Jack and Helen Anderson have more than 50 years of service combined, yet there’s no sign of them slowing down.
The two currently serve as the secretary and president of the Lions Club of Sun City – Huntley, respectively.
Jack and Helen Anderson have been dedicated volunteers in their community and long-standing members of the Lions and other organizations. (Photo by Chris LaPelusa/Sun Day)
“The Lions has always been a family thing,” says Helen. “It’s something we can do together, and it has been a lot of fun.”
Jack said they look at Lionism as though it was a hobby. “I don’t enjoy playing golf, but like Helen said, it’s something we can do together…and we’re doing good for the community.”
Jack, who hit 35 years with the Lions last year, got his start in the organization following an invitation from his uncle into the Arlington Heights branch. His father served on the Chicago branch for about 20 years.
He mentioned that he talked Helen into joining the Arlington Heights branch when they started dating, and it has been something they have continued since.
In addition to the Lions Club, the Andersons have both been active at St. Mary’s Church on the welcoming committee. Jack has even served as chairman of the finance committee.
Additionally, for about five or six years, Jack has driven individuals living in Sun City to their doctors appointments and other locations.
“We have a number of members who do that, as well,” Helen said.
Speaking of the group, the Sun City – Huntley branch currently has 55 members. While the majority are members of Sun City, Jack notes about five have businesses in town and two others live in Huntley, but not Sun City.
The group’s biggest motivation is working with the sight and hearing impaired: “It’s what our club has done since its inception,” notes Helen. However, it has also found a home with the Grafton Food Pantry.
“Through all the years we’ve been involved and almost since its inception, we’ve donated at least $1,500 a year to the pantry,” she said, noting that members of the group help work at the pantry and help the pantry with certain services when it moves from one location to another.
One of the biggest events in recent history, however, was a flower show at Huntley High School.
“It wasn’t really something our group knew about. Since Jack and I were the only people who had attended flower shows [in the past], it was hard for them to sell their friends and neighbors on the show,” Helen said.
Since the event received such a positive response, the group is putting on another show, scheduled for April 8.
Proceeds from the show, as well as some other things, will go toward scholarships at the high school. Helen said she feels confident the Lions Club can support two $1,000 donations but was hopeful for three.
“Our first thought is that we’d like to present [these scholarships] to someone who is sight or hearing impaired, someone who is going to teach sight or hearing impaired children, or even someone who is heavily involved in community service,” said Jack.
In terms of the future, Helen said the club is always looking for community work projects: “Where there’s a need, we will try and fulfill it.”
Jack chimes in and notes that they are always open for ideas in the community. “We’re looking to help out and if we have the time – and normally we do – we try to help out however we can.”
The group is always looking for members, and the Andersons advised anyone interested in joining the group contact either them or any other member of the group. The group also meets at the Cosman Center every Thursday at 7 p.m. and has a dinner every fourth Thursday of the month.
“We try to be a social group, but we also bring in a speak to distribute some information to the club,” Helen said, noting such speakers have included representatives from the Woodchucks and Family Alliance.
Though the Lions Club operates from the dues collected from its members, any money collected from the outside is deposited into a separate account — the club’s project account.
“All of that money goes back to the community in some regard,” Jack said. “We support our club as members, but anything we get goes back to the community dollar for dollar.”
