Sunday, August 31, 2008 — The Albemarle Lions Club hosted its annual summer VIP party for the visually impaired at the Stanly County Family YMCA Pavilion on Aug. 27. Eighty-five VIPs and escorts attended the luncheon and played Bingo for a chance to win a wide array of prizes.
Residents from Woodhaven Court, Britthaven of Piedmont, Spring Arbor, Lutheran Home and Stanly Manor were in attendance, along with other visually impaired individuals from throughout Stanly County.
Other special guests were NC Lions District Gov. Gordon McAdams of the Fairgrove Lions Club, Lions Vice-District Gov. Theresa Matthews of the Denton Lions Club, Rick Campbell, social worker supervisor for the blind from Winston-Salem; Sarah Palser, Rowan and Stanly County social worker for blind; and Frances Almond, zone chairperson. Ninety-nine-year-old Francis Dunlap was the eldest of the VIPs in attendance.
Wednesday’s luncheon marked one of two Club events planned for the Stanly County visually impaired in 2008. The annual Christmas party is scheduled for Dec. 10 at Stanly Regional Medical Center’s Family and Education Center.
Chartered in 1922, the Albemarle Lions Club is the second oldest Lions Club in North Carolina. They have a current membership of 45 men and women who meet every Wednesday at Ryan’s Family Steakhouse on the N.C. 24-27 Bypass in Albemarle.
The group’s main source of funding stems from the display of American flags in front of Albemarle businesses on nine holidays per year. Any Albemarle business can receive this service for an annual investment of $30. Currently, the Club has more than 230 flag displays within the Albemarle city limits.
For more information about the Albemarle Lions Club, to sign up for a flag display in front of your business or for membership information, contact Club President Melanie Hatley at (704) 982-9185.
