In the 1950s my family was the recipient of aid. When I watched three men walk into our home with bags of food and clothing, I looked up and asked if they were angels. I was four years old at the time and to this day I don't know if they were crying because we looked so pitiful or if they were overcome with joy at having made a difference in the life of four little girls under the age of five. Whatever the reason, later on they came back with more food. To this day those acts of kindness remain embedded in my memory.

Little did I know that 48 years later I would be asked to join a local Lions Club. Like most people I had no idea what it meant to become a member of the world's largest service organization, but I soon learned that it means raising money through fun-filled events and then donating it back to the community in many ways such as high school scholarships, providing eye examinations and glasses for anyone without means, participating in health fairs and special community projects and more. Bingo! After all these years I found a way to give something back; I found my purpose.

Now more than ever we need to help each other through these difficult times. There is nothing more rewarding than helping someone who has a greater need than yourself. Visit your local Lions Club and see first hand how you can help make your community a better place to live and work. Contact me and I'll introduce you to a Lions Club near you.

Do you have a story about receiving aid in the past? Do you want to give something back?

Susan Lee Giles

Member of Newcastle Golden Spike Lions Club,

Eureka Zone (Rocklin, Loomis, Lincoln & Newcastle) Chair, District 4-C5 of Lions Clubs International