The Painesville Lions Club is just one club of Lions Clubs International. Worldwide, there are in excess of 1.4 million Lions in 200+ countries or regions providing help to those in need. Below are local services or service projects with which we have recently been involved.
Little Free Pantry at the Lake County Central YMCA in Painesville City
Great things happen with the idea of just one person. This is the case with our Little Free Pantry, Loated outside the side entrance at 933 Mentor Ave, Painesville, OH 44077. Our Cub Irene had her idea and the club embraced it. This pantry has been achieved through the hard work of Painesville Lions and Cubs, partnership with both the YMCA and Little Annie's Hope Train, as well as with the Maple Elementary Service Club for a huge initial food drive.
Anyone experiencing food insecurity, no matter the reason, may take what they need, no questions asked. This pantry is open 24/7. Those who are in a good place may also add to the pantry box. Food, seasonal, and hygiene items may be found in our Pantry.
Family Resource Center
Our club has established a relationship with Maribel Young at the Family Resource Center, and our club members have made several baskets of donations to serve the needs of families in Painesville City.
Cub Program backpack donation drive - March 2024: Boxes were constructed and placed at the Painesville Credit Union, Painesville United Methodist Church, Painesville City Hall, and Avery Dennison to collect backpacks for incoming new Painesville City Schools students throughout the year.
Camp Ho Mita Koda (a camp for diabetic kids in Newbury Twp., Ohio)
The Painesville Lions Club has served Camp Ho Mita Koda in many ways, including building a handicap ramp to one of the cabins, log splitting, and cleaning. In fact, the camp was awarded a $60,000 diabetes grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation to renovate and update 12 cabins at the camp! We typically have camp service days several times a year and recently helped to build a "challenge wall" on the campgrounds.
Eye Exams and Other Vision-Related Services
The Painesville Lions Club works to help people living in the area who need vision services when they can't afford them. We have been helping our neighbors in Painesville and nearby communities for the last 75+ years.
You can download an application and guidelines at lionseyeprogram.com
To apply for services, download and complete the application. Please read the guidelines. Send the application to the Painesville Lions Club, P.O. Box 633, Painesville, Ohio 44077. The application will be reviewed by the Lions Eye Program and you will be notified. We do not pay for exams or glasses received elsewhere or obtained before approval.
Used Eyeglasses Collection
The Painesville Lions Club collects used eyeglasses to be recycled for distribution to populations in need throughout the world. You can drop off your used eyeglasses at numerous collection sites around the Lake County vicinity. A few of our eyeglass donation bins have been repainted and decorated by the kids in our Cub Program!
Used Eyeglass Collection Bin Locations
Trex Plastic Film Recycling Collection
Painesville Lions Club loves this program! We help to keep plastic film such as sandwich bags, bread bags, plastic shopping bags and plastic wrap out of the landfills, and recycled into benches. 1000 lbs of plastic film collection will earn us one free bench (limit one per year), and we have already donated one bench to Camp Ho Mita Koda, a camp for diabetic children in Newbury Township, Ohio. This year we have also partnered with Painesville United Methodist Church and Steris Edoscopy to collect this plastic film.
Free Vision Screening at the Back to School Bash
the Back to School Bash was Harvey High School, and open to all Lake County school children in need for the upcoming school year.
Maple Elementary Booster Donation for the Scholastic Book Fair
In 2022, we were able to help buy books for 63 young achievers
Family Sponsorship for the Holidays
The club has sponsored local families, each with unique requests to make their holiday special.
Painesville Community Clean-Up Days
Members of the Painesville Lions Club have helped with clean-dp days for several years and painted park benches and tables at Recreation Park. For more info, see painesville.com/cleanup.