Naperville Lions fundraising events raise about $60,000
In what was thought to be a very difficult year due to COVID-19, the Naperville Noon Lions Club have completed a successful annual raffle and virtual 5K Turkey Trot thanks to the support of the citizens of Naperville and surrounding communities.
On Dec. 1, state Rep. Grant Wehrli was on hand to draw the winning raffle tickets from 3,000 tickets sold. Between Nov. 14 and Nov. 29, over 1,350 runners ran the course of their choice with many of them running on Thanksgiving morning.
The raffle grand prize of $3,000 went to Dan Smith of Lisle. He said he was very much surprised as he usually never wins anything.
Smith, a retiree, has supported the Lions and the raffle for the last 8 years. He intends to use the proceeds to support some of his favorite charities in the area. In addition, Turkey Trot participants reported their time, sent pictures and stories which have been posted on the Lions website. Each registered participant received a long sleeve running shirt and a 2020 commemorative decal.
As a result of these two events, plus Candy Day collections and the sale of poinsettias, the Lions where able to raise approximately $60,000 to continue their social program into 2021.
Without this support the Lions programs would have been greatly curtailed. The Lions Social Service Program provides eye examinations, eye glasses and hearing examinations for children and adults, at no cost, to those individuals that cannot afford this type of service.
Lion President Donna Kearney stated that it took a lot of "out of the box" thinking and planning by all members of the club to complete these fundraising events. "We were hesitant to even start these events due to the coronavirus, but these events turned out to be far more successful than we ever expected," Kearney said.
Organized in 1948, the Naperville Noon Lions Club is a member club of Lions Clubs International and made up of men and women who want to make a difference in the community.
For more information about the Lions, visit www.napervillenoonlions.org or call (630) 364-3922.