Members of the Voorhees-Gibbsboro Lions Club gathered at Il Villaggio Restaurant on July 22 for their first annual charter party to commemorate a year of service to the community.
Dressed in what was described as their Sunday best, guests spent more than two hours celebrating the club’s achievements, strengthening partnerships and looking ahead to future goals.
The event – attended by Mayor Michael Mignogna and current and past Lions Club district governors – was a milestone for the club, launched last year with a mission to serve.
“This milestone represents not just the culmination of a year’s hard work, but also a testament to the dedication and passion of our club officers and members,” said Sapana Raval, vice president of the club. “It was heartwarming to see our collective efforts recognized and celebrated by not only our members, but also by esteemed guests from across the Lions network.”
Guests enjoyed an evening of camaraderie, speeches and community connection at the host restaurant in Cherry Hill. At $48 a ticket, the charter party also supported the club’s ongoing service efforts. Club leaders say it was more than just a celebration, but a reflection of the club’s core values: community, compassion and service.
“The celebration was a vibrant reflection of the Lions Club’s spirit,” Raval continued. “It brought together our diverse membership, showcasing the unity and camaraderie that define our club.”
Club secretary Mimi Hadi echoed that sentiment.
“Seeing so many members from neighboring Lions Clubs attend to support our anniversary was really great,” she noted.
Over the past year, the Voorhees-Gibbsboro Lions Club has expanded both in leadership and in the scope of its service projects, from partnering with Cathedral Kitchen in Camden and offering health lectures, to hosting dance and meditation workshops. It has reached community residents through both traditional and other forms of engagement.
“We’ve added more officers to our Lions Club board,” Hadi explained. “That means we can offer more service projects than when we first started.”
Among those projects? Bringing back a beloved local tradition.
“Hosting the pancake breakfast with Santa again was a highlight for me,” Hadi related of the December event. “We had gotten so many requests from the community to bring it back and it was wonderful to do so. And I’m happy our club was able to start vision screenings again.”
As the club enters a second year, it has big plans to grow its impact.
“We aim to expand our outreach programs focusing on youth education, health awareness and environmental sustainability,” said Raval. “Key upcoming projects include vision screenings, food drives, eyeglass donations and partnerships with local restaurants for Dine and Donate events.”
The club also plans to host events such as paint workshops; henna art nights; and cultural dance sessions, with the goal of doubling volunteer participation and fundraising in the coming year. Its leaders are eager to welcome new members who want to get involved in meaningful – and enjoyable – community work.
“Giving back to the community can be fun and rewarding,” Hadi maintained. “We encourage people to attend a dinner meeting or service event to see if the club is the right fit for them.”
And support remains vital.
“Whether it’s through attending events, volunteering or simply spreading the word,” Hadi said, “your involvement helps us make a real impact.”
For more information or to get involved, contact the club at voorheesgibbsborolionsclub@gmail.com.
