How We Spend Funds Raised
All funds raised from the public during the Lions year goes toward local, regional and worldwide charity efforts. Members are not compensated in any manner, regardless of what office they hold. All Club administrative costs including dues paid to Lions Clubs International, Multiple District 33 Lions and District 33K Lions are paid by the Club members in the form of dues payments. Members who attend dinner meetings are responsible for their own meals. During the last decade, our Club has donated more than $200,000 locally. As an integral part of the Holliston community, the Holliston Lions Club provides funding and sponsorships for the following local charities and causes:
- Scholarships to graduating seniors (average $12,000 annually)
- Holliston Pantry Shelf
- Holliston Public Library
- Toys-for Tots
- Celebrate Holliston
- Lions All-State Band
- Holliston Senior Center
- Holliston Senior Support Foundation
- Lions Youth Speech Contest
- Holliston Park Department
- Holliston Auxiliary Police
- Lions Clubs International Peace Poster Contest
- HABA
- On an as-needed basis to others when requested
On a statewide level, the Holliston Lions Club supports other worthy causes including sponsorships for students to attend Jocelyn and Clara Barton diabetes camps, sponsored service dogs through NEADS, provides funding to Carroll Center for the Blind, and Perkins School for the Blind. In addition, we have worked with National Braille Press to help improve literacy for those with visual impairments.
Lions also help support eye health through research grants provide by Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund, Inc. (MLERF). Over the years, the Holliston Lions Club has donated in excess of $300,000 to MLERF. Grants from MLERF have been awarded to Boston University Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, Joslin Diabetes Center, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Tufts University School of Medicine, and Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary.
Only through the generosity of members of the community who are willing to support our fundraising activities are we able to continue providing funds for these important charities.