The Cranberry Lions Club has been intent the last few months on rest and relaxation.
Its members’ efforts, though, have not been on themselves but on park patrons who need a place to sit.
The 38-member service club has had eight new park benches, all etched “In memory of deceased Lions”, installed in three Cranberry Township public places. Four are now available in Morrison Park and two each are at Moody Pond and the Saltbox location near the bike trail.
Working with township roadmaster Ted Williams and township manager Chad Findlay, the ideal spots for the benches, some of which replaced old deteriorated benches, were selected. Concrete pads for the benches were installed by the township crews.
The durable benches, made of recycled plastics, were etched by Ed McAlevy of Franklin.
“This is the first time we’ve done benches,” said Jack Middleton, the club vice president. “And while the benches are in Cranberry Township, we have members from all over, not just township residents. So we’ll help wherever we can.”
The Cranberry Lions Club, chartered in 1978 with Patrick Andres as the first president, is the last remaining Lions Club in Venango County. Going out of business over the past few years were Lions clubs in Oil City, Franklin and Rocky Grove.
Once focused solely on vision-related projects, the Lions Club has expanded its largesse to include a variety of causes, said Cangemi.
“No, it’s not just vision,” he said. “We work with a lot of groups and churches to offer help. We want to be involved in our communities.”
Financial wherewithal comes from manning a food trailer as well as donations from area non-profits as well as businesses.
“We help the blind, diabetics, pediatric cancer patients, the food pantries, fire departments, the Ys, vets groups and more,” said Cangemi. “That’s what we do – we follow our Lions motto ‘to serve.'”
Middleton is keying in on attracting new members for the Cranberry Lions Club.
“We’re looking for members because we need help in serving the community,” he said.
Additional information is available by e-mailing lionsclub.venango@gmail.com.
