The Hershey Lions Club recently supported the Cocoa Packs Presents holiday toy drive. The initiative helps children in need to receive Christmas presents and other items. Club members and friends donated new, unwrapped gifts, along with monetary donations worth over $500, to support the effort.

Additionally, the club recognized members with awards for their years of service to the club and community. The Lion of the Year and Melvin Jones Fellowship awards were presented at the club's charter night in December.

Kelly Mallonee, the club's financial secretary, was named Lion of the Year. In addition to her outstanding loyalty and devotion to Lionism, the club noted that Mallonee can often be counted upon to support its service projects.

Current club president Steve Gallerizzo received the Melvin Jones Fellowship, signifying his contributions to humanity and to the legacy of Lions Clubs International's founder, Melvin Jones. Donations to the Lions Clubs International Foundation are needed to qualify for the fellowship. These donations help to fund projects such as vision assistance, youth development programs, disaster relief, meeting humanitarian needs, combatting diabetes, reducing hunger, helping the environment, and providing support to children and families impacted by childhood cancer.

The Hershey Lions Club recently resumed in-person meetings. Lions Clubs are groups of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together to meet those needs. For more information, visit http://www.hersheylions.org. Information about Lions Clubs International is available at http://www.lionsclubs.org.