By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

HELENA—Helena may join 46,000 communities worldwide with its own chapter of the Lions Club.

“We have a lions club in Pelham and one of the members thought Helena would have enough people to have a club there,” Lions District Governor Jim Crews said.

The Lions Club is an international service organization with more than 1.35 million members and chapters in 208 countries. Each club does service projects tailored to their specific community.

“(We ask the community) what they want to see the Lions Club do,” Crews said, noting a recent motorcycle ride to raise money for diabetes research hosted by the Pelham Lions Club.

The Lions Club also pitched in after tornados hit parts of Alabama in late-April.

“I contacted the Lions Club headquarters in Chicago, (and we received) a $10,000 grant the next day,” Crews said, explaining the money was spilt into gift cards to places such as Walmart and Publix and distributed to “impacted neighborhoods.”

“We look to have clubs in as many communities as we can so we can help as many as we can,” Crews said. “Every dollar we collect from a fundraiser goes back into the community.”

In order to receive a charter, a new chapter must have 20 members, Crews said, adding he has been canvasing Helena business to gauge interest in a new chapter and had received positive feedback.

The Lions Club also hosted an informational meeting at the Golden Corral in Pelham from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Crews encouraged anyone interested to attend.

For additional information about the Lions Club or the possible new Helena chapter, contact Jim Crews at lbjcrews@centurytel.net.