'We Serve' guides Schaumburg-Hoffman Lions Club

Chartered on April 12, 1961, the Schaumburg-Hoffman Lions Club currently has 35 members. The club is part of the world's largest volunteer service organization, Lions Clubs International, guided by the association's motto "We Serve."

Meetings take place at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at Pilot Pete's, 905 W. Irving Park Road, Schaumburg, and the club welcomes interested persons to join.

Due to the COVID-19 situation, the club's April meeting was successfully held via a conference call. Members will continue conference call meetings until things return to some semblance of normalcy.

The Schaumburg-Hoffman Lions Club does many things to benefit the Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates region and beyond.

• The club works closely with Schaumburg Township, which identifies clients that require eyeglasses or reconditioned hearing aids. The club then provides those items in partnership with the Lions of Illinois Foundation.

• The Schaumburg-Hoffman Lions Club has sponsored Schaumburg Township holiday parties and summer picnics for disabled residents and senior citizens. The club also provides holiday gifts for senior citizens referred by the township.

• The club has provided financial aid for needy residents through Schaumburg Township's Community Assistance Fund, and this month has made a $500 donation.

At the Schaumburg Township Food Pantry, from left, are Diana Nelson, associate director of Welfare Services, Schaumburg Township, and Lion Mike Rapp, president, Schaumburg-Hoffman Lions Club. - Courtesy of Jo Anne Rapp

• The club also regularly supports Schaumburg Township's and the Church of the Holy Spirit's food pantries, and recently donated $1,000 to each.

• Club members participate in the Armstrong School Holiday Gift Program. For several years, Armstrong School, Hoffman Estates, social workers have referred a needy family to the club to provide holiday gifts for the children and entire household.

The Schaumburg-Hoffman Lions Club participated in the Salvation Army's Project Coat Closet at Timber Trails Elementary School in Hoffman Estates. Pictured are Lion Mike Rapp with Leslie Pietruszka, a social worker at the school. - Courtesy of Jo Anne Rapp

• For the first time last fall, the club participated in the Salvation Army's Project Coat Closet at Timber Trails Elementary School in Hoffman Estates. The club's Coat Closet provided boys and girls coats in sizes ranging from youth 4 through adult large, totaling 16 coats. The club's sponsorship also covered the costs for any additional restocking needed for the winter.

• The Schaumburg-Hoffman Lions Club provides three, $1,000 scholarships each year. One deserving student from each of the three high schools in the area -- Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, and Conant -- receives a scholarship.

• Club members host dinner several times during the year at PADS Shelter Elgin. The club has also provided funds to replace old appliances and fixtures at the facility.

The Schaumburg-Hoffman Lions Club's 2018 entry into the Septemberfest Parade in Schaumburg. - Courtesy of Vivian Leabhart

• For many years, the club has supported the Elgin Police Department's R.O.P.E. (Resident Officer Program Elgin) holiday party. The ROPE officers invite families from their assigned neighborhood to enjoy an evening at the Hemmens Cultural Center with holiday movies, food and Santa. The club sponsors the food, volunteers as servers and, with the police, ensures that all guests have an enjoyable evening.

• The club collects eyeglasses and hearing aids for recycling.

This is just a sampling of the good works Schaumburg-Hoffman Lions Club members do. The club welcomes new ideas for projects from its members.

In order to provide community services, the Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates Lions Club hosts a few primary fundraisers throughout the year. Included are managing the Bingo Tent at Schaumburg's Septemberfest over Labor Day weekend, which is the club's largest fundraiser.

Trivia for a Cause has been held since 2017. The Schaumburg-Hoffman Lions have partnered with the Schaumburg AM Rotary Club to host a trivia fundraiser that includes a silent auction and more. The next trivia game is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 3, dependent upon the COVID-19 situation.

The Schaumburg-Hoffman Lions Club held its second "Sips & Nibbles" event last November at the Trickster Art Gallery in Schaumburg to raise funds for the club's community projects. - Courtesy of Vivian Leabhart

The club held its second wine tasting and restaurant sampling event, "Sips & Nibbles," last November at the Trickster Art Gallery in Schaumburg. Wine tastings were provided by the Wine Cellar Outlet, beer tastings from a few craft breweries and food samples from some local favorites, including Pilot Pete's, Bonefish Grill, Bahama Breeze and more.

The next "Sips & Nibbles" will take place in the spring of 2021.

For information on the Schaumburg-Hoffman Lions Club, visit www.shlions.org or www.facebook.com/SHLionsClub, or contact club President Mike Rapp at rappmi@sbcglobal.net.