The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
CLUB STACKS ’CAKES FOR ‘GOOD CAUSE’
Fundraiser helps girl buy hearing transmitter
The Lorain Club pulled together on May 2 in raising more than $1,200 in support Lorain County residents with vision or hearing loss.
At a drive-thru pancake breakfast fundraiser, Lorain Lions President Barry Buck said they were able to serve about 600 people for a good cause with their team of around 50 volunteers at the Italian American Veterans Club, 4567 Oberlin Ave. in Lorain.
The service organized raised $1,275 dollars toward the purchase of a transmitter for a fouryear-old girl who is deaf.
The transmitter costs $3,200 and is not covered by insurance and will help her be able to hear and learn like other kids, he said.
The Lorain Lions donated an additional $500.
“There was one guy that wrote a check for $100. He said, ‘This is for all the good work.’ ”
— Lorain Lions President Barry Buck
Buck said the Lions were humbled and overwhelmed to be able to help the young girl named Kinsley Grace, who is starting kindergarten later this year, and were thankful for the support shown by the Lorain community and businesses who have partnered with them.
“There was one guy that wrote a check for $100,” Buck recalled. “He said, ‘This is for all the good work.’ In fact, I think people are willing to donate if they know where the money is going. And we are 100% donation, so anything that we collect has to be given back out.”
The Lorain Lions have supported the area in purchasing eyeglasses for community members in need in addition to supporting the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio and Blessing House, among other initiatives.
Past President Tom Bruno said today’s fundraiser was one of the biggest turnouts he’s seen in his years with the organization, speaking to the passion of their members for this cause.
“Barry (Buck) sent out an email yesterday that we needed all the help you can get and there were people here that I was even surprised that showed up. But they showed up.”
Converting to a drivethru fundraiser has presented some logistical challenges with the orders getting larger, but the Lions said it has gone as smooth as can be expected. They remain committed to a contactless event.
The Lorain Lions Club was founded in 1922 and has raised more than $500,000 in support of community service projects.
For more information about the Lions and their eyesight and hearing programs, contact lorainlionsohio@gmail.com. Also, donate to the program by mail at: Lorain Lions Club, P.O. Box 298, Lorain.