LEO Club embrace shopping experience

Mary Lee Tucker Clothe-A-Child shoppers have been on the go providing clothes and other necessities for children this winter season.

Many of the shoppers participating in the program are your everyday citizens in Lorain County, while others are working together in groups or as teams to help support and clothe children. The LEO Club of Lorain High School is one of the many groups that’s volunteering this year from the high school and has already shopped once so far.

Lori Pyers-Goodwin, the club’s advisor and special needs teacher at Lorain High, said this is the club’s second year participating, and they hope to shop a few more times during this season.

The LEO Club, part of volunteer network Lions Club International, has been at Lorain High School for two years after many students were buddies to others in the Special Olympics, said Pyers-Goodwin.

The students gave their service in other events, so, Pyers-Goodwin thought the club would be great to have in order for them to donate more of it, she said. Other than Mary Lee Tucker, members of the club have participated in helping with the Second Harvest Food Bank, different church food pantries, their partner Lions Club, Special Olympics and more.

Pyers-Goodwin added that club members have been ambassadors to new students at the high school to show them around and help them feel comfortable in a new setting. She said they also have been assisting many new students coming from Puerto Rico after the hurricane, as well.

During the LEO Club’s first Mary Lee Tucker shopping trip this year, Pyers-Goodwin said she had over 17 members of the club each paired up with one child. One of the LEO members was someone who takes shopping to a whole other level and was paired with a child who had the same interests, she said when explaining how cute it is to see shoppers and children connect with one another.

“Some of my LEO Club members were one of those kids (who were shopped for), they understand what it’s like,” Pyers-Goodwin said. “It hit home knowing that it benefited to them and now they’re giving back. That speaks volumes of our members.”

Alexis Sexton, a senior at Lorain High and president of the LEO Club, said she was one of those children

who was shopped for when she was younger. She said it felt great to help children who have been in her position. This was her second year as a member of the club and she said she loves helping people throughout the community and giving back.

When the club went shopping, Sexton said she picked out clothes for a little boy who needed some clothing for his school uniform. She said he had an amusing time when he was trying different clothes on to see what he liked best.

“It’s very impressive that so many children in the area get to benefit this,” Pyers-Goodwin said. “Sadly, this world isn’t perfect, but this is needed. There is a lot of need out there and how much Mary Lee Tucker accomplishes, is amazing.”

Both Sexton and Pyers-Goodwin said they hope to shop a few more times this year. Pyers-Goodwin added that the LEO Club loves to participate and see who can get the most amount of clothes for the child they are shopping for, at the limited amount they are given.

After she graduates, Sexton said she would love to continue to participate with Mary Lee Tucker and other service programs while she is a neuroscience major at Wright State University.

“Even while I’m gone, I can’t wait to see what else the LEO club can do in the future,” Sexton said.

“Sadly, this world isn’t perfect, but this is needed. There is a lot of need out there and how much Mary Lee Tucker accomplishes, is amazing.” — Lori Pyers-Goodwin