| Published
March 20, 2007 |
Volume
15, Number 3
|
Amador Valley Lions
Club Turns 25

“We serve.” What mission statement could be more direct and
applicable to anyone? It is the reason for the existence of
the
Amador Valley Lions Club and describes what its members have been doing
for the past 25 years for the local community and
beyond.
Lions International is a network of 1.3 million men and women in 200
countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs
that challenge communities around the world. Since 1917,
Lions
clubs has provided millions of people with the opportunity to give
something back to their communities.
Lions secretary Peter Bailey knows all about serving the
community. He started the club in February 1982 as president
and
is the only remaining charter member. “Simply put, we are a
service club. Members are men and women who want to make a difference
in their community.”
The club is one of 45 in International District 4-C3, representing
Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Lions clubs are primarily
known for their work to end preventable blindness, but participate in a
vast variety of projects important to their communities.
Projects
range from cleaning up local parks to providing supplies to victims of
natural disasters.
“Our district supports two centers for the sight impaired in Oakland
and Pittsburg,” says Bailey. “The centers provide training to
sight-impaired people so that they are able to manage their
lives. They teach Brail, white cane use, typing skills, and
provide job opportunities.”
The district also supports the Lions Eye Foundation of
California-Nevada Inc. where uninsured eye patients receive
treatment. “If there is someone in our community in need of
eye
surgery and without health insurance, our club refers them to an eye
doctor at the foundation for free treatment,” explains
Bailey.
Through various fundraising events and club dues, the Amador Valley
Lions also provide support to projects including The City of Hope, The
Hearing Foundation, Lions in Sight (an eyeglass recycling center),
Guide Dogs, and Lions Project for Canine Companions for Independence.
Bailey is also proud of the many youth-oriented projects that his Lions
club supports. Among other things, the club’s members volunteer with
the Pleasanton Police Department’s DARE program at elementary and
middle schools.
Amador Valley Lions are always looking for new members, says
Bailey. “Anyone who wants to serve their community and make a
difference in the lives of others is welcome in our club.”
The club meets the first and third Thursdays of each month at 12:15
p.m. at Round Table Pizza, 530 Main St., in Pleasanton.
Prospective members can contact Peter Bailey at 925-846-4921 or email
petbailey@comcast.net.
For more information, visit the Lions International website at www.lionsclubs.org,
or the
district site at www.lionseastbay.org.
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