The Lions Club of Kirkwood was chartered Oct. 12, 1926 and has led numerous fundraisers and charity efforts to benefit the Kirkwood community. Scott Scheffing, president, has been involved with the organization since he was a kid.

The Kirkwood Call: What are some of the Lions Club of Kirkwood’s main goals?

Scheffing: Our main goal is to help Kirkwood and Kirkwood people, particularly people who have eyesight problems. Twenty years ago there were a lot of students that went to KHS whose parents could not afford to purchase eyeglasses for them. We still [purchase them], but no one knows that. Kirkwood schools will call us and say they have a student that needs them, and we’ll buy the glasses.

TKC: What are some of the other contributions of the Lions Club of Kirkwood?

Scheffing: We’ve built quite a few things in Kirkwood Park, including the amphitheatre. We also do fundraising at the Greentree [Festival] and trivia. Most of the money we raise goes to Kirkwood, such as when we bought KHS band uniforms.

TKC: How did you get involved with the Lions Club of Kirkwood?

Scheffing: My dad owned a business in Kirkwood and I grew up in Kirkwood. I graduated in 1976 from KHS and started going to the Kirkwood Lions Club 20 years ago with my dad. When I got a little bit older I realized it was important to help people just for the sake of helping people and decided to get involved with the Lions Club.

TKC: How would you describe the Lions Club of Kirkwood?

Scheffing: Fun. Most Kirkwood Lions don’t necessarily live in Kirkwood. They typically did live in Kirkwood or have friends that live in Kirkwood. These are all people that have a little bit of time and a whole lot of heart.

TKC: How do people thank the Lions Club?

Scheffing: They just stop by at the Greentree Festival and say “Thank you.” We’re out there to help the community. We’re not really out there as an individual to say, “We did that, we did that, we do this.”

TKC: What does the future hold for the club?

Scheffing: We’re really trying to build on members. In all service clubs, the group size is getting smaller and smaller and smaller. People just don’t have as much time now and a lot of people think that by joining a service club like the Lions that they’re going to have less time. At the Kirkwood Lions, we have added three or four new members this year, which is pretty good.

TKC: What do you think people gain the most from being a member of the club?

Scheffing: Just the sense that they’re helping someone else that they’ll never know. I’m not even sure how to describe it. It’s just very satisfying and heartfelt that you’re helping someone maybe a little less fortunate than yourself.