The Voorhees-Gibbsboro Lions Club kicked off its new Lions year by welcoming four new members while celebrating an already busy start to its community service and fundraising efforts.
The club held an induction dinner on Sept. 24 at Coriander Indian Bistro in Voorhees, where four members were officially inducted into the organization.
Voorhees Mayor Michael Mignogna, right, is welcomed as a new member of the Voorhees-Gibbsboro Lions Club by club President Mimi Hadi during the Sept. 24 induction dinner at Coriander Indian Bistro in Voorhees.
The new members are Voorhees Mayor Michael Mignogna, sponsored by club President Mimi Hadi; Timothy Maffiore, sponsored by Joseph Ricca; Janette Norcross, sponsored by Lisa Rose Witherspoon; and Stephanie Fisher, sponsored by First Vice President Sapana Raval.
The event was the club’s first dinner of the new Lions year, which began July 1, and provided members with an opportunity to reflect on what they have accomplished so far and discuss upcoming community service projects.
Fundraising has gotten off to a strong start with two Dine & Donate events, one at Green Grain in Voorhees and another at El Mariachi.
The Lions have also turned their attention to helping local children.
The club recently completed a back-to-school drive in partnership with the Voorhees AAA office and Sanremo Restaurant in Gibbsboro. The businesses served as collection locations for donations, which were then provided to children living in group homes and foster care through the Integrated Oaks Care group.
Another effort focused on one of the Lions’ longtime service initiatives: collecting used eyeglasses.
The Voorhees-Gibbsboro Lions Club partnered with the Haddonfield Lions Club to collect a combined 350 pairs of glasses. The donations were taken to a recycling center in Trenton, where they will be sorted before being distributed to people in need.
The club is now preparing for additional service projects and community events this fall and winter.
A free community lecture is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 11, on “How to Prevent Nearsightedness in Children.” Dr. Ed Melman, an optometrist and owner of Doctors Eyeland in Voorhees, will serve as the speaker.
The club is also planning a Pancake Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 12, at Lions Lake Banquet Hall in Voorhees.
During the September induction dinner, new District Governor Jeff Iapicco also spoke to members about goals for the Lions district, including efforts to increase membership.
The addition of four new members gives the Voorhees-Gibbsboro Lions Club an early boost toward that goal while expanding the group of volunteers involved in its local service projects.
With fundraising events, donation drives, educational programs and holiday activities already underway or planned, the club is looking to build on that momentum throughout the remainder of its Lions year.
