Conroe Lions Club: December & Ongoing Community Projects

**Conroe Northwood Lions Club Spreads Holiday Cheer, Sustains Year-Round Community Impact**

The Conroe Northwood Lions Club (CNLC) concluded a vibrant December, marked by impactful holiday initiatives and continued dedication to its core community service programs. The month highlighted the club’s commitment to supporting local youth, veterans, and broader community well-being.

The holiday season officially kicked off for the CNLC on December 16th, 2023, with their annual Christmas Party for children residing at the Montgomery County Youth Services Fairway Home in Conroe. The Fairway Home provides essential residential care and support for at-risk youth, offering a safe and nurturing environment. Lions Club members brought a festive atmosphere with pizza, organized engaging games, assisted with Christmas crafts, and ensured every child received personalized presents. For children facing challenging circumstances, these moments of joy and normalcy are invaluable, fostering a sense of belonging and happiness during a special time of year.

Just a few days later, on December 20th, Lion Mike Sacks led a team in delivering 30 boxes of thoughtfully prepared Christmas gifts to veterans receiving treatment at the VA Clinic in Conroe. The Conroe VA Clinic offers essential healthcare services to veterans in the region, including primary care and mental health support. Jennifer Hernandez, a dedicated staff member at the clinic, graciously accepted the donations, ensuring they reached veterans who could truly benefit from the holiday cheer. Receiving a personal gift can make a significant difference to veterans, particularly those away from family or undergoing treatment during the holiday season.

Beyond the holiday hustle, the Conroe Northwood Lions Club maintains several robust, ongoing community service initiatives throughout the year. One of their most critical programs involves conducting approximately 300 vision screenings every month for students ranging from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. Utilizing a portable PlusoptiX camera, the Lions aim to catch potential vision issues early, which is crucial for a child’s academic success and long-term development. This proactive approach aligns with Lions Clubs International’s global commitment to fighting preventable blindness and supporting eye health.

The CNLC also operates a comprehensive recycling program for used eyeglasses, hearing aids, and cell phones. These collected items are often refurbished and distributed to individuals in developing countries who lack access to such vital resources, or they are recycled, with proceeds supporting local club initiatives. Community members can conveniently drop off donations at various locations, including the Conroe ISD Admin Building and Dr. Mark Wilson’s office. The dedication of the club’s volunteers is evident in their impressive service hours, with members logging over 1,600 hours in November alone.

Looking ahead to the new year, the Conroe Northwood Lions Club invites the community to join their “Trash Bash” on Saturday, January 13th, 2024. As part of their Adopt a Highway commitment with TXDOT, volunteers will be out along FM 1488, near SH 242, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, working to clean up the roadway. This initiative helps maintain the beauty and safety of local thoroughfares, and community volunteers are always welcome and appreciated.

The Conroe Northwood Lions Club is an active and dedicated group committed to serving the needs of the Conroe community and beyond. Those interested in learning more about their impactful work or wishing to get involved are encouraged to attend their regular meetings, held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at noon. Meetings take place at the Incredible Pizza Company, located at 230 S Loop 336 W in Conroe.