BEDFORD – After what felt like a century, the Bedford Lions Club held their Annual Pancake Breakfast in person at the Thornton Park Shelter House.
With COVID-19 altering regular routines and events, the Lions Club had only held the event with a drive-through format, to keep the community safe. Saturday marked the first in-person, sit-down breakfast since October of 2019, and the community came out in full force to support the organization.
“We serve the community every day, and it is nice to see everyone come out to support us today,” said Lions Club Co-Chair John Heichelbech. “Before COVID-19, we had lines out of the building waiting to get food, so we are just working on keeping the line moving and serving everyone we can. And GM helped to pay for half of the 500 pounds of sausage that we are cooking today, so it’s nice to have everyone involved again.”
Lions Club Co-Chair Phil Mitchell said it’s difficult to determine how many people will show up, but the club is always ready to serve.
“We planned to serve about 2,000 people today, and I think we can get there with the sit-down and drive-through options still going strong as of now. A lot of people are getting out again, unlike before with COVID, so it is always hard to determine how many people will actually show up.”
The Bedford Lions Club meets twice a month on the second and fourth Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Christian Life Center located at 1515 20th Street and is always looking for new members to continue the legacy of serving the community.
The pancake breakfast is held twice a year, both in May and October, and is the sole fundraising project for the service club. Projects by the Bedford Lions Club include:
- Lawrence County Boys/Girls Club Annual Sponsorships
- Award BNL Academic Scholarship
- Distribute copies of the Constitution & Declaration of Independence to Bedford -North Lawrence 11th graders
- Pre-School Kid Sight Vision Screenings
- WBIW Safe Night and Senior Fair Vision Screenings
- Vision Care Assistance for Needy Children and Adults
- Recycle Used Eyeglasses for Worldwide Distribution
- Hearing Aid Assistance for Needy Children and Adults
- Collect Used Hearing Aids for State Programs
- Help out with Stamp Out Food Hunger Food Drive
- Help out Lawrence County Cancer Services Annual Car Show
- Support Distinguished Young Woman (Junior Miss) Program
- Build Ramps for those who have Physical Mobility Challenges
- Ring the Bell for Salvation Army Red Kettle Program
- Conduct Mosquito Fogging in the City of Bedford
- Conduct outstanding Youth Appreciation Program
- Organize & Participate in the Limestone Heritage Festival and Christmas Parades
- Support United Way Programs
- Sponsor Bedford Parks Department Kid Activities
Lions Club State Projects Include:
- Leader Dog
- Cancer Control
- Speech and Hearing
- Eye & Tissue Bank
- Indiana School for the Blind & Visually Impaired
- Diabetes Awareness
- Special Olympics
- Indiana State Police Law Camp
International Projects include:
- Lions Club International Foundation
- Drug Awareness and Education
- Youth Exchange
- Sight First Campaign
