In the Lions Club International's early years, Helen Keller was one of the first speakers to address the members, and she said she needed "knights of the blind." Ever since, one of the core efforts of the Lions has been to help those who are visually impaired.

Next year will mark the 75th year that the Mountville Lions Club has served the community. Proceeds from the club's fundraisers go toward specific nonprofits and projects. The Lions help maintain the pavilion at Mountville Park, contribute to scholarships for Hempfield High School graduates, and support the Beacon Lodge, a nonprofit camp in Union County that offers programs for those who are blind or physically challenged in other ways. In addition to the Beacon Lodge, the club supports other programs that help people with vision impairment.

Every year for over 60 years, the club has sold its homemade chicken potpie on the third Saturday of March and October. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lions were unable to host three of these major fundraisers. On Saturday, Oct. 16, however, the Mountville Lions Club will bring the event back in an adjusted format, hosting a takeout chicken potpie sale at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 100 W. Main St., Mountville. The sale will run from 10 a.m. until sold out, which typically happens at about 5 p.m. The potpie will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

"We miss all the people in the Mountville community and seeing all the friends who support us," said Lions Club and chicken potpie committee member Jeff Weinman.

The Lions go through about 400 pounds of chicken, 300 pounds of potatoes, and 175 pounds of flour. Takeout containers will be provided, and there will be no dine in option due to COVID-19 restrictions and the changing demographic of the club. In addition to chicken potpie, there will be homemade cakes and pies for sale as well as Lions brooms made by local Amish craftspeople.

On Saturday, Oct. 23, a percentage of the ticket sales at Boulders Miniature Golf, 312 Primrose Lane, Lancaster, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will benefit the Lions Club.

The Lions Club welcomes new members. To learn more, call Eric Weaver, chairman of the chicken potpie committee, at 717-368-2810 or visit http://mountvillelionsclub.com.