Charitable Partner - Maple Grove Lions:

Our charitable partner for the 2010 Maple Grove Half Marathon & 5K is the Maple Grove Lions Club, a part of Lions International.  Lions International is the largest service organization in the world, with over 1.4 millions members serving their communities in over 180 countries and areas around the world.  Lions are recognized worldwide for their service to the blind and visually impaired.

In the Maple Grove community, the Lions Club helps the visually and hearing impaired in many ways.  The club provides funds for eye exams, glasses and hearing aids.  Maple Grove Lions also support the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank, which provides donor eye tissue for transplant, research, and teaching.  As one of the largest and most innovative eye banks in the world, the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank has helped restore sight to more than 18,000 people, and the organization reaches important milestones in eyesight restoration every year.

Maple Grove Lions also support other community organizations in the Maple Grove area.  Among these are C.R.O.S.S. Food Shelf, Boy Scouts, School District 279, Maple Grove Police and Fire Departments, local high school athletics and activities, and senior citizen activities.  The Maple Grove Lions have also established a Scholarship Fund for local graduating seniors.  The club also assists needy residents with medical expenses, and provides Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday food baskets.

Lions are also involved in community projects, such as the Lions Park and Lions Pavilion, both located adjacent to the Maple Grove Community Center.

More information about the Maple Grove Lions Club is available at their website.  The club also welcomes inquiries about membership.