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Carol Kuhns reflects on her years of service with the Lions Club

Published January 19. 2023 07:00AM

BY MARIEKE ANDRONACHE

Special to The Press

Carol Kuhns remembers the days when the local Lions would gather either at Macungie Grange or the Starlite Diner, for both simple get-togethers, as well as Christmas parties.

She has been involved with the Lions Club more than 45 years and has seen many changes.

Kuhns sat down with The Press during the Dec. 18, 2022, Kuhnsville Lions Club Christmas party, at St. John’s United Church of Christ, Fogelsville, to reflect on the role of the Lions in the community, and more specifically, in the lives of the hearing- and sight impaired in District K-14.

The Lions Club began in Chicago in June 1917, with a founding purpose to help the local community.

There are presently 1,350,000 members in 40,000 clubs, across 196 countries.

“The Western Lehigh Lions Club folded after I think 50 years,” Kuhns said. “The Kuhnsville Club then was formed, and my husband and I were asked to join the Kuhnsville Lions Club.

“And, I continued with my Christmas party tradition for the hearing and sight impaired.”

The Kuhnsville Lions Club is currently 17 members strong.

“We are the only club in the district (District K-14) that does a Christmas party for the hearing-impaired and the blind,” Kuhns said.

“This year, we have lost so many of the deaf and blind age wise.

“We mailed nine gifts cards to the blind because they live too far for us to drive to Emmaus, Allentown, Macungie and Catassauqua.

“The hearing-impaired and the deaf can drive. They come here.”

The Lions’ cause, as well as the Christmas party, has special meaning for Kuhns as her daughter is deaf.

That is also the main reason she decided to become involved with the Lions, first as a Lioness in Emmaus for 22 years, before joining the Western Lehigh Lions Club.

Within this organization, Kuhns could help make a significant difference in the lives of families facing similar challenges as her own.

Kuhns would love more people join the Lions, she explained.

There are two major chicken barbecues to help raise funds for the Christmas party, as well as attract new members.

Lee Macuiujec and her daughter, Lee, are happy to take part in this year's District 14-K Kuhnsville Lions Club Christmas party. PRESS PHOTOS BY MARIEKE ANDRONACHE
Charles Bickel and his sister, Karen Bower, look forward to the Kuhnsville Lions Club Christmas get-togethers.
Shelley Koruch and Taylor Ferlazzo catch up with friends during this special Christmas luncheon.
Mark Ritter, Jeff Grim, Janet Grim, Marlene Ritter, Kay Kleinschuster, Emily Laudenslager, Tina Laudenslager, Diane Pascoe, Marilyn Roth, Catherine Csencitz, Sue Snyder and Ray Huber volunteered their time and cooking skills to make this special Christmas luncheon a success.
PRESS PHOTOS BY MARIEKE ANDRONACHE Carol Kuhns has been involved in the Lions organization for many years. She has seen many changes over the years and is an ardent supporter of the Lions contribution within the community.