People of all ages came together recently to celebrate 50 years of the Leo Club at Richards High School in Oak Lawn and welcome its newest 19 members.
The club, a high school affiliate of Lions Clubs International, encourages students to help out in the community and take pride in service. Leo stands for leadership, experience, opportunity.
“I like that we get to help out people who are less fortunate and people who need our help,” said Kayla Hall, a junior and club member for the second year, who helped set up refreshments for the event.
Karen Lavin, one of the club sponsors with Missy O’Connor, said the roughly 30 club members have so far this quarter collected $1,500 in the Lions Clubs candy drive, decorated for homecoming and are set to launch a food drive to help school families in need.
“I think it just gives the kids a chance to make friends with one another and look for ways to address needs in the community,” said Lavin
There were newspaper stories and memorabilia neatly laid out on tables and adorning the walls for attendees to see in the school’s Performing Arts Center, where the event took place.
The club was founded at the school by Len Pearson in 1969, a Lion for decades until he died several years ago, as well as a Navy veteran who served in World War II and Vietnam War. His sons George (Skip) and Bob — the first Leo Club president in 1969 — attended and shared fond memories of their dad.
– Original Credit: School District 218
“I saw all the good work the Lions Clubs was doing and had helped out in the Candy Drive before,” said Bob Pearson, a Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars, about his dad’s influence on him as a youth. “It was a good part of his life; he was quite the humanitarian.”
Frank Kirar, district 1A Lions coordinator for Leo Clubs, said he was happy to support new inductees from the school.
“They’re the future,” said Kirar, who attended with his wife, Robin, District 1A cabinet secretary. “They’re exciting, forward-looking, energetic and ready to hopefully step up and continue the work the Lions are doing.”
New members, parents and school staff were welcomed at the event, and parents pinned the inductees with their new badges.
Keshia Hall, Kayla’s mom, said she had heard good things about the Leo Club even before her daughter came to her saying she wanted to be a member.
“I thought it was a good organization for her to be a part of because from what I knew about Leo Club it was always something good and positive,” said Hall, of Chicago Ridge.
“It is something you could go on for years talking about that you were a part of and everybody will understand about this club and what it stands for.”
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
– Original Credit: School District 218
