GALION — After a 10-year hiatus, a new and improved service organization has come back to Galion.

The Galion United Lions Club was recently formed after about 20 people met with Lions Club International members through informational meetings.

“We have 22 charter members and have been approved by Lions Club International,” said John Lizotte, a Galion resident and the club’s president.

He said there are many good people in Galion that want to improve the community.

“We will be doing a number of activities to help others throughout the community, such as an optical program for children,” Lizotte said. “We will provide eye exams and if a child needs glasses that their family cannot afford, we will be providing them.”

He said the club will host fundraisers throughout the year to be able to give back to the community.

“Every single penny we raise will stay in Galion to help the people of Galion,” Lizotte said.

The official charter meeting of the club will be Sept. 28 when the 22 original men and women will celebrate the charter night of the Galion United Lions Club (GULC) at Grace Point Church Activity Center, 683 Portland Way North, Galion at 5 p.m.

During the ceremony, Lions International Director Steve Thornton and Lions District OH-2 Governor Kenny Schuck will present the members of the new club with their official charter.

“Members of the Crestline Lions Club, who sponsored the formation of the new Galion United Lions Club, will also be on hand to congratulate members of the new club. This club is setting a new example in Lions Clubs with being very diverse and appealing to women, millennials and families,” Lizotte said.

The new Galion United Lions Club plans to become involved with Lions Clubs International’s global initiatives of vision, diabetes, hunger relief, pediatric cancer and environment while also delving into local community needs.

The club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of every month at the First Lutheran Church, 127 South Columbus Street, Galion, and the public is invited to attend.

According to a press release by Lizotte, Lions clubs are a group of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill those needs. Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service organization with nearly 1.3 million members in approximately 45,000 clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world.

“We are looking for new members throughout Galion and the public is invited to attend our meetings,” said Lizotte.

For more information or to become involved with the Galion United Lions, please contact John Lizotte at 419-631-3927, GalionUnitedLions@gmail.com or find the group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/galionunitedlionsclub.

For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit: www.lionsclubs.org.