**Serving Together: Strengthening Our Impact Through Partnerships**

One of the greatest strengths of Lions Clubs has always been our ability to work side-by-side — not only with fellow Lions, but also with other community service organizations. In today’s changing environment, collaboration is more important than ever. By joining forces with local nonprofits, service groups, faith communities, and civic organizations, we can magnify our impact and reach more people in need.

In the past weeks, I have had the pleasure of visiting seven clubs and learning about the amazing projects they are leading. From vision screenings and youth initiatives to environmental improvements and community outreach, the dedication I’ve witnessed has been truly inspiring. These visits reaffirm that when Lions serve, they change lives — and when we work together, we accomplish even more.

A pressing area of concern in our communities right now is food insecurity. Across many areas, traditional sources of food donations are dwindling as economic challenges persist and supply chains shift. This is where Lions can — and must — step up. Partnering with food banks, pantries, and meal programs will help us fill critical gaps and ensure struggling families have the support they need. Whether through organizing collection drives, volunteering for distribution, or providing financial assistance, we can make a real and lasting difference. And by doing this we are visible to the communities we serve and appeal to individuals that want to join our clubs.

As we enter the autumn we will have our first Week of Service that will take place on **October 4–12** and will focus on **Mental Health & Well-Being** — an issue that touches every community and every generation. This will be a valuable opportunity to raise awareness, provide resources, and support those who may be struggling.

While we work to increase our impact, we must also focus on strengthening our clubs. In the past year, our district has experienced a net loss of 53 members. Bringing in new members is important, but retaining the dedicated Lions we have is equally vital. Through engagement, recognition, and meaningful meetings we can keep existing members.