsors such as Chesapeake Bank and Williamsburg Realty. These fundraising efforts significantly contributed to the club’s ability to serve the community.
Gratitude for Community Support
The JCLC expressed deep gratitude towards all neighbors, sponsors, and volunteers for their indispensable support and contributions to community service during this remarkable year.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Williamsburg’s SPARK Event Supports Families for New School Year
Additional Resources
- Daily Press: Lions by the Numbers
- Wikipedia: Lions Club
- Shreveport-Bossier Advocate: Bossier City Lions Jamboree
- Google Search: Lions Club service projects
- My Rye: Rye City Lions Club Service Award
- Google News: Lions Club charity events
- Tri-City Voice: Lions Clubs Unite to Aid Wildfire Victims
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lions Club
- Legacy: James Fisher Obituary
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
