BALLARD COUNTY, Ky. — One of the largest service organizations in the world is coming to Ballard County.
According to the Congressional Service Organization Caucus, there are more than 1.4 million members in 48,000 Lions Clubs around the world, serving more than 200 countries and geographic regions.
Bob Spalding, president of the Grand Rivers Lions Club and regional chair of the Global Membership Team, helped get the Ballard County club chartered. It’s a project he has worked on for more than two years. Right now, they have 28 members, and they hope to see that number double.
Ballard County Lions Club President Amber Turnbow said she’s excited to start off the new year with a new endeavor.
“There’s a lot of need out there,” she said. “It’s this little corner of Kentucky that seems to be forgotten about sometimes.”
Spalding said Lions Club services, including vision screening, are needed in Ballard.
The Lions KidSight program brings fast, free vision screening to school-aged children across the country. Volunteers can’t diagnose eye problems, but they can advise parents on whether or not they should visit an eye doctor. If parents need help with eyeglasses and qualify for the service, many Kentucky Lions Clubs offer assistance with that, too.
The Lions KidSight program brings fast, free vision screening to school-aged children across the country.
Spalding said volunteers from Murray have traveled more than an hour to Ballard County Schools to conduct vision screenings for the past 8 to 10 years. He said while he loves and appreciates the Murray Lions Club, he’s glad they will be able to focus more on their own projects now, and he hopes Ballard can return the favor in other nearby communities.
“That’s what I think the Lions Club is all about, is just helping community,” Turnbow said.
Whether it’s an hour drive to conduct vision screenings, or traveling across the country, Lions are there to help.
When Mayfield and surrounding communities were hit by the December 2021 tornado, Lions donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to relief efforts. According to Spalding, some even traveled hundreds of miles to bring supplies.
“We had a Lions Club from Wisconsin call with supplies to bring,” Spalding recounted. And when there wasn’t a hotel from his to stay at, Spalding invited him to stay at his house. “You know, that’s just the way we are,” Spalding said.
Spalding said Lions Club International used to be mainly focused on assisting with vision-related needs. But now, clubs can tailor their services to specific communities, whether that’s vision, hearing, diabetes, food assistance, or more.
“We also want to incorporate a young Lions Club at the Ballard County school, which is from 13 to 18. It’s called a Leo Club. It gives those students a chance to do service projects with community.”
In this picture from Oct. 15, members of three local Lions Club chapters helped conduct vision screenings at Benton Elementary.
Spalding said those who join a new club within 90 days of the charter approval date are considered charter members and will receive a certificate. Members pay a one-time membership fee of $35 or less, depending on the type of membership they choose. Monthly dues range from $5 to $6 per month, and help pay for the services Lions provide. That’s because, according to Spalding, 100% of the money they take in goes back to the community.
Turnbow encouraged the community to reach out with fundraising and service ideas, and to be on the lookout for social media pages coming soon.
To apply for membership, contact Turnbow at 270-205-2618 or Spalding at 270-705-8009.
Spalding has been a Lion for about 15 years. “We’ve got a gentleman in the Fulton club. I think he’s been 66 years now,” he said.
“Once you become one, you won’t give it up.”
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