Lions Club brings district convention to Patriot Center
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
Hillsboro will play host to the annual South Central District convention of Lions Club International April 23-24.
Convention co-chair Jim Georges said Hillsboro has hosted the event at least three times in the past 15 to 20 years.
Usually, the event is held in the hometown of the district governor, who is elected every year,” Georges said. “Charles Newland of Leesburg is the district governor, but there was no facility big enough to host the event, so we’re having it in Hillsboro.”
Highland County Lions Clubs are a part of District 13J, which encompasses 14 counties in south central Ohio, including Adams, Brown, Clinton, Clermont, Fayette and Ross counties.
“During the convention the regional chairman and zone chairman will report on what they have done this year,” Georges said. “Our main thrust is glasses and sight.”
Georges said the Lions Club and its more than 1.3 million members worldwide lead projects regarding pilot dogs, which are trained to lead the blind, and donation of money to foundations that conduct eye research.
“We try to find ways to prevent and cure blindness,” Georges said. “The international organization uses money for grants for worthy causes and relief. Already we have sent more than $2 million to Haiti.”
The event, held at Southern State Community College and the SSCC Patriot Center, will feature keynote speaker Dana Biggs, of California, who is a past international director. Her husband, past International President William Biggs, will also be in attendance.
“We have a number of pretty prestigious people coming to this,” Georges said.
“The event will be fun, entertaining and inspirational. There will be a live dance band on Friday night, we will have contests and games.”
A spouses’ program will be held the Saturday of the convention and will feature a tour of the Hillsboro area. Also, students from Leo Clubs – high school organizations for people too young to join the Lions Club – will also be in attendance.
Georges said Hillsboro High School has a Leo Club, and Waverly High School, which has the largest membership in the area at approximately 150, will be attending.
For many Lions Club members, this is the main event of the year for the
organization, Georges said. “This is the big district event and in the structure of the Lions we have a district convention, a state convention and international convention,” he said.
An estimated 150 people will be attending the Hillsboro event, which Georges said will be good for the community. “Normally, it brings some money into the community,” he said. “People will bring family with them, and a lot of time they will be driving in, they will want to stay and eat, maybe do a little shopping.”[[In-content Ad]]
Convention co-chair Jim Georges said Hillsboro has hosted the event at least three times in the past 15 to 20 years.
Usually, the event is held in the hometown of the district governor, who is elected every year,” Georges said. “Charles Newland of Leesburg is the district governor, but there was no facility big enough to host the event, so we’re having it in Hillsboro.”
Highland County Lions Clubs are a part of District 13J, which encompasses 14 counties in south central Ohio, including Adams, Brown, Clinton, Clermont, Fayette and Ross counties.
“During the convention the regional chairman and zone chairman will report on what they have done this year,” Georges said. “Our main thrust is glasses and sight.”
Georges said the Lions Club and its more than 1.3 million members worldwide lead projects regarding pilot dogs, which are trained to lead the blind, and donation of money to foundations that conduct eye research.
“We try to find ways to prevent and cure blindness,” Georges said. “The international organization uses money for grants for worthy causes and relief. Already we have sent more than $2 million to Haiti.”
The event, held at Southern State Community College and the SSCC Patriot Center, will feature keynote speaker Dana Biggs, of California, who is a past international director. Her husband, past International President William Biggs, will also be in attendance.
“We have a number of pretty prestigious people coming to this,” Georges said.
“The event will be fun, entertaining and inspirational. There will be a live dance band on Friday night, we will have contests and games.”
A spouses’ program will be held the Saturday of the convention and will feature a tour of the Hillsboro area. Also, students from Leo Clubs – high school organizations for people too young to join the Lions Club – will also be in attendance.
Georges said Hillsboro High School has a Leo Club, and Waverly High School, which has the largest membership in the area at approximately 150, will be attending.
For many Lions Club members, this is the main event of the year for the
organization, Georges said. “This is the big district event and in the structure of the Lions we have a district convention, a state convention and international convention,” he said.
An estimated 150 people will be attending the Hillsboro event, which Georges said will be good for the community. “Normally, it brings some money into the community,” he said. “People will bring family with them, and a lot of time they will be driving in, they will want to stay and eat, maybe do a little shopping.”[[In-content Ad]]