Photo: Left, Barry Willingham, club president; right, Charles McBrayer, retired club president
CULLMAN – Recently the Cullman Lions were designated as Lions District 34-A Club of the Year for 2015 – 2016. District 34 – A is comprised of Lions Clubs in the top third of the state of Alabama and has approximately 55 clubs. Being awarded this honor is not a new achievement for the Cullman Lions nor does it come without hard work on the part of the club members and the support of the Cullman and Cullman County communities. The Cullman Lions Club is the second largest in the state of Alabama, with over 110 members. This past year the club was under the direction of Charles McBrayer, president.
Some of the achievements this past year were:
- More than 5,500 hours of community service by club members
- $19,000 donated to Cullman Caring For Kids
- More than $20,000 donated to medical related nonprofit organizations in the community $30,000 to refurbish Cullman Parks and Recreation's Stiefelmeyer Park
- Purchased two eye screening devices, which are to be used to screen school children and adults for eye sight deficiencies
- Purchased a number of pairs of glasses for qualifying individuals -Alabama Lions Sight Organization donated $25,000, the number one contributor in the state
These contributions were the highlights of the year. The club also sponsors four LEO Clubs, which are school-based service clubs, in the community: Cullman High School, Vinemont High School, Vinemont Middle School and Fast Track at Wallace State.
This June the state Lions Youth Forum was held at Troy University and the Cullman Lions sponsored 15 youth from throughout Cullman County to attend. The Cullman County Fair, sponsored by the Cullman Lions Club, was featured in a recent edition of the International Lions Magazine with an eight-page spread of pictures and facts concerning the fair’s organization and accomplishments.
Cullman Lions truly believe in ‘where there is a need in the community, you will find a LION.’ The Lions’ motto is "WE SERVE."
