On Wednesday, Aug. 19, the Voorhees Gibbsboro Lions Club held a dine and donate event at El Mariachi restaurant on White Horse Road. The event was organized for all community members to participate, regardless of status in the club, with dine-in or take-out orders.
Community members were able to join the Lions Club at the restaurant at 7 p.m. Those unable to attend in person could contribute by mentioning the club’s name when ordering takeout or dining in any time during their business hours on Aug. 19.
Dine and donate events, like this one, serve multiple purposes, including strengthening bonds within the club; building relationships with small businesses; and funneling support to local causes. Twenty percent of the proceeds for this event were donated to the Voorhees Gibbsboro Lions Club. Lions clubs are local chapters with volunteers and partners who work to improve health and wellbeing, strengthen communities, and support those in need through humanitarian service and grants.
Funds raised through this event will support the charitable causes organized by the Lions Club in South Jersey, including free vision screenings provided to local grade school students; free community lectures on health and wellness; eyeglass recycling programs, and partnerships with local groups like Cathedral Kitchen and Hope Food Pantry to provide hunger relief.
Mimi Hadi, the club’s 2026-27 president, had previously expressed hopes to expand the club’s current initiatives, such as its lecture series, dine and donate events, food drive and contact lens recycling program when she took over the position in June. As a Lion, she enjoys bringing health and wellness lectures to the community, especially since it connects to her professional background as an optometrist.
Hadi shared, “Our Lions Club does dine & donate events throughout the year with various restaurants in the South Jersey area. It’s a great way to build community connections. The business gets to give back, and we, in turn, can help those in need. We also can help support local businesses by promoting their name on social media when we advertise the event to the community.”
The event was also an opportunity for residents to learn more about the Lions Club’s community-focused culture as they ate.
Additional upcoming events supported by the chapter include:
- Sept. 10 Flower Workshop at Nagpuri Restaurant
- Sept. 13 BookSmiles Service Event
- Sept. 24 Dinner Meeting at Elena Wu Restaurant
- Oct. 3 5K Run for Sight with the Haddonfield Lions
- Oct. 11 Myopia Management in Children Lecture at M. Allan Vogelson Library
- Oct. 17 Voorhees Fall Festival
- Oct. 25 T1D Diabetic Walkathon in Glassboro
The Voorhees Gibbsboro Lions Club chapter is accepting new members. For inquiries on joining the club or participating in a future event, reach out to voorheesgibbsborolionsclub@gmail.com.
