↵ to Activate
Keene Lions Club
Mission
The Mission of the Keene Lions is very simple. We Serve. We serve where there is a need that we believe that we can help out with and that meets our guidelines.
What does the Keene Lions Club do?
The Keene Lions Club has been proudly serving the Monadnock Region for 88 years. We are part of Lions Clubs International, the largest volunteer service organization in the world with 1.35 million members in 45,000 clubs across more than 200 countries and geographic areas.
The club’s impact is deeply rooted in the local community. With 68 active members, the Keene Lions Club is one of the largest in both New Hampshire and New England. Our members come from all walks of life and represent a wide variety of ages, professions, and interests, all united by a shared passion for giving back.
In the past year alone, 96% of the Keene Lions Foundation’s revenue remained in the region to support local initiatives. The remaining 4% supported Lions International programs around the world.
How Keene Lions Club serves our community
Health-related programs
- During the 2024–25 fiscal year, the club completed vision screenings for more than 3,000 children in preschool, grades 1–3, and grade 7 at over 45 schools across SAU29, SAU60, and SAU93. These screenings use the SPOT vision screener, developed by Welch Allyn.
- To ensure continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic, we launched a lending program that allowed schools to borrow the screening equipment, an approach that continues today and helps increase access.
- We provided financial assistance for eye exams and glasses to approximately 40 individuals in Keene and surrounding towns, as well as hearing aids for five local residents.
Grants and support services
- We fund camperships for children, winter gear for students in the Keene School District, and scholarships for graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated a commitment to service.
- We support children with Type 1 Diabetes by providing funding to attend an educational camp that helps them better manage their condition.
- We offer grants to organizations such as the Mayhew Program, the Historical Society of Cheshire County, the Harris Center for Conservation Education, and the Kurn Hattin School.
- Our Lions Lyft program provides transportation to visually impaired neighbors. In addition, each year we adopt a local family through the City of Keene’s holiday program and a dedicated team of Lions volunteers regularly works at the Community Kitchen.
Fundraising
Our ability to fund these programs and projects relies on three major annual fundraising events that also serve as special occasions to engage and bring together the broader community.
- The Great Ashuelot River Duck Race, now in its 36th year, is a longtime community favorite and was once again a great success.
- The Club has completed two significant capital projects: the construction of a pavilion and installation of outdoor movie equipment at the Keene Recreation Center, and the creation of pickleball courts behind Jonathan Daniels School, both designed to promote healthy activity and community engagement.
For more information about supporting the Keene Lions Club or to inquire about how you can become a Lions Club member, visit https://www.keenelions.com/membership or email keenelionsclub@gmail.com.
