By Dan Domsic
A new branch of an old service group is striving to meet the needs of Fishers.
The Fishers Lions Club is part of the Carmel Lions Club. The club needs to reach a membership threshold before it can become an independent club.
“Lions Club International is already a very good international organization,” Brandon Ledbetter, Fishers Lions Club president, said. “We’re trying to bring what it offers to the community of Fishers.”
The Lions, in general, are known for championing sight-related issues. The club with international reach also helps the youth. The big motto is, “We serve.”
“Our focus point right now is what the town needs or how we can benefit the town,” Ledbetter said.
The club has been meeting for about three months. Ledbetter said Tony Elliot, assistant to the town manager, reached out to him about a member of the Carmel Lions Club, a past international director, trying to set up a club in Fishers.
An active guard reserve soldier, Ledbetter was in Afghanistan when Elliot contacted him via email.
While the club is planning on working with groups likes Fishers Arts Council and Fishers Music Works, the group is trying to focus on growing numbers.
Ledbetter said the group’s current “near term goal” is to get enough members to split off from the Carmel club.
“Carmel is actually very supportive,” Janice Chapman, Fishers Lions Club member, said. “They want us to succeed.”
Chapman was a member of the Carmel club previously, and took the opportunity to join the Fishers branch club once it started up.
Chapman said a Lions Club existed in Fishers and estimated it folded in the mid-2000s.
The Fishers Lions Club meets the first and third Monday every month at the Fall Creek Township Building, 11595 Brook School Rd., starting at 7 p.m. Those interested are welcome to come to the events.
If interested in joining or for more information, call Ledbetter at 417-1461 or email at [email protected].