The primary mission of the California Lions Club is to help those in need with eyecare such as eye exams, glasses, contacts and by sponsoring eye care research. Sara Holtsclaw is the current president for the group and said they meet every first and third Tuesday at 12 p.m., each month in the conference room at Nic Nac Café with the exception of their break in December and January.
"Our main goal is to help people with their vision or eye care," Holtsclaw said, "so individuals with low income can go to the optometrist and either get an eye exam for free or at a reduced cost. We collect eyeglasses people no longer use and we take them to a Columbia office where they are refurbished to be reused for the discounted or free eyecare rate."
Holtsclaw said the group includes community leaders from the Moniteau County Courthouse, California R-I School District and from various local businesses among others. Fundraisers the club has includes selling funnel cakes during the Moniteau County Fair in the recognizable yellow trailer which has a Lions Club logo and by putting out flags for businesses during 10 holidays throughout the year.
For more of this story check out the April 4 issue of the California Democrat.