IF YOU have ever given any thought to joining a worthwhile service organization in the community, look to the Linthicum Lions Club.
It is a group of individuals committed to humanitarian service while having fun and fellowship along the way.
"We try to do a little bit for our fellow man," said member Bill Williamson. However, what they do is not a small thing for the people that they help.
Since the Linthicum Lions was chartered in 1947, members have helped hundreds in the community. The Lions give priority to sight- and hearing-related projects.
These projects include Camp Merrick, a camp for sight- and hearing-impaired youth. Members give many volunteer hours sponsoring programs for the campers. They have also built and donated 18 park benches.
The Linthicum Lions also collects used eyeglasses. Donation boxes are placed in locations throughout the community.
Twice a year, members meet with other clubs in Columbia to sort and mail the eyeglasses to Third World countries. The Linthicum group is also one of many Lions clubs that support the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
About a year ago, the Linthicum Club purchased expensive television equipment to aid an area visually impaired couple. They also help purchase hearing aids for anyone who cannot afford them.
Other things they have done for the community include filling food baskets for the needy at Thanksgiving and Christmas, making donations to North County Emergency Outreach Network and Linthicum Concert in the Park series. The group has also helped with a book scholarship to North County High School and has sponsored a highway cleanup along Camp Meade Road.
Club members know their efforts are appreciated. Williamson recalled a few "thank-you" notes they received from grateful recipients.
The mother of a needy local elementary pupil thanked them for the full eye exam and eyeglasses the club paid for for her child. She said the glasses were making a big difference with the child's schoolwork.
Williamson also said the club received a note from a woman that they helped bring here from Poland for treatment of an eye disease that would have blinded her.
Williamson also spoke of an elderly woman who, after they gave her a hearing aid, said she would now be able to hear what her preacher was saying.
The Linthicum Lions Club also sponsors or participates in various fund-raising activities. It recently sold food at the Linthicum Health Fair and Linthicum Community Fair.
Members help sponsor a circus in the community and are presently conducting a Florida fruit sale. They also sell Entertainment Books.
If anyone is interested in placing an order for the fruit sale or for more information on the club, call Tom Durkin, president, at 410-859-8967 or Williamson at 410-636-0334.
Women's retreat
An interdenominational Woman to Woman Retreat will take place at St. Philip Neri Church hall from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Gloria Rincke, director of religious education at St. Joseph Monastery in Irvington, will give an interactive presentation of women and their roles in the Bible. The day of reflection includes a continental breakfast and lunch for $10.
St. Philip Neri is at 6405 S. Orchard Road in Linthicum.
For reservations, call Anne Nelson at 410-859-4950.
AARP meeting
Linthicum Chapter 2244 of AARP will hold its monthly meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday at St. John Lutheran Church, Maple and Hammonds Ferry roads.
The hospitality committee needs help at 10:30 a.m. setting up for the social hour at 11 a.m. A board meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. The guest speaker will be Dr. John J. Murphy, who will speak about foot care for diabetics.
Election of officers will also be held. Any nominations from the floor must have the consent of the person nominated. Tickets for the Christmas luncheon will be available for purchase.
For information, call John Benke at 410-859-5223..