Eighteen years ago, the late Past District Governor Lion Don Buckalew and Past District Governor Lion Glen Starr presented the club with a vision that completely changed the dynamics of our fundraising efforts.  Area businesses have always provided Conroe Noon Lions Club with tremendous support. They were often asked to give at every fundraising event throughout the year. The Community Partners Program was created to allow businesses the opportunity to sponsor the club once a year, eliminating the constant request for money and donations, while participating in all the events. Since 2006 we have gone from 80 community partners to 150.
Last Wednesday was our annual Community Partners Appreciation Luncheon.  It’s always a pleasure to see so many of our sponsors and have the opportunity to celebrate them, show them a little bit about what we do, how we use our donations, and how they contribute to our community.
The lady VPs were on hand to lead the meeting while incoming president Lion Bryan Rennell was enjoying his time at the International Lions Convention in Melbourne Australia. Â Second VP Tracy Irvine welcomed our community partners and third VP Sharene Carr presented a slideshow summarizing our Lions year by the numbers.
Last year Conroe NoonÂ
• gave away 35 Christmas baskets to the community,
• hosted 15 kids at our annual kids on the lake event for children with special needs and disabilities,
• purchased over $10,000 worth of Montgomery County Fair auction items,
• gave $5000 to the Benevolent Missions International organization, providing eyeglasses and eye exams in Belize,
• Hosted 8 clients from Bridgewood Farms and providing them with stylish outfits, hair, and make up for our annual Spring Style Show,
• Provided 1735-man hours at the Texas Lions camp in Kerrville,
• Donated $12,000 to Lions Clubs District & International Charities,
• Hosted 7 Service Saturdays projects,
• Continue our adopted school program with 1 school, Reaves Elementary,
• Sorted and processed 8000 pounds of eyeglasses, sunglasses, and cases in our eyeglass center,
• Sponsored 1 US Army communications specialist as our Hometown Military Hero,
• Donated 1200 pairs of underwear to recent flood victims,
• Distributed $34,000 of college scholarships through our yearly contests and scholarship programs,
• Provided 650 Vision screenings through area pre-schools, health fairs, and the Community Assistance Center,
• And fulfilled our commitment of $300,000 to build one bunkhouse at the Texas Lions Camp.
The Community Partner Program helps fund all of these projects and more. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of our Community Partners.
Meredith Jurica, entrepreneur and founder of Make Up Junkie Bags, a nationally known Conroe business, was our special guest last week.  Meredith started as a one-man show, creating her patented flat make up bag with a continuous variety of styles and patterns. The business quickly grew, achieving over $1 million of business before taking her concept to the popular show Shark Tank. She continues to grow her business, even after setbacks from Covid, and features her products in boutiques nationwide. Meredith was on hand to remind us about the importance of community involvement through business in a systemized way. She shared her story of how perseverance has led to her success. When the business was depleted during the Covid epidemic, Meredith’s business shifted to making hospital gowns for rural towns in need, allowing her to pay her staff and business expenses, while making no profit.  If you ever have the opportunity to meet her, ask her about the guacamole dress. She is a shining example of hard work and success, and we are proud to have her as one of our Community Partners.
For more information, please visit our website, www.conroenoonlions.org, or call the local club office at 936-760-1666. Â You may also call 936-760-1666 for additional information on any area Lions Club.
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