The first thing that generally comes to mind when you think of the Lions Club is eyeglasses. In 1925, Helen Keller addressed a Lions Club convention being held in Ohio with the stirring call to be “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” That stuck and for decades the Lions Club both nationally and internationally has been supporting eye research and providing eyeglasses.
Yet the original foundation of the organization, which today boasts millions of members around the global, was ‘We serve.’ In 1917, founder Melvin Jones, a Chicago-based business leader, asked the membership to “reach beyond business issues and address the betterment of their communities and the world.”
Today, the work of serving others quietly takes places in cities and towns, in villages and neighborhoods, through small-scale and large-scale activities. And right here, nestled in our community of Mattapoisett, is a group of Lions whose quest to provide for a need, answer a call, or lend a hand continues.
“People think the Lions Club is a bunch of old guys donating glasses, but it’s far more than that,” says Lisa Bindas. Four years ago when she and her partner, Jaci Barnett, joined the Lions Club at the urging of another member, Ken Pacheco, they weren’t sure it was the right fit for them. Before long, any questions they may have had about the work of the Lions were answered.
Bindas and Barnett, along with other members of the Mattapoisett Lions Club, drove to New Jersey in the wake of Hurricane Sandy to take supplies to the Lions Clubs there who were struggling to assist storm victims.
“We took everything – pet food, human food, clothing,” Bindas said. “That’s just it,” Bindas continued. “Whenever anyone is in need, we help.”
Bindas’ comments were echoed by outgoing Mattapoisett Lions Club president Rob Haley.
“Sure, we do Harbor Days,” said Haley, “but we do so many other things.”
Since Haley’s tenure began, he has reached deep into the community to partner with schools, town halls, visiting nurses, and churches.
“I found out that in New Bedford, seven hundred kids spend weekends with little or no food. They are depending on the schools for their meals.” There was apparent pain in Haley’s voice belying an otherwise calm demeanor. “The biggest thing is so many kids that really struggle, they need clothes and food,” he said.
The Mattapoisett Lions Club is helping to bridge that need.
The list of needs that the organization has assisted with is long and covers a swath of human suffering from hunger to mobility issues to building wheelchair ramps to cleaning out an elderly person’s hoard to giving away eyeglasses.
“We are in partnership with LensCrafters. If someone goes there and has a demonstrated financial problem, we’ll pay the bill,” said Haley.
So while the work they are most known for continues, the variety of services provided has expanded just as founder Jones had hoped it would.
But, let’s not forget other activities that provide fun relief from the problems of the now and take one to a happy place where the smell of frying foods and the joyous sounds of laughter on a hot summer’s day can only mean one thing: Harbor Days in Mattapoisett.
“People plan their summer vacations, time to visit family, during the week of Harbor Days,” said Bindas.
This year, there will once again be the kick-off event – the triathlon – followed by a week of food, entertainment and, yes, a field of craft booths where objects of every sort will be on sale.
New this year will be a painting class under the tent. Now a sold-out event, participants will be guided by a teacher who will show them how to paint Ned’s Point Lighthouse.
Both Bindas and Haley spoke to the importance of corporate sponsorships to help the Lions Club meet the needs of the communities it serves.
Bindas went one step further, saying, “When local people support local businesses, we can help local people.” It’s a circle, she described. “Internet sales hurt businesses like mine,” she said. “People will come in, we’ll help them, but then they actually buy online.” Bindas and Barnett own Gotta Have It, located on Route 6 in Fairhaven. “We depend on the local economy so we can give back to local people.”
Haley said that Harbor Days is a massive undertaking, putting tremendous stress and responsibility squarely on the shoulders of members and anyone they can conscript to lend a hand.
“We generally take the summer off after Harbor Days,” Haley said with a chuckle.
Haley said the 2016 goals of the Lions Club were four-fold: 1) sharing the vision; 2) protecting the environment; 3) feeding the hungry; and 4) engaging youth. With its programs partnering with LensCrafters, to electronic recycling days, to feeding and clothing children, all four goals have been met.
The work continues, however. Haley said of the current membership, “We have a lot of retired people; they want to retire from the Lions also.” Increasing new membership will be paramount to the incoming new President Kim Grodzki. Haley also said, “When you donate, you want to know where your money is going – we keep money in the community.”
Harbor Days begins on Sunday, July 10 at 8:00 am with the triathlon, and winds down on July 17 with a pancake breakfast under the tent.
Visit www.mattapoisettlionsclub.org to learn more about the organization, upcoming events, and don’t forget – Movie Nights will also be returning. Stay tuned!
By Marilou Newell
