What do 13,000 lunches, 5,600 pairs of eyeglasses and 6,600 pounds of soft plastic say about a community? In Greater Williamsburg, they say we care. They say we show up. They say we serve.
These numbers aren’t just statistics; they are real stories. They reflect the heart of the James City Lions Club: to serve with purpose in the areas of screening vision and hearing, relieving hunger, encouraging young talent and caring for the environment. Most of what we do is a shared venture with the community. Let’s look at what we accomplished together in the June 2024-July 2025 service year.
Screening vision and hearing
Eyeglass recycling: In the Lions’ 2024-25 service year, 5,600 donated eyeglasses found new life. Nearly 400 pairs of reading glasses went to the Lackey Free Clinic, Olde Towne Medical and Dental Center, the Salvation Army and a William & Mary medical brigade mission to Honduras. Also, 1,900 pairs of glasses were in good condition and were sterilized, prescription-tested and then bagged for distribution overseas, primarily to organizations such as Doctors Without Borders. The remaining pairs that could not be reused were sent for recycling to ReSpecs in California.
Vision and hearing screenings: JCLC volunteers screened nearly 2,000 school children for vision issues, referring 264 for further care. Hearing screenings at school-sponsored events were conducted for 88 children and 81 adults with nine adults being referred. At the Lions Eye Clinic (established and outfitted by the JCLC) within the Olde Towne Medical and Dental Center, 165 adults received free eye examinations from Lions-organized volunteer optometrists.
Relieving hunger
Summer Meals for Kids program: During the school year, eligible children receive free or reduced-fee lunches; those meals end with the school year. For 10 weeks, Williamsburg Meals on Wheels organizes local faith groups to prepare lunches five days a week for approximately 300 children. The James City Lions deliver those meals to 10 motels, apartments and a church. In the 2024 summer, 56 Lions delivered 13,000 lunches.
Meals for seniors: Every Monday throughout the year, three JCLC Lions prepare hot luncheon meals for 150 local senior citizens that Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver.
FISH foodbank shoppers: To help fill the FISH pantry for neighbors in need, JCLC Lions supported FISH pantry needs by shopping monthly at the Peninsula Foodbank in Hampton. Five Lions and spouses each shopped once a month at the foodbank and took the food to FISH for distribution. Last year, Lions shoppers delivered over 16,000 pounds (over 8 tons) of food from the Foodbank to FISH.
Caring for the environment
Soft plastic recycling: Twice a month, the Lions staffed soft plastic “drop-off drive-thrus” to keep soft plastic items out of landfills and waterways. This year the Lions collected 6,600 pounds of soft plastic (dropped off by 1,300 cars) at the James City County Recreation Center and at Colonial Towne Plaza.
Sneakers recycling: Sneakers were added to the recycling project this year. About 2,100 sneakers were donated with 900 refurbished for reuse and 1,200 pairs recycled.
Road clean-up: Twice this year, James City Lions walked Monticello Avenue (from News Road to Treyburn Drive) picking up and bagging trash for VDOT disposal.
Engaging local youth
The youth projects are not about the numbers. The Lions recognize that finding ways to engage and support young people is about building the future by meeting youth where they are now. This year, the JCLC awarded $8,000 in college scholarships to four local high school seniors. In partnering with Hornsby Middle School for the International Peace Poster Contest, Lions encouraged young artists to envision a better world through their artistic talent. And, in co-sponsoring (with the Williamsburg Host Lions Club) the Bland Music Scholarship Competition, the JCLC offered talented youth a stage on which to shine and a path to further recognition.
Showing gratitude
To support these activities and provide donations to a variety of nonprofit organizations that are essential to the life of those in need in this area, the JCLC asked for community financial support and received it. The Spring Festival and the Charity Golf Tournament fundraisers were successful through generous major sponsors including Chesapeake Bank and Chesapeake Wealth Management; Williamsburg Realty; Cheri Mulhare, Realtor; Acclaimed Appearance; Liz Moore & Associates; The Prescription Shoppe; Williamsburg Moose Lodge 757; Chase Roofing; Ford’s Colony Realty; Williamsburg Landing; National Exterminating Company Inc.; Verena at the Reserve; Williamsburg Memorial Park; Dynamo Electric; and many others. Their support — and yours — fuels every project, every delivery, every moment of service.
So, what do these numbers mean? They mean we live in a place where kindness is more than a sentiment — it’s a practice. The James City Lions Club thanks every neighbor, sponsor and volunteer who helps make Greater Williamsburg a community that doesn’t just talk about service — we live it.
Rachel Williams is president of the James City Lions Club.
https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/07/commentary-lions-by-the-numbers/
