The Northwest Texas County Lions Club in Roby was a den of activity on Monday, June 10.
While hosting the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks for an event to replenish dwindling blood supplies in local hospitals, the Lions Club also awarded three $1,000 scholarships to deserving local youth who will be attending college this fall. Students receiving scholarships include Drew Clark, Reagan Caldwell and Austin McCoy.
All graduates of Plato High School, the students will begin their college educations at colleges and universities in Missouri this fall, pursuing studies in athletic training, elementary education and physics, respectively. This is the fourth year the NWTC Lions Club has awarded scholarships, and coordinator Linda Breedlove expects the program to grow in coming years.
Other community projects considered at the meeting included purchasing custom eyeglasses for a disabled couple, dispersing funds to purchase lifesaving equipment for the Roby/Evening Shade/Success fire department, and an emergency grant to a local resident who was injured in an accident. Under the leadership of President Leroy Swetnam, the Lions voted to approve and fund all projects.
With no federal funding, the International Lions club is rated as one of the top philanthropic organizations worldwide. Run by volunteers, 100 percent of money raised from donations and fund-raisers goes directly back into the community.
Persons are invited to join the organization. Meetings are held the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Lions Den at Roby. For more information, call Charlotte Williams at 417-818-0556. Check the NWTC County Lions Club ATV Rodeo page on Facebook. Open to everyone, the next ATV rodeo is July 13 at Roby, with proceeds going to benefit the fire department.
CONTRIBUTED BY MARIE LASATER