Rhinelander Lions Community Awareness Projects
Rhinelander Area Food Pantry Support
The Rhinelander Lions Club proudly supports the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry on the fourth Saturday of every month. Lions volunteers assist pantry staff by helping customers shop for groceries and loading food into vehicles. This hands-on service ensures neighbors facing food insecurity are treated with dignity while receiving essential nourishment for their families.
Annual Vision Screening
Each year, the Rhinelander Lions Club partners with medical
professionals and local schools to conduct vision screenings for young
children throughout the community. Early detection of vision issues is
critical to academic success and long-term eye health, allowing for timely
referrals and treatment when needed.
In 2025, Lions screened 894 children over eight different days,
resulting in 60 referrals for further professional
evaluation—demonstrating the life-changing impact of preventive eye care.
Deer Hide Collection
Every fall, the Rhinelander Lions Club coordinates a community-wide deer hide collection. Proceeds from this effort directly fund scholarships to Wisconsin Lions Camp in Rosholt, WI, which provides free summer camp experiences for children and adults who are blind, visually impaired, hearing impaired, or living with disabilities. This long-standing tradition turns a local hunting season into meaningful opportunities for inclusion and independence.
Highway Cleanup
Environmental stewardship is another way Lions serve. Each spring and fall, Rhinelander Lions volunteers conduct a highway cleanup along Highway 8, covering the stretch from Rental Center to Golf Course Road. This effort helps keep our community clean, safe, and welcoming for residents and visitors alike.
White Cane Days
During spring and fall White Cane Awareness collections, Rhinelander Lions set up outside local businesses to raise funds for Lions vision projects while also educating the public about white cane traffic and safety laws. These events raise critical awareness about visual impairments and reinforce the importance of safety, accessibility, and respect for those who are blind or visually impaired.
Christmas Community Dinner
On Christmas Day, the Rhinelander Lions Club prepares more than 1,000 Christmas dinners for our community. Meals are available by pick-up or delivered directly to homebound individuals, ensuring everyone has access to a warm holiday meal regardless of mobility or circumstance. This long-standing tradition reflects the Lions’ commitment to caring for our neighbors during the season of giving.
Eyeglass Collection Boxes
To support Lions’ global vision mission, the Rhinelander Lions Club built custom eyeglass collection pedestals and placed them at over 27 businesses throughout the Rhinelander area. Donated glasses are refurbished and redistributed to individuals in need, giving the gift of clearer sight and improved quality of life—one pair at a time.
Stay Tuned for Updates!
The Rhinelander Lions Club continues to grow its service
projects and community partnerships. Check back often for updates on upcoming
initiatives and new ways we’re serving our neighbors.