Aurora Noon Lions award $1,000 to community agencies

Two Aurora community-service agencies were awarded $500 each by the Aurora Noon Lions Club Monday, Jan. 4.

Noon Lions president Michele Needham presented $500 checks to officials of Aurora's Mutual Ground domestic violence shelter and Salvation Army Aurora Corps.

Accepting for Mutual Ground was Michelle Meyer, executive director; and Salvation Army Lieutenants Linnea and Rich Forney accepted for the Aurora Corps.

Needham made the presentations at the club's biweekly membership luncheon at Luigi's Pizza, 732 Prairie St. in Aurora.

The Forneys said the Lions' donation helped Salvation Army exceed its $250,000 red kettle drive goal.

Noon Lions volunteers collected $835 in two red kettles at Cosmopolitan Marketplace in Aurora Nov. 13, said the Forneys.

Rich Forney said the Salvation Army distributed toys and clothing to 3,500 area residents in the Army's 2015 official Angel Tree program.

Meyer expressed appreciation for the Lions' grant and also to the Salvation Army for cooperating with Mutual Ground in serving local families.

Aurora Noon Lions Background

Founded in 1921, the Aurora Noon Lions Club seeks civic-minded men and women to join members in making a difference in the Fox Valley community.

The club meets at noon on the first and third Mondays of each month at Luigi's Pizza, 932 Prairie St. in Aurora.

Club president is Michele Needham of Plainfield.

She said, "Our club gives members an opportunity to advance worthy causes, serve with friends, and become leaders in the community.

"This club means a lot to our Lions, but it means so much more to the people we serve," they said.

The Lions' motto is "We Serve," and the Aurora Noon club has lived up to it.

The Aurora Noon club supports vision and hearing-impaired initiatives while aiding community agencies such as the Salvation Army, Mutual Ground domestic violence shelter and Aurora Area Interfaith Food pantry with monetary donations and volunteers.

For more information, call (630) 921-1307.

Background: Lions Clubs International

Lions Clubs International is the largest service club organization in the world.

Its 1.35 million members in more than 46,000 clubs are serving communities in 207 countries and geographical areas around the globe.

Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired, championed youth initiatives and strengthened local communities through hands-on service and humanitarian projects.

For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit lionsclubs.org.