The Lions Clubs of Port Clinton, Oak Harbor and Marblehead have been diligently working to serve their communities for more than six decades. They want your help in generating more service-minded people to join them as Lions Club members to promote their high ethical standards in commerce, industry professions, public works and private endeavors.

The International Association of Lions Clubs was formed in 1917 and has grown to be the world’s largest service organization with more than 1.4 million members around the world. The Port Clinton Lions Club was chartered in 1954, Marblehead in 1984 and Oak Harbor in 1980. Their motto is “We Serve,” with a special emphasis placed on the Blind and Visually Handicapped in each community

Their objectives are to create and foster a spirit of understanding among the people of the world; promote the principles of good government and good citizenship; take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community; unite the clubs in the bonds of friendship good fellowship and mutual understanding;

and provide a forum for the open discussion of matters of public interest.

Lions Club members encourage service-minded people to work to better their community without personal financial reward, encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry professions, public works and private endeavors.

Over the years, through the efforts and talents of civic-minded people, Lions Club members have been able to provide to Ottawa County communities a wide variety of benefits. To work alongside them, like-minded people should contact Lions Club membership chairmen in Port Clinton (Jim Recker, 419-341-3002); Marblehead (Tod Kelly, 248-765-0892); and Oak Harbor (Clark Price, 419-707-0015).

Some of the worthy community efforts of the Lions Clubs include:

• Eyeglasses: They purchase eyeglasses for those in need in the community and collect used eyeglasses to be given to the disadvantaged in other countries.
• Life Saving Equipment: They are instrumental in the formation of Project Lifesaver in Ottawa County. This project, working with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department, provides personal radio monitors for adults and children who may wander. The radio monitors help authorities locate missing persons in a timely fashion.
• Eye Testing Equipment: Each year Lions Club members test the eyesight of preschool students in the community. Early testing is paramount in the early detection of amblyopia (lazy eye). If treatment begins before school age, vision can almost always be preserved.
• College Scholarships: They provide a scholarship to a graduating senior of our local schools.
• Community Improvement: Donations of money, service or equipment is given to police safety programs, city parks, Lighthouse Sober Living, Holiday Bureau, Community Thanksgiving and the Salvation Army.
• Disaster Relief: They provide financial assistance to those impacted by natural disasters.

Our area Lions Clubs also contribute to the following state and global organizations and causes, including the Ohio Lions Foundation; Ohio Lions Eye Research Foundation; Sight & Hearing (Pilot Dogs, Inc.); Lions Club International Foundation; and the Diabetes Awareness Pediatric Cancer.

To continue this work in support of our communities, said the membership chairmen, they need even more help right now from new and diversified members of the community.