By Debbie Adams
The Vinton Breakfast Lions Club celebrated their 40th anniversary at their annual awards dinner
on Sept. 11 at the Vinton Moose Lodge. The club was founded in 1985. They are well-known in
the community for putting their “We Serve” motto into action continually for individuals and
groups in Vinton, the region, the state, the nation, and internationally—especially the most
vulnerable—children and the elderly.
at the Vinton Moose Lodge. (photo by Debbie Adams)
Past President Zach McCarty welcomed members and their guests as they commemorated
another successful year of hard work and accomplishments.
Past Lion District President Eric Mills made a special presentation of 40th anniversary medallions
to all members attending and recognized twenty-one of the Lions for attending each and every
meeting in the past year. He credited the continuing diversity in membership in age, sex,
occupation, and interests as one of the main reasons the Vinton club has thrived throughout the
years, unlike some organizations who have been unable to survive changing times and a societal
waning in commitment to volunteerism.
“We are especially fortunate to have many younger members joining the club and continuing our
dedication to serving the community,” Mills said.
Five Charter members of the club were honored with crystal plaques—Sam Cundiff, Anthony
Conner, Keith Lafferty, Ray Sarver, and Pat Simpson.
The new Lions Club President Justin Fix presented the Past Presidents Plaque to Zach McCarty
and thanked him for his “diligence” in serving the club and community.
The Vinton Breakfast Lions Club most prestigious award—”Lion of the Year”–was presented to
McCarty, as well. The Lion of the Year is voted on by the entire membership.
McCarty thanked his fellow Lions for the “huge honor” and for being role models for him,
leading him to strive to be like them, and pushing him to do more.
New officers and Board members were named for 2025-2026. They include President Justin Fix,
1st Vice President Ryan Mason, 2 nd Vice President Sabrina McCarty, Secretary Gary Myers,
Treasurer Bob Benninger, Club Administrator Joel Lytton, LCIF Coordinator Gary Myers, Club
Marketer John Berry, Club Membership Zach McCarty, Tail Twister Chris McCarty, Lion
Tamer Keith Lafferty, and Past-President Zach McCarty, along with Board Members Dave
Jones, Steve Haldren, John Dyer, Chris McCarty, Jordan Karnes, Jeff Stovall, Sam Cundiff, Joel
Lytton, Eric Mills, Jeff Mason, and Denny Dickens.
President Sabrina McCarty, 1st Vice President Ryan Mason, President Justin Fix, and Past
President Zach McCarty.
Fix remarked that “it is an honor to work alongside all of you” in the daily mission to serve the
community.
The Vinton Breakfast Lions Club truly defines “service to the community.” They fund eye
exams, eye surgery, and eyeglasses for needy area children and adults. They provide scholarships
to William Byrd and Staunton River High School seniors, and a Leo Club Scholarship to a
graduating senior at WBHS.
Each year during the holidays, they sponsor a Christmas Shopping trip for 18-20 needy children
in the Vinton area, purchasing over $120 in clothing and toys per child. They have completed
special needs projects, such as building ramps, for families in the Vinton area.
The Lions have financed two bus stops for the Vinton area (at Kroger and PFG) and a picnic
shelter at Herman L. Horn Elementary School. They are currently partnering with the Town of
Vinton in the building of a multigenerational park at the Vinton War Memorial.
Through State and Lions International, they support Diabetes Awareness, Disaster Relief, the
Lions International Peace Poster Contest, the Hearing Foundation at UVA, Service Dog School,
Camp Too Sweet, Meals on Wheels, the Carilion Pediatric Cancer Center, and the Bland Music
Scholarship competition program for area students each spring.
They also stock the local elementary schools with extra clothing, school supplies, snacks and
refreshments, and materials for school projects. They sponsor the very active Leo Club at
William Byrd High School (with well over 100 members), who join them on many projects.
The Lions hold several major fundraisers each year—their annual Drawdown, the Pancake
Breakfast on Fall Festival Day (coming up on October 11), the Spaghetti Dinner on the evening
of the Vinton Christmas Parade, White Cane sales, and Bingo, with proceeds going mainly to
Vinton area residents. Two of their major partners in the community are Rosie’s and the Vinton
Moose Lodge.
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with 1.4 members and
46,000 clubs in 210 countries.
Their most recent project is their annual vision screening in Vinton public schools, which takes
place each September. The lead screener, Lion Denny Dickens, has been the coordinator for
school screenings since 2007. Throughout the month, he and trained Vinton Breakfast Lions
Club volunteers conduct free vision screenings for area students.
All Kindergarten, 3rd, 8th and 10th grade students receive the state mandated screening. In
addition, any new students entering the public school system receive an initial screening
regardless of grade. The current schedule this year includes screenings at Bonsack, Herman L.
Horn, and W. E. Cundiff Elementary Schools, William Byrd Middle, and William Byrd High
Schools.
Danny Dickens perform public school screenings in September. (photo courtesy of John Berry)
Vision screenings are coordinated with school health and nursing personnel. All results are
provided to school personnel for each student’s health record. No results or records are kept by
Lion volunteers. The screenings are quick, non-invasive, and aligned with state health guidelines.
Over 1000 students have been screened in each of the last 3 years. The goal is to help detect
vision problems early, allowing for timely intervention and support by vision professionals. If a
problem is found, the schools notify the parents of the results and coordinate with the parents on
any follow-up eye care or examination.
This health initiative reflects the ongoing partnership between Vinton schools and the Vinton
Lions Club to promote student well-being.
In addition, early vision care is crucial for academic success and self-esteem. The ultimate goal
of September’s screenings is to support and increase every child’s learning potential.
