ABOUT THE HAMMONTON LIONS CLUB
Chartered on August 20, 1963, the Hammonton Lions Club is proud to celebrate more than six decades of dedicated service to our community. During the 2017–2018 club year, we marked our 62nd year of service with strong leadership and continued commitment to the Lions motto, “We Serve.” Our officers during that year included Rebecca Villani as President, Michael Villani as First Vice President, Lisa Seitles as Second Vice President, Lisa Frederico as Secretary, and Lori Orsi as Treasurer.
The club is currently made up of over 80 active members, a vibrant mix of men and women from all walks of life. Our members bring with them a wide variety of skills, careers, and talents, all united by a shared passion for helping others and strengthening our community through service.
As part of Lions Clubs International, the Hammonton Lions are proud to be members of the world’s largest service organization, made up of over 1.4 million members in more than 200 countries. While our core mission began with the preservation and restoration of sight, it has grown to include a broader range of global causes. Today, our work supports not only vision care, but also hunger relief, environmental stewardship, diabetes support, youth empowerment, humanitarian service, disaster relief, and pediatric cancer assistance. These priorities reflect the ever-growing needs of our local and global communities.
Each year, the Hammonton Lions Club contributes approximately $25,000 toward local, district, and international programs. Our fundraising efforts are driven by several major initiatives, including the Great Cash Giveaway raffle, our participation in Hammonton’s Red, White & Blueberry Festival, the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Festival, and the proceeds from our popular Amazon gift card raffle.
Our impact in the community is far-reaching. We collect eyeglasses and hearing aids for recycling, conduct vision screenings, and provide eye exams and eyeglasses for those in need. We support youth sports programs and school activities, collect food for local pantries, and donate personal care items to Covenant House, a shelter for homeless teens and young adults. Our members also volunteer with Field of Dreams, an organization that gives children with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy team sports in a supportive environment.
The club is also involved outside the local community by donating food to the St. Christopher’s Hospital food pantry and participating in a Secret Santa program to support families facing pediatric cancer. Each year, we adopt a family and provide gifts for them to open during the holiday season, offering comfort and joy during a difficult time.
In addition to our work with youth and health-related causes, we sponsor a local Leo Club, helping young people in Hammonton grow as leaders and active members of their community through service. We are proud to have created and maintained Leo Park, a welcoming outdoor space for families, and have erected several flagpoles throughout town. The club also participates in Atlantic County’s Adopt-A-Road program, as well as in local events such as Recycling Central and National Night Out.
One of our signature events is Springfest, a free community celebration held each March or April, with all proceeds benefiting Breakthrough T1D in support of juvenile diabetes research. In 2024, we raised $14,100 during Springfest—an incredible accomplishment made possible by the support of our fellow Lions, Leos, and community partners. Special thanks go to Lion Bob Capoferri, our major sponsor, whose team brought joy to families with train rides and fun for all ages. We are also grateful to the Easter Bunny for making an appearance and bringing smiles to the children, and to our Springfest Committee for their hard work in planning and executing a truly successful event.
The Hammonton Lions Club played an important role in the town’s Sesquicentennial Celebration in 2016–2017. To mark Hammonton’s 150th anniversary, we raised funds through the sale of a commemorative throw blanket featuring iconic locations from our town’s past and present. Proceeds from the sale helped us host three free concerts in Leo Park and to commission the creation of a beautiful wooden time capsule, built by students in the graphic design and industrial arts programs at Hammonton High School. The capsule was dedicated at a special ceremony in May 2017 and will be opened during Hammonton’s bicentennial celebration in 2066. Both the throw and the time capsule are proudly displayed in Town Hall.
As we look to the future, the Hammonton Lions Club remains committed to growing in service, impact, and community involvement. We aim to expand our membership, enhance our use of digital tools and media, and build strong partnerships with local businesses and organizations. Together, we will continue to make a lasting difference—because where there is a need, there is a Lion.
