IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
For the months of August through December 2024, Plano Early Lions is conducting a trial change of meeting time.
We will meet on the 1st and 3rd MONDAY NIGHTS at 6pm for dinner, with the meeting at 6:30. We are hoping that this might fit the schedules of more people. The location is still the same: Norma's Cafe, 605 W. 15th Street, Plano. Please join us!
There will be no meeting on December 16. Startiing in January, we have decided to return to our Saturday morning schedule. We will order breakfast at 8am and the meeting will begin at 8:30. Visit us and your breakfast will be on us!
Congratulations to Lion Angelo Scarpitta who was named the Grassroots Lion for Plano Early LIons at the District Banquet last night!
Angelo is the definition of a Grass Roots Lion. He is always involved in a project, whether coordinating our Meals on Wheels initiative, becoming a board member of the Lions Sight and Tissue Foundatino, being a bus driver scheduler for the Lions Signt and Tissue Foundation, or becoming Vice President and Membership Chair for our club. He is a worker bee that gets things done!
GLASSES TO UKRAINE!
Plano Early Lions Club member, Jeffrey Carter, and Partner-in-Service Sue delivered recycled prescription eyeglasses, reading glasses, non-prescription sunglasses, usable eyeglass cases to a warehouse for shipment to Ukrainian refugees. There was a pallet full of materials, probably at least 3,000 items.
This project was completed in collaboration with Texas Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers in Midland, Conroe, and Watauga along with Lions Clubs in Plano, 2-X1, Hillsboro, and Conroe, Texas.
PELC IS GROWING!
Plano Early LIons welcomes new member Bob Harris.
Bob was a Lion years ago and has decided to Serve with us again!
Bob was sworn in by our District Governor Prakash Gautam. Welcome Bob!
Shown below: Bob Harriss, sponsor Mark Snider, District 2-X1 Governor Prakash Gautam
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PLANO BACK TO SCHOOL FAIR
PELC members welcomed Plano ISD students and their parents a the PISD Back-to-School Fair.
We distributed eyeglass cases and talked to parents about the Texas Lions Camp, a
residential camp for children with physical disabilities, Type 1 Diabetes, and Cancer.
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PELC INSTALLS NEW OFFICERS
In late June we held our Awards Ceremony and installed our new officers for the new 2023-2024 Lion year. Check our our list of officers in the menu at left!
Pictured are winners of Texas Lions Foundation Awards Alan Kuebler and Angelo Scarpitta, LIon of the Year winner Jeff Carter,
Melvin Jones Awards presented by new President Tom Seibert: Lynne Garriss, Dora Harrington, and Jeff Carter
PELC AWARDS $5000 SCHOLARSHIP
Scholarship Chair Angelo Scarpitta presents
a $5000 Scholarship to William Woods.
Will is an Eagle Scout from Troop 221,
one of the troops we sponsor.
He will attend Baylor University in the fall.
Congratulations Will!
DISTRIBUTING READING GLASSES TO THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD THEM
Last Saturday, Lions Anna and Tom (shown) and Lions Trevor and Jeff distributed reading glasses and cases at Hope Restored Mission in Plano.
THIS WEEK AT PLANO EARLY LIONS CLUB
Our speaker today was Lion Italy Lunev, a member of Oak Cliff LIons Club who was born in Russia.
He spoke with us about Russia and the Ukraine War. Thank you Lion Vitaly!
Club President Lynne Garriss also presented Lion Danny Fletcher with
the International President's Certificate of Appreciation for Service. This award was announced at the District 2-X1 Convention.
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PRESENTATION TO JULIEN C. HYER YOUTH CAMP
At our meeting last Saturday, we were privileged have as our speaker, VDG Woody Mathews from
District 2-E2. He talked to us about Julien C. Hyer Youth Camp, an exchange to promote good will.
Every year they have campers from all over the world to experience Texas and promote understanding.
The Plano Early Lions Club was proud to contribute $150 to the camp.
SCOUTING FOR FOOD in Chisholm Trail District BSA
Plano Early Lions Club is proud to be the Charter Organization for Troops 25 and 221, and Pack 25 of Scouts BSA. We contributed to their Scouting for Food drive which ended Feb. 12.
Here is a recap of what was gathered and contributed to God's Pantry.
- 16,000 – Net total of estimated food items taken to God’s Pantry (Plano)
- 18,800 – total estimated food items received and processed
- 15% - estimate of items processed that were expired or damaged (thus removed)
- $240 – cash bills and a couple of large handfuls of coins received and donated to God’s Pantry
The Director of God’s Pantry was overwhelmed with the outpouring of care received from the community and very appreciative of all the hard work from everyone involved!
Great work, Scouts!
THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO SUPPORTED OUR APPLEBEE'S FUNDRAISER ON OCT. 15!
The funds we raised will support our first Adult Eye Clinic in November. Thanks to you, someone who can't afford eyeglasses will now be able to see!
JULY 16 OFFICER INSTALLATION & AWARDS
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We installed our Board of Directors for the new Lion year.
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We gave awards for Outstanding Service to Jeff Carter, Tom Garriss, Mark Snider, Dora Harrington,Tom Seibert and Arthur Young. Tom Seibert also received a Caring Matters award and Arthur Young also was named the Lion of the Year .
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We awarded our annual scholarship to Bryan Chew, a Scout in Troop 25, which we sponsor.
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Plano Early Lions Club was glad to see you all at Plano All American 4th!
Please stop by our tent at Plano's All American 4th:
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Plano Earliy Lions Club members will be on hand to:
https://www.facebook.com/events/726128215046504/
TEXAS LIONS EYEGLASS RECYCLING CENTER
Several Plano Early Lions delivered a truck load of used eyeglasses to
Texas Eyeglass Recycling Center in Midland, TX. Shown are the
facility, the sorting room, the sorted glasses ready to be sent out
and the map of places that glasses have been sent to.
WE SERVE.
INDUCTION OF NEW MEMBER AND CHECK PRESENTATION
On Saturday April 2, we inducted a new Lion, Trevor Liang!
Trevor is also a Committee Member of BSA Troop 221, which
Is one of the troops which we charter. Shown L-R are President
Lynne Garriss, Sponsor Tom Garriss, Trevor, Club Historian
Arthur Young. Lion Arthur presented Trevor with a Helen
Keller quarter, a symbol of the vision service work we do.
We were also visited by Colleen Campbell, Executive Director
of Assistance Center of Collin County, who shared the work
that her organization does. Club President Lynne presented
her with a check for $500 from Plano Early Lions Charities!
We Serve!
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ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL EYE CLINIC!
On Saturday, Plano Early Lions held an eye clinic at Forman Elementary in Plano.
Our eye doctor examined 31 students, who were fitted for eyeglasses free of charge.
Thank you to those Lions who participated, as well as some members of
Scouts BSA Troop 21 and several school nurses from PISD schools.
Here a student selects frames for his new glasses!
Lions District 2-X1 Global Leadership Chair Pamela Baker spoke to our club
this morning. She likened Leadership to using Legos. Legos can be used
creatively to put the blocks together, just as leaders can combine
members with assorted talents to work together to achieve.
DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE?
Thank you to PISD nurses for spearheading a PISD “Do you see what I see” holiday drive to recycle used eyeglasses!
These glasses will be sent to the Texas Eyeglass Recycling Center in Midland, TX, where they will be cleaned and sorted, then sent out to fit those who can't afford glasses in rural US and abroad!
Plano Early Lions Host Breakfast Fundraiser
These smiling faces greeted guests at our fundraiser, which was held at
Applebee's Saturday Nov. 20. We were able to raise a large amount
which will be used to start an eyeglass clinic for adults who can't afford eyeglasses!
WE SERVE!
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Lions District Governor Esmerelda Rodriguez Visits Plano Early Lions Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021
LEFT TO RIGHT: Going the Extra Mile winner Lion Mike Rogers, Unsung Hero winner Club Treasurer Tom Garriss,
Sparkplug winner Dora Harrington, and Bottom, Shining Star winner Lion Jeff Carter.
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Plano Early LIons and one of our BSA troops,
Troop 25 put together 186 bags for the homeless.
We Serve!
IPP Richardson Installed as Zone Chair
We Serve.
Plano Early Lions member Jack Durnin donated
a nearly new ping pong table to Boys and Girls Club of Plano.
Lions Tom Richardson, Mike Rogers, and Jeff Carter delivered
and presented the table to the Boys and Girls Club.
JUNE 19 OFFICER INSTALLATION
AND NEW MEMBER INDUCTION
Feb. 20, 2021
WE SERVE. This week Plano Early Lions Club donated $3000
to Minnie's Food Pantry in Plano, which will feed many
of the hungry in Plano!
DID YOU KNOW? 
Plano Early Lions regularly collect gently used eyeglasses to be cleaned, sorted, and given to those in need. We pass these on to the Texas Eyeglass Recycling Center in Midland where the prescriptions are measured and they are sorted by prescription. Many of them are sent to Chihuahua, Mexico for those who cannot afford glasses. Each day-7 days a week 1500 pairs are fitted, totaling over 500,000 pairs per year! How can you help? Scroll down to our list of places where you can drop off your gently used glasses. You can help others greatly by passing on glasses you no longer use!
WE CONTINUE TO SERVE DURING A PANDEMIC!
LIONS SERVE OUR COMMUNITY
Lions volunteerat The Fair Park vaccination site. This photo was made Jan 23..
At Left is Plano Early LIons President Tom Richardson.
PLANO EARLY LIONS CLUB: We Serve!
Even though many are staying home, Plano Early Lions are still active (while staying socially distanced)! Today we delivered about 3000 pairs of eyeglasses to Lion Gene Lefevers who will transport them to Texas Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center to be cleaned and sorted by prescription. Then they will be sent out to help those who can't afford new glasses! Thank you Plano community for your contributions!
Plano Early Lions Club
This site is built in conjunction with the Lions Club International
and, on the right, contains links to the activities our our international organization.
Please check back regularly to see what we are doing!
Plano Early Lions Step Back from Parades
We regret that the time has come for the Plano Early Lions Club
to step aside from its service role as organizer in the City of Plano
Christmas and Independence Day parades. It was a good 30
year run, but we are no longer able to meet the needs of a
growing city government and believe it is time to let others bring a
fresh look to these fun city events. We would like to thank the
City of Plano and the Plano Independent School District for their
wonderful collaboration with us over the years in service to the
citizens of Plano. We hope that the City or another civic group
will continue to host future parades because they are fun and help
us all demonstrate Civic Pride in our City and our Country, where
we live and work. They are an important part of our healthy,
vibrant community life and we are very sad that we are no longer
able to continue this tradition.
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DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, THE PLANO EARLY LIONS CLUB
WILL HOLD VIRTUAL MEETINGS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
If you are interested in visiting, please email texlynne@aol.com for a Zoom link.
As of Sept. 2, 2019 we will be meeting in a new location.
We will meet on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays at:
Norma's Cafe
605 W. 15th Street
Plano, TX 75075
Norma's is located on 15th Street between Alma and Hwy. 75.
Scroll down to see what we have coming up!
PLANO EARLY LIONS CLUB Used Eyeglass Collection Locations
1st Eyecare 2313 W. Parker Rd 972-612-2015
Advanced Eyecare 18170 Dallas Pkwy #402, Plano 972-931-2020
Americas Best 701 N Central Expy #300469-298-3416
Bank of America 2380 Performance Dr, Richardson 972-633-6980
Bank of America 15110 Dallas Pkwy, Addison 972-861-9900
Bunch Family Eye Care 3200 East 14th #400 972-422-2020
Complete Family Eye Care 2100 Hedgecoxe #140972-527-2020
Dallas Youth Optical 6000 W. Spring Creek #140
972-985-9777
Eye Care of Texas 305 W. Spring Creek 103-A972-424-5811
The Eye Place 708 E 15th Street 972-509-8555
EyeQ Vision 8380 Warren Pkwy, Frisco 972.668.3131
Frisco Eye Associates 7638 Stonebrook Pkwy, Frisco 972-712-1010
Frisco Eye Care 2930 Preston Rd, #905 972-334-9095
Key-Whitman 3060 Communications Pkwy, #205 972-7692020
Lakeside Vision 4012 Preston Road #500972-985-3638
Lasik Plus Vision Center 2108 Dallas Pkwy 972-378-3937
Legacy Vision 6909 Coit Rd #200 972-208-5757
Lone Star Vision 5425 W. Spring Creek, # 145 972-378-4104
Marshall Eye Care 17370 Preston Rd, #410, Dallas 972-250-2020
Omni Eye Care 5926 W. Parker, #400 972-985-7888
Plano Eye Associates 5900 Coit 972-985-1412
Plano Eye Center 4401 W. 15th 972-964-3937
Plano Habitat ReStore 2060 W. Spring Creek
Robert Scharf, OD 1645 Dorchester 972-596-3328
Rosemore Eye Care 4637 Hedgecoxe 972-596-2224
The Vision Source of Plano 4160 W Spring Creek 972-612-2099
VisionWorks 810 North Central Expy 972-422-1187
VisionWorks 4909 W Park, #135 972-867-8061
WalMart 425 Coit (at Bush)
WalMart 6001 Cent. Expy
WalMart 1700 Dallas Parkway
West Plano Optical 4100 W 15th #214 972-867-7777
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Plano Early Lions served a Pancake Breakfast April 20. Thank you to those who supported us!
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Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.
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