March 16, 2010 – For immediate release:

The New Hartford Lions Club announced its 2010 Scholarship Program today and invited high school seniors who live in the community and plan to attend post-secondary training or education programs next year to apply. Seniors can get the application form from their school guidance counselors. The Club’s Antiques & Collectibles Show this Sunday, March 21st at Northwest Regional School #7 will help raise funds for the scholarships to be awarded in early June. The local Lions organization was established in 1970.

The chapter’s President, Jim Creamer, said “Our Club’s men and women have worked hard over the past 40 years to create a remarkable record of service to the community. My wife and I moved to town in 2003 after many years dedicated to Lionism in the New Haven area and we have been very impressed by the accomplishments of this small town Club. The Lions’ motto ’We Serve’ is brought to life by the hard work of our members to meet local needs.”

In 2009, the Club awarded scholarships of $1,000 each to six graduating high school seniors. The group also donated funds to families in need, local food banks, and civic projects such as purchasing a defibrillator for New Hartford’s Brodie Park. New Hartford Lions contributed additional monies to eyesight initiatives, a historic priority of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service club organization founded in 1917 with more than 1.3 million members in about 200 countries around the globe. According to the group’s fact sheet their focus has expanded greatly from fighting blindness and, “Lions are part of a global service network, doing whatever is necessary to help our local communities.”

Creamer urged area residents to do some spring shopping at Sunday’s Antiques and Collectibles Show and support the Club’s scholarship program at the same time. The event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Northwest Regional School #7 in Winsted (off Route 44 just east of the junction of Routes 44 & 8). Admission is $5.00. Those age 16 and younger get in free with an adult. Early bird buying from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. is $10.00. There is plenty of free parking and door prizes and food will be available. The Show will feature about 50 dealers. For event or dealer information, call 489-9188.

Northwest Regional School #7 is home to a student ‘Leos’ Club that gets youth involved with volunteering. Leos contribute their time to a wide variety of projects including local Lions Club fundraisers. The name Leo comes from the concepts of ‘leadership’, ‘experience’ and ‘opportunities’ that students are exposed to through their community service activities. Regional #7 High school Principal, Wayne Conner, is a member of the New Hartford Lions.