By NANCY KARRICK
Special to Atmore News
On February 6, I had the opportunity to be involved with a project carried out by the Leos from Escambia County High School. I’ve worked with Leos on previous Lions Club projects and have been impressed with them and their faculty advisor, Barbara Whatley.
With this particular project, I was not asked to help but volunteered when I heard that their advisor would be there with them by herself. Sometimes, another pair of hands can come in handy and that is exactly what I had to offer.
The Summit, an assisted living facility in Atmore, was the site where the project would take place. Barbara Whatley told me she had no idea how many students would attend since it took place after school and so many of the Leos had afternoon jobs. As it turned out, only three were present, but watching those three was a delightful experience.
Each resident received a handmade card, a flower made from paper, and a goody bag. All of those items were either made by students or brought from home. Additionally, they had Little Debbie items for prizes. The Summit must have been on a sugar high after we left as everyone had a bag full of food items as well as the prizes they won at Bingo.
The three Leos completely took charge of the Bingo game, drawing and calling out numbers, checking to be sure numbers were marked correctly, identifying the winning cards, and handing out prizes. The trio worked as a unit and did a wonderful job. They had a chance to interact with the residents and the older adults who were present and were a credit to not only Leos, but to the high school as well. Well done, ladies.
According to Mrs. Whatley, there are currently 16 members in the Leo Club, coming from grades 9-12. In addition to the project at The Summit, the group has had an eyeglasses drive; filled snack bags, backpacks, and blankets for the hungry and homeless; helped with a yard sale with The Veterans of Foreign Wars; and sponsored residents for Christmas. They have helped the Atmore Lions Club sell mops and brooms at Mayfest and Williams Station Day, collected food for the Lions Fall Food Drive, and helped construct the Lions Club float for the Christmas parade. Mrs. Whatley and the Leo president attended the Lions Club Christmas program several years ago and told a little about the club.
In 2017 or 2018, the Lions Club board discussed the idea of starting a Leo Club at the high school. By October, they had decided to move forward with the idea. You might ask, “What is a Leo Club?” Leos are an extension of Lions Clubs with the purpose of helping young people grow as individuals and as leaders. They are part of a global family of young people who make the world a better place. Leadership qualities are developed by participating in service activities. Service projects are done in many areas of health care, elders, children, disabled people, literacy, and education. They raise funds for projects through fund-raising events. Clubs can work by themselves as a club, with another Leo Club, with a Lions Club, or with another group working on the same goal. Working with the Atmore Lions Club and VFW are examples of that. Even the name Leo has a special meaning – Leadership, Experience, Opportunity, with the first letters of each word spelling out Leo.
Currently, there are 5,800 Leo clubs worldwide with 200,000 Leos in approximately 150 countries. Together, they complete over 60,000 service projects each year. Young people from 12 to 30 can become Leos if they have good character and an interest in serving their communities. Atmore has an Alpha Leo Club, meaning it can include members from 12 to 18 years old. The other group is called Omega Leos and their ages range from 18 to 30. Alpha Leos help to focus on the individual and social development of teens and preteens, while Omega Leos works to advance the personal and professional development of young adults.
The Escambia County High School Leo Club had its first meeting on November 19, 2019, at which time they elected officers and brainstormed project ideas. Kirsten Hollinger was elected president of the newly formed club. Members have the opportunity to learn by example while working with people of all ages, dealing with issues they might not have otherwise encountered, and learn problem-solving ideas. Any of the adults who participate with Leos become mentors to them.
Other opportunities for Leos are developing local, regional, and international friendships through the meetings and trips they attend. They learn how to organize projects in their own community and belong to a team to accomplish the goal. Learning to cooperate with other community groups as well as the local Lions Club helps fine tune leadership skills. From its inception in 1957, Leos have given service to many groups, as in the afternoon of Bingo at The Summit, and had the chance to spread their wings into the world of leadership.
Thank you to The Summit for allowing our young people to come and interact with another generation and have fun doing it. Thank you, Barbara Whatley, for the exceptional job you have done as faculty advisor since the 2019 inception of the Escambia County High School Leo Club, and thank you Leos for allowing me to spend an afternoon with you and seeing the potential you have to make your mark in a positive way to our community and beyond. Atmore Lions Club is proud of you, and this Lion certainly is as well.