Seeing a Greater Vision
South Ashland Lions Club Impacts Community Through Service
Deidra Bowling-Meade
The Ashland Beacon
“Where There’s a Need, There’s a Lion.” This is the motto of the National Lions Club organization. Our community is fortunate to have many Lions on the prowl for service opportunities. The South Ashland Lions Club can be seen throughout our local community making a difference.
The club has a long history of serving the blind and visually impaired, and remains committed to continuing this mission. The South Ashland Lions sponsor and participate in several activities where funding goes toward local vision screenings, eye exams, glasses, and eye surgeries for those in need. Linda McComas who is a member of the South Ashland Lions Club serves as the Eye Glass Chairperson. McComas shared, “I’m in charge of picking up used glass frames at various locations and contacting the Boyd County Family Resource Center to get applications for glasses in the hands of families who need them.” McComas and other members of the South Ashland Lions Club are working hard to increase funding this year.
This past Saturday, June 10, members of the South Ashland Lions Club were out greeting locals who were shopping at South Ashland Food Fair. It was the club’s annual Candy Days Project where members of the club gave out Lions Mints for donations to be made to the club. All the proceeds went toward funding eye exams and glasses for those in need.
Since the COVID pandemic, the club’s semi-annual pancake breakfast was put on hold. This year, they are trying something different and having a fundraiser at Ashland Applebee’s with a special menu for customers to order from with proceeds going toward the vision project of buying glasses for underprivileged adults and children. The fundraiser will be Tuesday, June 20 from 4-8 p.m. at the Applebee’s located at 505 Armco Rd.
The South Ashland Lions Club would appreciate the support in order for them to continue to fund the vision project. Diana Davis, secretary for the South Ashland Lions Club, commented how much this project means to her, “It means a great deal to all of us. People can call us for all kinds of needs.” Being a Lion isn’t for show but lending a helping hand to those who need it. Lions see the need and meet the need. Lion member Jim Glockner concurred, “We do this to give back to the community.”
The main goal for the Lions is to make a real difference people can see and feel. It encompasses four simple phases: Learn, Discover, Act, and Celebrate. They are the essence of Lions. The South Ashland Lions Club welcomes new members and meets on the third Tuesday of the month at J & J Restaurant located at 5260 13th St, Ashland, KY. The next scheduled meeting today–Tuesday, June 13 at 5:30 p.m. Applications to join will be available at the meeting. You may also send an email to