Sun Lakes (Evening) Lions Club Mentioned in the Digital Canyon State Lion Publication
Sun Lakes (evening) Lions was mentioned in the digital Canyon State Lion Newsletter (June 2025, Vol. 300, No. 6), the official publication of the Lions of Arizona, Multiple District 21, celebrating over 100 years of Lions service to the people of Arizona, www.azlions.org.
Six members of the Sun Lakes (evening) Lions Club, Larry Palmer, Ruth Palmer, Chris Linder, Ron Gillett, Bryan Strickland, and Sally Strickland, proudly represented their club at this year’s “Make Your Mark” Multiple District 21 Lions Convention. They joined fellow Lions from across the state for a weekend of learning and networking.
Kids Need to Read
Christine Linder
Lions have taken up the challenge of promoting reading worldwide. Sun Lakes (evening) Lions Club participates in this challenge by donating books and magazines to Title I schools. This year the club donated several hundred books to two schools for the Kids Need to Read Program. The two schools were Picacho Elementary School in Picacho, Ariz., and Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary in Chandler, Ariz.
The Reading Action Program is the Lions commitment to focus on strengthening global literacy. The program calls for Lions to organize service projects and activities that underscore the importance of reading.
Lions Clubs around the world have responded with a broad variety of community-based, person-to-person efforts. Some have helped develop after-school reading programs. Others have volunteered to read to children at local libraries, work as reading tutors, or donate books and computers. Whatever the project, Lions say the work is deeply satisfying.
Sun Lakes (Evening) Lions Club 2024-25 Year in Review
Chris Linder
Our club held its last official meeting on June 5. At this meeting we reviewed our year of service to our community and beyond. We provided direct support locally to the following:
Picacho Elementary School with school supplies and “Kids Need to Read” books
Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary School with “Kids Need to Read” books
Skyline school in Chandler with school supplies
Pensar Academy, Picacho Elementary School, Navarrete Elementary School, Chandler Lil’ Explorers, Risen Savior Church pre-K through 1st grade, and Ak-Chin Casino employees with vision screening
Hope Women’s Center in Coolidge with much-needed supplies. We also provided financial support to fund the building of a perimeter wall.
John Volken Academy in Gilbert with men’s clothing
The Red Cross with four blood drives, in partnership with the local Methodist church (using their facility)
AZCEND Food Bank with various fruits picked by club volunteers
We provided direct financial support to the following organizations:
Lions Club International Foundation – Disaster Relief
Childhood Cancer
Lions Camp Tatiyee (for physically challenged individuals)
Lions Vision & Hearing
Melvin Jones Memorial (founder of Lions Clubs International)
C Kirby Smith Youth Exchange
Leader Dog for the Blind
Guide Dogs of the Desert
Adaptive Water Sports (for physically challenged individuals)
Sun Lakes Sheriff’s Posse
Chandler AZCEND Food Bank
Neighbors Who Care
Veterans Stand Down
Veterans Volunteer Services
John Herdt Senior Scholarship (Perry High School)
HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Award)
The Sun Lakes (evening) Lions Club wishes to thank each and every one of you for your support and generosity through your participation in our club’s Fly the Flag™ program. It is you who helps make all this support possible. If you would like to become a member of our Lions Club and serve the community, or to order a U.S. and/or military flag, please call 480-352-8076.
Where there is a need, there is a Lion!
Serving the Community
Christine Linder
The Sun Lakes (evening) Lions Club had the opportunity to serve our community by delivering donated school supplies to Picacho Elementary School. If you would like to make a donation to Picacho Elementary, please call 480-352-8076 for more information.