The Roar Next Door: How the Forney Lions Club Keeps Our Town Bright
By Forney Chronicle Staff
If you’ve ever munched pancakes with Santa, donated a toy to an “Angel Tree,” or wondered who rigs up the town’s eye screenings and food drives, there’s a good chance a Lion was behind it. The Forney Lions Club — part of the global Lions Clubs International family — has been quietly (and sometimes loudly) serving our community for generations, and they do it with the cheerful chaos that only a volunteer club can deliver.
What do the Forney Lions actually do?
Short version: a little bit of everything useful. The Club runs community fundraisers and family events (Pancakes with Santa is practically a town holiday), organizes vision and hearing screenings, supports food pantry efforts, and partners with Forney ISD on a massive Angel Tree program that has fulfilled nearly 1,000 local children’s wishes in recent campaigns. When the town needs help, the Lions are often the people who show up with both a clipboard and a smile. facebook.com
Where and when to find them (if you want in)
The Forney Lions meet regularly — the club lists a standing meeting night and posts contact details for anyone interested in joining or helping out. They also maintain an active online presence (Facebook, Instagram, a club website) where they announce events, volunteer needs, and the occasional heartfelt thank-you note. If you like fellowship, service, and the smell of pancake grease, swing by and say hello. Lions e-Clubhouse
A bit of history (because roots matter)
Lions in Forney aren’t new to town. Mentions of the Forney Lions go back decades, with local newspaper archives showing active community involvement in the early 20th century — a reminder that this club’s been helping Forney through good times and lean, “we really need more volunteers” times. Over the years the club has also been recognized at the district level for its service. So yes — the Lions have both stamina and a solid sense of civic duty. The Portal to Texas History
What makes them special (and slightly ridiculous—in a good way)
Volunteer groups can sometimes be all business; the Forney Lions are not. They pair earnest service with a sense of fun. Expect coffee-fueled planning sessions, members who can organize a charity run while simultaneously misplacing the megaphone, and an ability to convert any municipal problem into a fundraiser idea (a pothole? Pancakes for Pothole Relief!). That blend of efficiency and good-natured chaos is exactly why they keep getting results — and community laughs. You’ll leave a Lions meeting slightly more hopeful and possibly with crumbs in your lap.
Big wins (and the events that make them happen)
- Angel Tree partnership — The Lions play a major role annually in fulfilling Angel Tree wishes for Forney children, a project that has mobilized churches, schools, and local businesses to make holiday wishes come true. Forney Independent School District
- Community fundraisers and family events — From pancake breakfasts to community stampedes and holiday receptions, the Lions’ events are both cash-raisers and town-gatherers. Watch their Facebook for dates and volunteer slots — there’s always something on the calendar. facebook.com
How to help (or get help)
Want to volunteer? Donate? Have an organization that needs a hand? The Forney Lions make it easy: email, phone, or show up at a meeting — they even list meeting locations and contact info on their club site. If you’ve got a few hours and a willingness to serve, they’ll find a use for you faster than you can say “Where’s the pancake spatula?” Lions e-Clubhouse
One local anecdote
A longtime member once told me the secret to organizing Forney’s Pancake Dinner was simple: “You recruit the people who can flip pancakes and the people who can't flip pancakes but can sell 50 tickets.” The result: full bellies, pocketbooks with a little extra for charity, and the kind of community warmth no thermostat can replicate.
In short
The Forney Lions Club is the kind of hometown organization that turns intent into action. They teach kids to care, help neighbors in need, and throw events that make our streets smell like maple syrup and good intentions. They’re organized enough to move mountains (and paperwork), and goofy enough to make volunteering rewarding and fun.
If you want to plug into Forney’s volunteer heartbeat, consider the Lions. Whether you bring your leadership, your deck of raffle tickets, or just an appetite for pancakes, they’ll find a place for you — and probably a nametag.
Quick facts & contacts: Meetups and club contact details are listed on the Forney Lions Club site; check their calendar and Facebook for the latest events and how to help.
