Westport Lions Club Sponsors "Be the Match" - Bone Marrow Drive
Westport, MA, December 12, 2022 – In an effort to help people living with rare illnesses get life-saving bone marrow and stem cell transplants, the Westport Lions Club sponsored the club's first Bone Marrow Registry Drive on Saturday December 10th at the Westport Fire Department.
Be The Match helps patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other diseases who need a marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant. People can join the Be The Match Registry® – the world’s largest listing of potential marrow donors and donated cord blood units – contribute financially and volunteer. Patients and their families can also turn to Be The Match for support and resources before, during and after transplant. Be The Match is operated by the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP), a nonprofit organization that matches patients with donors, educates health care professionals and conducts research so more lives can be saved. For more information, visit BeTheMatch.org or call 1 (800) MARROW-2.
Westport Lions Club Celebrates 60 Years!
Westport, MA, November 16, 2021 – Starting this month, the Westport Lions Club (WLC) will embark on a yearlong celebration of its 60th Anniversary. Since 1961, the club actively participates in a wide range of local and regional health and well-being initiatives. It also serves those in need through humanitarian services, conducts fundraising for Mass Lions Eye Research Fund (MLERF), and supports higher education through its annual Westport Lions scholarship program.
The Westport Lions Club was chartered on November 16, 1961. Its first meeting, held at Jean’s Farm in North Westport, featured the induction of 38 members. One charter member, Russ Hart, is still an active Westport Lions Club member. Russ was honored at the club’s November dinner meeting. Pictured here, DG Marton Middleton presents Lion Russ Hart with his 60 year chevron.
“For 60 years, Westport Lions and members like Russ, have worked to change lives in ways both great and small,” Westport Lions Club President Claire M. Sullivan reflected. “As Russ can attest, Lions Club service is a personal journey that impacts both the people serving and the people we serve.”
The Westport Lions Club welcomes new members to apply and join a group of men and women who volunteer to support the Westport community. To celebrate its 60th Anniversary, the club will waive first-year fees and dues for new members. For more information and to download an application, visit www.westportlions.com or email westport.ma.lionsclub@gmail.com.
Westport Lions Club - Local Efforts Yield Positive Results
Westport, MA – 2021 has been a busy year as we have rolled up our sleeves to support several local community efforts:
"Clean Our Westport" Spring and Fall Trash Pick-up: Club Members along with community volunteers spread out across town to pick-up and collect roadside trash.
May - Mass Lions Eye Research Foundation Walk: On a brisk May morning, several club members set out on a trek around the South Wattupa Pond area to raise money for the Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Foundation. Their efforts generated almost $700 in donations.
June - Clam Boil at the Kozy Nook Restaurant: Another successful fundraising effort was achieved as participants enjoyed their choice of a delicious Clam Boil extravaganza or Fish & Chips Meal. All proceeds went to support charitable endeavors throughout the Westport community.
June - Westport Half Marathon: Club members volunteered and asssted Race Organizers by manning watering stations along the race route.
Westport Lions Club donate to Westport Food Bank
Westport, MA, December 22, 2020 – Westport Lions Club president Claire M. Sullivan presented Recreation Director Dana Stewart with a final check for a total donation of $855.00 for the Westport Food Bank. Proceeds were raised through Westport Lions Club members who graciously gave in lieu of the club’s annual Christmas party and Yankee Swap.
“Many of us don’t realize the impact that COVID-19 has had on all of our communities,” Westport Lions Club President Sullivan said. “Due to the pandemic, the face of food bank users has drastically changed. It now includes a wide range of families, seniors, and others who have been hit hard and never envisioned themselves as needing assistance”, Sullivan added.
The Lions Club’s donation will go towards purchasing much needed items such as canned fish and meat, fresh produce and baby formula. The monetary donation will stretch further than donated groceries as the food bank can use it to buy items in bulk. Anyone looking to support the Westport Food Bank can get detailed information by visiting the town’s Recreation Department web site at https://www.westport-ma.com/recreation-department.
Delivering Christmas Joy to Local Children
Westport, MA, December 19, 2020 – As a result of its successful Clam Boil/Fish and Chips fundraiser at the Kozy Nook Restaurant in October, the Westport Lions Club partnered with the St. Vincent de Paul Society to donate $1,750.00 in Target gift cards to 35 local children who might otherwise not have received a gift this holiday season. Westport Lions Club members Don and Linda Harrop distributed the gift cards on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Our Lady of Grace Church in Westport.
"Despite the challenges of fundraising during this difficult year we were determined to support our community this holiday season,” Westport Lions Club Secretary Harrop said. “It was gratifying to know that we could deliver a little holiday cheer for these children,” Harrop added.
L to R: Tom McDermott, President of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Linda Harrop, Secretary Westport Lions Club and Al Dupont, St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Westport Lions Club honors members with Milestone Chevron Award
Westport, MA, November 11, 2020 – The Chevron Award Program recognizes Lions for their long-term service, beginning at 10 years and continuing in five-year increments until 75 years of service.
While current circumstances prevent Chevron awards from being presented by our District Governor at a Lions Club event, we wish to acknowledge and express our deepest appreciation to the following Westport Lions Club members for their achievements:
- Linda and Donald Harrop- 15 years
- Ana and Ed Costa- 20 years
- Cindy Dupont- 25 years
- Mike Sullivan- 45 years
- Russ Hart- 55 years
A special thanks to Russ Hart. Russ was a charter member of the Westport Lions Club along with Tony Gracia and Rush Workman.
The Westport Lions Club wishes to thank all those who supported and participated in a very delicious fundraiser at the Kozy Nook Restaurant on Wednesday, October 28, 2020.
Proceeds from this event will go toward charitable endeavors throughout the Westport community in the coming months.
The Westport Lions Club wishes to thank the Kozy Nook for their efforts in helping make this event a success!
Due to pandemic restrictions, the annual Fall fundraiser for MLERF - "Blink of an Eye" Walk at Scusset Beach was cancelled. As a result, Lions District 33S needed to get creative and DG Sandra Fife and CST Nadene Martin rose to the challenge. They organized a "hit the road" campaign on October 3rd and visited each club's home town for a special meet-and-greet and to collect donations for MLERF. The Westport Lions Club raised $270 for this event.
A special thanks to Linda & Don Harrop for putting together our award winning poster display for "Most Creative Greeting".
From L to R: CST Nadene, WLC President Claire, DG Sandra and WLC Don
December, 2019
Westport Lions Club at Wes-Mac PTO 6th Annual Holiday Fair
Participants who stopped by our booth at the December Wes-Mac PTO Fair learned about the Lions Club, our fundraising efforts and how we serve the community by reaching out to help those in need.
Visitors generously helped raise money for local causes by trying their luck at winning one of our many raffle prizes.
Parents were also able to get a free vision screening for their children with our innovative SPOT™ VISION SCREENER.
Our sincere thanks to all who supported this annual holiday event!
October 26, 2019
1st Westport Lions Pub Crawl - Putting the "FUN" back in Fundraiser
With the sun shining on a picture perfect Autumn Day, the Westport Lions Club kicked off their 1st Westport Lions Club Pub Crawl. 
Organized by Michelle Rapoza, a new Lions Club member, pub crawlers enjoyed an afternoon of beverages, food, games, fun and laughter.
"All of our pub partners, including White's, Cask-n-Pig, Back Eddy and the Westport Social Club were very gracious, supportive and welcoming", commented Rapoza, "We'd especially like to thank Whaling City Transit for their generosity in providing us with transportation."
Based on the positive feedback received, The Westport Lions Club is looking to plan another pub crawl in the Spring of 2020. They are looking forward to keeping this FUNraising event going.
September 16, 2019
September Clamboil Fundraiser a Success!
The Westport Lions Club wishes to thank everyone who participated and supported our 
Clam Boil Fundraiser at the Kozy Nook Restaurant on Monday, September 16, 2019 from 4-9pm.
Participants enjoyed their choice of a delicious Clam Boil or Fish and Chips meal.
The Westport Lions Club would like to especially thank the Kozy Nook for partnering with us on this event. All proceeds will be used to support our community.
July 31, 2019
Westport Lions Club Raises Money for MLERF
The Westport Lions Club sponsored a fundraising event for Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund (MLERF), a non-profit, grass-roots research organization dedicated to restoring vision and preventing blindness. The event was held at the Texas Roadhouse Restaurant in Dartmouth.
MLERF received a 10% donation based on participating guest food purchases. Texas Roadhouse Gift cards were also available with MLERF receiving 10% of each gift card purchased through the Westport Lions Club. Texas Roadhouse diners also had an opportunity to participate in a raffle and win prizes with all proceeds going to MLERF.
A good (and delicious!) time was had by all!
December 17, 2018
Westport High School Senior Raises Money for Vision Research
When it was time for Cabot Priestner to choose his high school senior project, he wanted to do something that would be both inspiring and personally meaningful. Cabot, a seventeen-year-old student at Westport High School has lived with colorblindness (color vision deficiency, or CVD) his entire life. This led to a joint endeavor with the Westport Lions Club that supported his effort to raise $1,525 for the Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund (MLERF) and collect over 1,000 used eyeglasses to support the Lions Recycle For Sight Program.
“My goal was to do something for others who are visually impaired like me.” commented Cabot. “By raising money to help improve people’s vision, my hope was that I’d be contributing to bettering their quality of life.
For people like Cabot who are colorblind, life involves little workarounds and big compromises alike. Color blindness affects approximately 32 million Americans and can range from mild to severe. Cabot has achromatopsia, which means that he can see only about 20 hues of color. Through the use of special lenses – a discovery that has only become more widely available within the past decade, he can now see some colors that most take for granted.
Cabot appreciates how one discovery positively impacted the quality of his own life and saved him from seeing a world of dull grays and muted browns. He hopes that the money he raised will aid researchers in new discoveries. “During my freshman year, I received my first pair of EnChroma® eyeglasses, said Cabot. “Just trying them on was really transformative. The first thing that jumped out at me was looking at a tree on a autumn day and seeing, for the first time, that the leaves had turned red!”
“When I first met with Cabot, he told me why he was motivated to help.” commented Claire M. Sullivan, President of the Westport Lions Club. “Once his fund raising project was defined, he worked tirelessly to get it done. His enthusiasm was infectious and the level of community support he received was overwhelming.”
About Westport Lions Club:
The Westport Lions Club was chartered in 1961. Throughout the year, the organization sponsors fundraising events and community projects such as the Fall Arts & Craft Fair; Blood Drives; distributing "Pennies for Sight" donation canisters to many local businesses and collecting used eyeglasses (collection boxes located at the Westport Apothecary and Westport Senior Center). Learn more by visiting the club’s website at http://www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/westportma/.
About MLERF:
For over half a century, research funded by Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund, Inc. (MLERF), a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt, non-profit organization, has helped people with a myriad of eye diseases. In the past 60-plus years, MLERF has awarded grants exceeding $35 million dollars. From ideas to cures, MLERF helps researchers take the ideas of today to create the cures of tomorrow. Visit mlerfi.org for more information.
About Lions Recycle For Sight Program:
For disadvantaged people, a pair of eyeglasses can mean the difference between drowning in poverty and providing for their families. The World Health Organization estimates that 253 million people worldwide suffer from vision impairments. Lions Recycle For Sight Program regularly gathers, cleans, sorts and packages used eyeglasses for distribution to people in need in developing countries.
