Through Project Joy, the Rugby Lions Club once again provided joy to families who were in need this year. Project Joy has been part of the tradition of the Rugby Lions Club for nearly 30 years. The late editor of the Pierce County Tribune and the Rugby Lions Club President Mark Carlson brought the idea to the club and it was quickly adopted.

The idea was to ensure that children in our community who might not have a Merry Christmas, would have one with the help of the Lions Club. People in need would have a tag with a number corresponding to their names put on a Christmas tree in businesses around Rugby, and the public would have the opportunity to buy gifts for them. The Lions Club would pick up the gifts and ensure that each person received them.

Lions Club members Lila Harstad and Judy Jelsing have taken on the project for the last 10 years to continue its success. Without their willingness to carry on the tradition, Christmas would not be a joyful time of the year for many families. Harstad reported that over sixty families (181 individuals) were recipients of Project Joy this year.

On Dec. 16, several members of the Lions club came together to sort, package and distribute the presents. This community project could not have been successful without the Christmas spirit of those who purchased presents for the names on the tree and the Lions service to their community.

The Lions Club is the largest service organization in the world with locations in more than 200 countries. They have over 1.35 million members throughout the world. Rugby can brag that it has 45 members right here in our community. The Rugby Lions Club meets every Monday at noon at the Eagles Club and the public is invited to come and see what it is all about.

– Rugby Lions Club