Evening Lions Club Donates 350 Books to Support Local Students
Chris Linder, PR
The Sun Lakes (evening) Lions Club is helping young readers build skills and confidence by donating 350 books to students at Shumway Learning Academy and Picacho Elementary School.
The donation is part of the club’s Kids Need to Read project, a community effort focused on increasing access to age-appropriate books and encouraging a lifelong love of reading. The children choose their own book and get to keep them. By providing books directly to local schools, the Sun Lakes (evening) Lions Club aims to support literacy development and help ensure more children have the resources they need to learn and thrive.
Books can spark imagination, strengthen reading ability and open doors for a child’s future. The club is proud to partner with Shumway Learning Academy and Picacho Elementary School to put more books into students’ hands and support their success in the classroom.
Lions’ members deliver the books to the two schools, working with school staff to help ensure the donation meets student and classroom needs. The club’s members are committed to serving the community through hands-on projects that make a meaningful difference for local families.
Sun Lakes Evening Lions Club—John Herdt Memorial Scholarship
Chris Linder, PR
Lions Suzanne Campbell and Chris Linder attended The CED Scholarship Celebration at Perry High School. They formally presented Perry High School student Barron Vaughn with the John Herdt Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $4,000 to support his ongoing college education.
Sun Lakes (evening) Lions Club continues its long-standing commitment to community service and youth development by awarding its annual scholarship to an outstanding local student. This year’s recipient, Barron Vaugh, was honored for outstanding academic achievement, exemplary leadership, and a strong commitment to service.
The scholarship, presented at a recent Scholarship Celebration at Perry High School, aims to support graduating high school seniors as they pursue higher education. Members of the club emphasized that the award is not solely based on grades, but also on character, community involvement, and a demonstrated willingness to make a positive difference.
Investing in young people is one of the most meaningful ways we can serve our community. We are proud to support students like Barron Vaughn who exemplify the values of service, integrity, and leadership.
The Lions Club scholarship program is part of the organization’s broader mission to empower communities and improve lives. Through initiatives focused on vision care, hunger relief, youth programs, and disaster assistance, the club remains a vital force for good both locally and globally.
Sun Lakes Lions Club Supports Community Health Through Blood Donation Effort
Chris Linder
Members of the Sun Lakes (evening) Lions Club will take action to support local patients and strengthen community health by participating in a blood donation effort at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, 9248 E Riggs Rd, Sun Lakes, on June 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thus far the club has held 12 blood drives and the impact is that 284 total units of blood have been collected.
The Club’s ongoing participation helps support the need for blood donations used in medical treatments, surgeries and emergency care. The effort was conducted in partnership with Red Cross, which works to ensure there is a reliable blood supply.
Donating blood is a simple way to make a lifesaving difference. The club is proud to serve our community in a hands-on way, and we encourage others who are able to consider donating.
During these events, Lions members donate blood, volunteer to register donors, assist with check-in, help promote the drive and help raise awareness about the importance of regular donations.
Sun Lakes (evening) Lions Club continues to serve our community through projects that address local needs and improve quality of life.
Left to Right: Chandler Education Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Hewitt, CEF Board Member and Santan Jr. High Principal Jayson Phillips, SLBLC Scholarship Committee Member Jim Brotherton, Scholarship Recipient Macee Lopez, Sun Lakes Breakfast Lions President Jack Dreyer, SLBLC Scholarship Chairperson, Rachel Chiaramonte, and CUSD Liaison Leo Schlueter.
Breakfast Lions Award Scholarship to Chandler Student
Brian Curry
The Sun Lakes Breakfast Lions Club once again has awarded a scholarship to a deserving Chandler student continuing their education in the trades. This year’s recipient was Macee Lopez.
New Club Branch at Robson Reserve
Chris Linder, PR
It’s official. The Sun Lakes (evening) Lions Club has sponsored a new Lions club branch at Robson Reserve expanding opportunities for local residents to serve their community through Lions International.
On May 7 at the regular meeting of the Sun Lakes (evening) Lions Club four new club branch members were inducted which brings the total number of members to 14. The club has already started collecting eye glasses as a service project for the community.
The new Sun Lakes Robson Reserve Club Branch will meet twice a month on Monday at 2 p.m. starting June 8 at Robson Reserve, 9508 E. Riggs Road, in the Theatre on the Third Floor.
Lions club branches are part of an existing parent club, while still having the flexibility to hold independent meetings and activities. The parent club also appoints a branch liaison to support the branch and help connect it with the parent club.
Community members interested in volunteering and making a difference are invited to learn more about the new Sun Lakes Robson Reserve Club Branch by contacting president Ron Gillet at Rgillet375@gmail.com.