Club Projects

East Bay Turkey Trot

The East Bay Turkey Trot: A Thanksgiving Tradition

Annually, on Thanksgiving morning, everyone's community spirit shines at the East Bay Turkey Trot, hosted by the Bristol County Lions Club! This family-friendly event has become a beloved holiday tradition, bringing neighbors together for a refreshing run or walk through the scenic beauty of Colt State Park in Bristol, RI.

Whether you are a competitive runner or just looking to earn that extra slice of pumpkin pie, the course offers something for everyone. The route takes participants around the park's beautiful paved paths, with views of the bay that are spectacular even in the crisp November air.

Why We Trot The East Bay Turkey Trot is more than just a race; it is a fundraiser with a mission. Proceeds benefit the East Bay Food Pantry and the Bristol County Lions local charities.

Event Highlights:

The Course: A family-friendly loop around Colt State Park. Complete it twice for a full 5K or once for a shorter "kiddie trot."
Festive Fun: Participants are encouraged to dress in their best Thanksgiving-themed costumes—look out for turkeys, pilgrims, and gravy boats!
Community Support: Proceeds and food donations directly support local hunger relief efforts through the East Bay Food Pantry.
Holiday Cheer: After crossing the finish line, join fellow "turkeys" for a warm celebration of hot chocolate, community, and gratitude before heading home for the big meal.

Join Us! Help the Bristol County Lions Club continue our motto of "We Serve" by participating in this annual event. It’s the perfect way to start your holiday with a grateful heart and a helping hand.

Vision for Success: Annual School Vision Screenings

At the Bristol County Lions Club, we believe that every child deserves the chance to see the world—and their schoolwork—with clarity. Since 80% of a child’s learning is visual, undetected vision problems can be a major barrier to academic success and self-esteem.

Bristol County Lions Club’s annual vision screening program is a cornerstone of the club’s "We Serve" mission. The club works in partnership with the Rhode Island Lions Sight Foundation (RILSF) and the Bristol-Warren Regional School District to ensure students can see clearly to learn.

To meet this need, our dedicated Bristol County Lions volunteers partner annually with the Bristol-Warren Regional School District and local school nurses to provide state-of-the-art vision pre-screenings for students in Bristol and Warren.

How the Program Works

Using advanced, non-invasive technology like the Welch Allyn Spot Vision Screener, our trained volunteers can screen a student in seconds from a comfortable distance. This "camera-like" device quickly detects common issues that traditional eye charts might miss, including:

Nearsightedness and Farsightedness
Astigmatism
Anisometropia (unequal refractive power)
Amblyopia (lazy eye) risk factors

Making an Impact

This program is provided at no cost to the schools or families. When the screening device flags a potential issue, the school nurse is notified to follow up with the parents and recommends a formal exam with an eye care professional.

Our goal is early intervention. By identifying vision disorders in the elementary and middle school years, we help ensure that students receive the corrective care they need before a minor issue becomes a permanent struggle.

Beyond the Screening

The Lions' commitment doesn't end at the school doors. For families who may struggle with the cost of follow-up care, the Bristol County Lions Club and the RI Lions Sight Foundation offer programs to help provide eye exams and eyeglasses to children in need.

"We are proud to stand alongside our local educators and nurses to provide this free, simple 30-second screening can change the trajectory of a child's entire school year." — Bristol County Lions Club

Fast Facts for Parents:

Who is screened? Typically, students in Kindergarten, Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9, as well as new students to the district.
Is it an eye exam? No, it is a pre-screening designed to identify students who should seek a comprehensive medical exam from an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
How much does it cost? The service is 100% free, funded by our club’s local fundraising efforts.

Vision for Success: Annual School Vision Screenings

At the Bristol County Lions Club, we believe that every child deserves the chance to see the world—and their schoolwork—with clarity. Since 80% of a child’s learning is visual, undetected vision problems can be a major barrier to academic success and self-esteem.

To meet this need, our dedicated Lions volunteers partner annually with the Bristol-Warren Regional School District and local school nurses to provide state-of-the-art vision pre-screenings for students in Bristol and Warren.

How the Program Works

Using advanced, non-invasive technology like the Welch Allyn Spot Vision Screener, our trained volunteers can screen a student in seconds from a comfortable distance. This "camera-like" device quickly detects common issues that traditional eye charts might miss, including:
Nearsightedness and Farsightedness
Astigmatism
Anisometropia (unequal refractive power)
Amblyopia (lazy eye) risk factors
"We are proud to stand alongside our local educators and nurses to be the 'Knights of the Blind' for the next generation. A simple 30-second screening can change the trajectory of a child's entire school year." — Bristol County Lions Club

Fast Facts for Parents:
Who is screened? Typically, students in Kindergarten, Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9, as well as new students to the district.
Is it an eye exam? No, it is a pre-screening designed to identify students who should seek a comprehensive medical exam from an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
How much does it cost? The service is 100% free, funded by our club’s local fundraising efforts.
Making an Impact

This program is provided at no cost to the schools or families. When the screening device flags a potential issue, the school nurse is notified to follow up with the parents, recommending a formal exam with an eye care professional.

Our goal is early intervention. By identifying vision disorders in the elementary and middle school years, we help ensure that students receive the corrective care they need before a minor issue becomes a permanent struggle.

Beyond the Screening

The Lions' commitment doesn't end at the school doors. For families who may struggle with the cost of follow-up care, the Bristol County Lions Club and the RI Lions Sight Foundation offer programs to help provide eye exams and eyeglasses to children in need.

Lions Club International Peace Poster Contest

For over three decades, Lions Clubs International has challenged young people worldwide to express their visions of peace through the International Peace Poster Contest. This global competition encourages students ages 11 to 13 to think deeply about global tolerance and express their hopes for a more harmonious world through original artwork.

Each year, the Bristol County Lions Club partners with Our Lady of Mount Carmel School to participate in the contest, centered on the timely theme. Such as "Together As One." Under the guidance of their art teacher, students create vibrant posters depicting how unity and compassion can bridge divides in the spirit of the chosen annual theme.

If your youth art program (school or community) is interested in participating, please email us at bristolcountylions@gmail.com.

Thanksgiving Baskets

For decades, the Bristol County Lions Club has assembled Thanksgiving Baskets for local individuals and families in need with the help of local businesses, sponsors, Lions Club members, and the club's fundraising efforts. If you are interested in becoming a Sponsor for this project, please email us at bristolcountylions@gmail.com.

Adopt-A-Family

Each year, the Bristol County Lions Club participates in a program that helps local families in need have a wonderful Christmas, complete with presents under the tree from Santa for the children and their parents. This is made possible through the club's fundraising efforts and generous donations from its membership and the community. If you would like to donate to this annual giving project, please email us at bristolcountylions@gmail.com.