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SHELBY Golden Lions
CREST Chargers www.shelbyinfo.com Our 42ND Year • Issue No. 50 • December 11, 2025
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2025
704-484-1047
Shelby Lions Club hosts their annual Christmas party for visually impaired Submitted by Julie Weathers Shelby Lions Club
Every year for the past 36 years, the blind and visually impaired look forward to attending the Shelby Lions Club Christmas Party. It’s a longstanding tradition that many have been attending for decades. Kina Houser has been attending since the very first time in 1989 when she was just 14 years old and just beginning to lose her vision. She stated, “I enjoy meeting new people and reconnecting with others from previous years. It’s nice to meet others who are experiencing similar issues that come with vision loss and has opened other opportunities like attending Camp Dogwood, a summer camp for the blind and visually impaired.” It was the Shelby Community Lions Club that started the tradition with Dr. Gene Yarboro and his wife Margaret. Alston Bridges Barbecue has been catering BBQ with all the fix-
VIPs and guests enjoyed fellowship during the annual Christmas party held December 2nd. Justin Harper leads the VIPs in singing Christmas Carols. Everyone joined in with bells and percussion instruments. Photos provided sphere was festive and bright with each table decorated with red tablecloths and shimmering miniature Christmas trees with chocolate candy and peppermint scattered about. After dinner, the group enjoyed Christmas music and singing carols led by Justin Harper and a spur-of-the-moment volunteer and friend of a VIP (Visually Impaired Person), Joe Brown, played backup on the keyboard. Each VIP received a special Christmas gift filled with candy before heading home. The Division of Services for the Blind, located at Cleveland County Department of Social Services, sends out the invitations to clients who are receiving services or have received services for vision loss in the past. Family members and caregivers are also served during the annual event. Lucy Plyler, the Social Worker for the Blind, says her phone starts ringing in early November with people asking when the party is planned. Plyler says, “it’s something they look
ins all these years too, which everyone looks forward to. The group met at Ross Grove Baptist Church on Tuesday, December 2nd. There were about 50 in attendance, many uniting with old friends and others meeting some newcomers. The atmo-
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forward to each year because they see friends they haven’t seen since last year or they meet new friends. It’s a strong connection to find someone else who has vision loss and are experiencing some of the same issues. They can talk to each other about that and feel like they are not alone.” The primary goal of Lions Club is service to the community. The Shelby Lions Club has a rich history of providing service to Cleveland County residents. With 95 years of history, the club has generously given their time and tal-
ents to improve the lives of so many Cleveland County residents. In addition to hosting the Christmas Party, they can also assist with eye exams and eyeglasses for those who are eligible for assistance. They also sell brooms to raise money to be able to support their service projects. If you are interested in becoming a Lion, send inquiries to: info@ shelbynclions.com. For more information on Services for the Blind, contact Lucy Plyler at Cleveland County Department of Social Services at 980-484-6106.
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