This year is the hundredth anniversary of the international Lions club, which has been offering people opportunities to give back to their communities since 1917. There are 1.35 million members of the volunteer organization that reside in 206 countries, according to their website. Despite the distance between groups, all branches of the Lions share a common belief: “community is what we make it.”
The Londonderry branch of the club is no different – each year, the Londonderry Lions give back to the community in a myriad of ways, some of which include giving scholarships to local students and aiding the elderly in maintaining their vision and hearing.
The Lions have been in Londonderry for 47 years, and as part of the international organization’s celebratory year, the Lions want to thank the community.
Sherman Packard, who has been involved in the club for over 20 years and has served as both Treasurer and President of the club, came up with the idea of hosting a free BBQ for Londonderry residents, “to say thank you to the citizens of Londonderry for all the support over the last 47 years.”
There will be free hot dogs and hamburgers, as well as soft drinks, at their Londonderry location on August 27, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event is sponsored by local as well as nationally known vendors, including: Enterprise, Rent-A-Car, Coca Cola, GMC, and the Peabody Funeral Home.
“We’d like to invite anybody who lives in Londonderry to stop by,” Packard said.
The Lions will be handing out tickets during Old Home Day – you don’t have to pay for them, they are just an indication of how many people the Lions can expect to attend their BBQ.
They are also still looking for more sponsors, and if a local business wishes to participate, they can contact Packard at 603-432-3391. Those that sponsor this event will get a t-shirt further thanking them for their contribution.
The Lions look forward to seeing members of the town and thanking them for their continued support. To find out more information, or to let them know you’re interested in going, find them at Londonderry’s Old Home Day on August 18.