This Is Real Work — And We Need More Hands
- Mar 16
- 3 min read
When people hear about the Lions Club, they sometimes imagine meetings and community organizations talking about ideas.
But the reality of Lions' service in Blount County looks very different.
It looks like volunteers are showing up in school hallways with screening equipment.
It looks like collection boxes filled with eyeglasses donated by neighbors.
It looks like Lions are working alongside other organizations to meet real needs across the community.
And sometimes, it looks like a moment that changes someone’s life.
If you’re curious about the wide variety of ways the Maryville Lions Club is serving the community
— from vision screenings to food service projects and community outreach — you can explore many of those stories here:
Those stories highlight just a few examples of the practical work Lions members are doing across Blount County.
A Screening That Led to a Life-Saving Diagnosis
During a routine vision screening at Sam Houston Elementary School, Lions volunteers noticed unusual results for one fifth-grade student.
The screening itself took less than a minute. But those results prompted a recommendation that the family follow up with a specialist.
That follow-up appointment led to a diagnosis of hydrocephalus — dangerous pressure building behind the eyes that required urgent treatment.
Because the issue was caught early, the student received the care she needed.
It’s a powerful reminder that something as simple as a school vision screening can make a profound difference.
Thousands of Children Screened Right Here in Blount County
That kind of work happens every year.
Working alongside local schools and childcare centers, the Maryville Lions help conduct vision screenings for thousands of children across Blount County.
In 2025 alone, Lions volunteers helped screen 2,775 children.
Most screenings confirm that a child’s vision is healthy. But when a problem is detected early, families can take action before it begins to affect learning, confidence, or long-term eye health.
Sometimes the solution is as simple as a new pair of glasses.
The Glasses Collection Boxes You See Around Town
You may have seen a Lions eyeglass collection box in a local pharmacy, library, or business.
Those boxes are more important than they may appear.
Residents across Blount County regularly donate glasses they no longer need. Lions volunteers collect them, sort them, and send them through Lions International recycling programs, where they can be reused by people who otherwise could not afford vision correction.
A pair of glasses sitting unused in a drawer can restore someone else's sight.
It’s a simple act of generosity that multiplies impact far beyond our community.
Service That Extends Beyond Vision
While protecting sight remains the Lions’ core mission, Maryville Lions members step forward whenever our community needs help.
Recently, members joined other Lions clubs from across East Tennessee in a regional service project that packed more than 40,000 meals for food banks in just a few hours.
Maryville Lions also participate in Street Outreach Service Days, helping connect vulnerable residents with support services and resources.
These projects are different in scope, but they share the same spirit: people working together to strengthen their community.
The Work Continues Because Volunteers Step Forward
None of this happens automatically.
Every vision screening.
Every pair of glasses collected.
Every service project completed.
All of it happens because volunteers choose to step forward and serve.
The Maryville Lions Club has been doing exactly that in Blount County since 1938.
But like many service organizations across the country, the need for volunteers continues to grow.
There Is Still More To Do
Blount County is growing.
That growth brings opportunity — but it also brings increasing need for vision care and community support.
The Lions are committed to continuing this work.
But more members mean more children screened, families helped, and neighbors supported.
Simply put:
This is real work — and we need more hands.
An Invitation
If you are looking for a meaningful way to serve in Blount County, we invite you to consider joining the Maryville Lions Club.
You don’t need special expertise.
You don’t need to commit enormous amounts of time.
You simply need a willingness to help your neighbors.
Learn more about the Vision-First initiative and how Lions are protecting sight in our community:
Follow the Maryville Lions Club on Facebook to see local projects and upcoming service opportunities: