Akaka Falls Lions assist Easter Seals Hawaii

The Akaka Falls Lions Club, in partnership with The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Inc., recently assisted the Hilo Easters Seals Early Intervention program on Kaiulani Street by completing a large beautification project.

In addition to the physical labor, the Lions presented a $10,000 check from the Weinberg Foundation to Easter Seals.

To earn the Weinberg money, 30 Akaka Falls Lions — men and women — moved and placed 1,800 pounds of gravel around the two Easter Seals buildings, cleared wild vegetation and painted benches and bookcases.

“This is one of our top club projects,” said club President Don Coloma. “Easter Seals Hawaii was very appreciative of the results.”

For the past four years, Akaka Falls Lions Club has completed three such projects, one apiece at the Children’s Justice Center, the Big Island Substance Abuse Council and the Salvation Army. Each organization also received a $10,000 check from Weinberg Foundation and 100 hours from the Akaka Falls Lions Club to complete a sweat-equity project.

The Akaka Falls Lions Club is in search of worthy projects to continue to meet the Lions International Mission of “We Serve.”

“We are looking to join with a selected organization to serve target populations encountering hardships here in East Hawaii,” said Lion Nate Chang. “We are particularly interested in supporting initiatives that address the following social concerns: 1) vision and/or hearing assistance; 2) prevention of homelessness; 3) health related ailment/disease prevention 4) domestic violence awareness and prevention; and 5) mental health support.”

For more information, please contact Chang at 895-1390.