The Raquette River Lions Club in New York have an accomplished, proud history of 81 years of service in the Potsdam area. That means that many caring and motivated people in our own community became involved year after year since 1936 to become a team in service, making Potsdam a better place to live in many ways.  Each year they have helped in improving conditions for people and our surroundings, making a positive difference in people's lives.  The Lions organization worldwide turns 100 in 2017!  The membership currently has increased to over 1 million caring, helping members.  The primary worldwide focus of Lions Clubs everywhere is improving vision and assisting those with eyesight impairment.  To that end, the Potsdam Lions members work to preserve sight through several efforts: screening preschoolers for good vision ability at Lawrence Ave. Elementary School, Potsdam Head Start and Parishville Central, as vision scanning helps detect any early sight impairment in young children; assisting children in need to get eye exams and new eyeglasses; collect used eyeglasses through local collection sites to ship to third world countries; and support various vision programs around the state and across the U.S.  Potsdam Lions also: maintain and improve the historic area of Lions Fall Island Park behind Evans & White Ace Hardware, conduct food drives and offer financial support to area food banks; participate in Relay for Life and the SLC Cancer Fund Edward I. Moses Walk/Run, sponsor free public skating at Pine Street Arena during Christmas week, offer financial help to the efforts of various charitable organizations in Potsdam, like giving financial assistance to purchase $800 in Thanksgiving turkeys and partner with area churches to help pack and deliver over 150 Thanksgiving baskets to families in need, and award a scholarship to a deserving Potsdam Central School graduating senior.  These are just a few ways that your local Raquette River Lions Club is making a difference. Maybe you too, would like to be part of this energetic, positive, community service organization.  Potsdam Lions are seeking new members to join a dynamic, hardworking, dedicated, funloving group of individuals who strive to serve our community and the world around us to the best of our ability. We are the image of our motto, WE SERVE!!  Please, join us at our meetings and find out more, or contact us at potsdamlionsclub@gmail.com.