By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

CHELSEA – While still a very young club, the Lion’s Club of Chelsea had the privileged opportunity to host some of the county’s leaders and the club’s international and local dignitaries at a service award banquet at Liberty Baptist Church on May 12.

Chelsea Mayor Earl Niven welcomed guests to the second fastest growing city in the state of Alabama.

Westover Mayor Mark McLaughlin, Columbiana Mayor Allan Lowe, Vincent Mayor Ray McAllister and Wilsonville Mayor Rosemary Liveoak attended the dinner in order to support the Lion’s Club in welcoming Frank Moore, a Lion’s Club past international president.

Moore was the international president from 2001-2002. He said 1.3 million men and women across 206 countries participate in the Lion’s Club.

“We’re larger than the United Nations,” Moore said.

Past International Director Lowell Bonds also attended the banquet. He spoke about the Alabama Vision Alliance, and how the Lion’s Club is partnering with the Alliance to replace all eyeglasses lost during the April tornadoes.

Shelby County Sheriff Chris Curry was the banquet’s keynote speaker, speaking to the impact of volunteerism in communities.

“The Lion’s Club is a wonderful help to the community and the entire world,” Curry said. “There’s physical sight and there’s vision. They’re similar, but different. All of us need vision, vision both forward, ahead and backward to keep yourself safe and on track.

“We’ve reached a point and time in our nation that it’s got to be an “us” issue for people to help,” he added. “We’ve got to get involved. We’ve got to work at what’s ahead of us.

“Be involved, be vocal,” Curry said as he encouraged the attendees to join in with local volunteer opportunities.