The Pawleys Island SC Lions Club

Pawleys Island, SC


Projects: Current and Notable

 

 

 




- - - - SERVICE PROJECTS - - - -

Sight Disease Prevention & Correction

Pawleys Island Lions are in step with Lions International through the implementation of programs and processes to aid visually impaired people. The eyesight of one-fourth of the world's population can be improved through the use of corrective lenses. Discarded eyeglasses can be used effectively by people in third world countries, but in the United States, other initiatives are needed.

Our club collects used eyeglasses for shipment to a Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center, for re-distribution abroad (for the location of our collection boxes, please see the list at the end of this section). For the visually impaired and needy individuals in our own community, we often go a step further. In some cases, we provide the funds for eye examinations and eyeglasses; in other cases, we will work with other site-related agencies to ensure that appropriate vision care is provided. Among our local members is an optometrist who is a vital member of our Eyesight Committee, and who provides us with valuable information about vision impairments and the latest in care and treatments for those with vision problems.

Still another program we sponsor is Mobile Health Screening. The state organization in South Carolina has a MHS van that comes to our community once each year for several days. During that time, our Lion members staff the screening location which is open - - free of charge - - to those wishing to obtain glaucoma, visual acuity and blood pressure tests.

As mentioned above, Lions recycling centers clean, repair, and classify donated eyeglasses. First, the eyeglasses have to be collected, and our local collection sites are:


  • Captain John's Barber Shop - - Business 17, Murrells Inlet

  • Georgetown County Library - - Pawleys Island location

  • Cox's Pharmacy - - Highway 17, Pawleys Island

  • Low Country Vision Care - - Litchfield Market Village (at Willbrook Blvd. & US 17)

  • All Saints Church (ACTS Bldg.) - - Kings River Road

  • Extra Room Self Storage - - Waverly Road at Pettigru, Pawleys Island

  • BB&T Bank - - Bypass 17 and Hwy. 707, Murrells Inlet

  • Atlantic Eye Care (Dr. Ply) - - Bypass 17, Murrells Inlet

  • The Lakes of Litchfield Retirement Community - - Litchfield


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Habitat for Humanity

Over the years, Pawleys Island Lions have participated in projects for Habitat for Humanity, Georgetown County, as volunteer laborers. In 2001, Pawleys Island Lions “kicked it up a notch” by becoming the lead sponsor of a new home. This effort required the contribution of 12.5% of the total home cost, plus nearly 60 man-days of labor. In addition, Pawleys Island Lions secured funding from the Lions Club International Foundation for 75% of the project cost.

This was a wonderful endeavor - - rewarding and fulfilling to Pawleys Island Lions, and, without doubt, beneficial to a local grandmother who is raising 2 grandchildren. The funds contributed by our club were raised, primarily, by our annual golf tournament.

Our work does not stop there: we are continuing to provide "helping hands" to build homes, on an as-needed basis. Recently, one of our members accepted the challenge to become a permanent member of the home building crew. Pawleys Island Lions readily and willingly work for the good of Habitat for Humanity whenever asked.

In November, 2004, still another Habitat Home was funded and built by Pawleys Island Lions. The proceeds from our successful golf tournament in May, 2004, plus a matching grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation, made another Habitat home a reality for a local family in need.

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Help for the Hearing Impaired

Pawleys Island Lions also provide assistance to folks who have hearing problems and lack the means for getting medical assistance or hearing aids. In a recent case, Pawleys Island Lions provided the funds to help an elderly lady in our community obtain a re-conditioned hearing aid. In this instance, we worked with a local agency, which is directly involved in speech and hearing remedial services, to help this 95-year old "special citizen" achieve a better lifestyle.

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- - FUND-RAISING PROJECTS - -

Annual Golf Tournament

Our 2004 tournament was held at the private, Greg Norman-designed The Reserve Golf Club on May 17! We were indeed fortunate to be able to stage our tournament on this fine course, because The Reserve allows only 3 outside tournaments each year. Our members worked very hard to ensure that this tournament was the most memorable for loyal sponsors and participants, alike.

One of the most significant accomplishments of our golf committee has been to secure underwriters for this event! We are pleased to recognize, Pawleys Island Realty as the 2004 Corporate Sponsor of this tournament! Please join us in thanking Alan Altman his associates and his company by using Pawleys Island Realty for your real estate needs in this area. Your start can begin with a visit to their web site at www.pawleysislandrealty.com.

Other sponsors of our tournament this year included: "Friends": The Conway National Bank, and Ken and Joan Kreikemeier. This year's "Bronze" sponsor was The Georgetown Kraft Credit Union. We are indeed grateful to these fine sponsors for their contributions to the success of this tournament! THANK YOU, sponsors!

The 2004 Pawleys Island Lions Golf Tournamentament - - for the benefit of our charities - - was an EXCEPTIONAL event!

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Sales of Light Bulbs and LIONS Brooms
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Another important fund-raising activity we use is the sale of light bulbs and brooms. During the Spring, Summer and early Fall months of the year, we set up shop at the entrances of local supermarkets for about 1 day each month to sell our wares. Working in 2-hour shifts, teams of 2 Lions welcome shoppers to the stores and sell the products we offer. On an annual basis, we can gross about $2000.00 from this activity. In addition, we have commercial customers - - - resorts, hotels, property management firms, churches, etc. - - who buy brooms and light bulbs in bulk (case lots) at bulk-rate pricing. This, too, is an important adjunct to our “retail” sales effort.

We have had absolutely excellent cooperation from the local merchants, who allow us to use their facilities. Those merchants are: Piggly Wiggly, Food Lion, and Bi-Lo. We are indebted to these stores, and their managers, who continually support the charitable work that we do.

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Community Birthday Calendar Sale

The “Community Birthday Calendar Sale” is yet another import fund-raising tool for Pawleys Island Lions. On the completion of our golf tournament, usually by the first of July, work begins to obtain orders for the calendars, which illustrate the birthdays and wedding anniversaries of our valued subscribers. Work on this project continues in earnest until the printer’s deadline for copy submission, which is typically September 1 for delivery to our subscribers by January 1.

Significant space is also available - - on the calendar “carrier” - - for commercial advertising, and this too is a vital source of funds for our charities. Many local merchants support this project, year-in and year-out.

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Updated: July 6, 2005





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