Founded in 1935, the Clifton Forge Lions Club is gearing up for its upcoming events that help raise funds for the nonprofit organization’s programs which benefit area students and adults. President David B. Davis of the Clifton Forge Lions Club remarked, “We spend 100 percent of the funds we raise to support our projects which benefit the community.”
He continued, “Our next fundraising event will be a mop and broom sale in front of the Kroger Store in Clifton Forge on Sat., April 1, from 10:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m.” “After that fundraising event, our next event features our delicious homemade ice cream that will be sold at the Clifton Forge School of the Arts during its Mayfaire event on Sat., May 6, from 10:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m.,” Davis added.
Glenn Linthicum, pastor of the New Creations Ministries in Salem, serves as the secretary of the Clifton Forge Lions Club. He is the author of three books, “Witness His Grace,” “His Way Is the Best Way” and “A Pleasing Witness.” Linthicum noted, “Our motto is “We Serve,” and locally, we provide free eye examinations and glasses for those who cannot afford to pay.”
James “Skip” McMullan, who has retired from two careers, holds the position of treasurer of the Clifton Forge Lions Club. Having retired as Sergeant Major from the U.S. Army in 1992, he completed an 18-year career at BACOVA Guild as the cost accountant in charge of purchasing.
McMullan pointed out, “To apply for glasses, members of the public must fill out an application at the Covington Health Department at 321 Beach St.”
He added, “Glasses are a big thing for the Lions Club, but we have assisted the school systems in the Alleghany Highlands with vision and hearing testing for their students.” “By providing this free service, the Lions Club has saved the school systems thousands of dollars,” McMullan observed.
He continued, “We are looking at supporting Bath Co. by providing free testing for students beginning in kindergarten.” Davis noted that there are no longer Lions Clubs in Bath Co. and Covington and that the Clifton Forge Lions Club is one of five in Zone 0 in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The other four are located in Buena Vista, Lexington, Craigsville and Waynesboro. For 88 years the Clifton Forge Lions Club has benefited the citizens of the Alleghany Highlands.
Linthicum, who served as pastor of the Clifton Forge Baptist Church for 17 years, remarked, “Dr. Gregory Mays Sr. performs the eye exams for our Lions Club at 1802 Midland Trail in Covington.” Davis added, “Yes, and his son, Gregory Mays, Jr. provides the glasses.” Linthicum said that new members are needed, and he extended an invitation to the public to attend the Clifton Forge Lions Club meetings. Because the meetings are dinner meetings, those who wish to attend must call Davis at (540) 962-5097 at least a week in advance so he can inform the dining hall’s staff to prepare dinner for the number of members plus the number of guests who will be attending.
Currently, the Clifton Forge Lions Club is planning to purchase a special high tech camera that can digitally diagnose one’s eyesight via a photograph. The price of the camera is $7,000. Linthicum pointed out that there is a great need for more people to join the Lions Club or volunteer to assist in
raising funds. McMullan echoed his conclusion, “If people choose not to join the Lions Club, we welcome all volunteers.” Davis, an attorney whose office was in Covington prior to his retirement in 2020, served as the city attorney and town attorney for Clifton Forge. He is the chairman of the board for Appalfolks of America Assoc., a position he has held for more than two decades. Lions Club International was founded by Melvin Jones in 1917 in Chicago, Illinois. Currently, its headquarters is in Oak Brook, Illinois.
Lions Club International has expanded to locations around the world, and via its network of affiliates, it provides disaster relief to victims such as the ones in Turkey and Syria where a recent earthquake killed thousands and injured thousands more.
