Lions Club gives back to local charities

Published 4:03 pm Thursday, April 28, 2016

Charities from throughout Chilton County were on hand on Wednesday at The Clanton Advertiser to receive donations from the Clanton Lions Club. Glenn McGriff, Tommy Patterson, Larry Culpepper, Jason Griffin, Zack Bates, Angie Glenn, Mckinzie Glenn, Gay West, Jo Walter, Kimberly Lyn, Renee Green, Britt Culpepper, Donny Martin, Steve Forrest and Tyson Elroy were on hand. (Photo by Anthony Richards)

Charities from throughout Chilton County were on hand on Wednesday at The Clanton Advertiser to receive donations from the Clanton Lions Club. Pictured are Glenn McGriff, Tommy Patterson, Larry Culpepper, Jason Griffin, Zack Bates, Angie Glenn, Mckinzie Glenn, Gay West, Jo Walter, Kimberly Lyn, Renee Green, Britt Culpepper, Donny Martin, Steve Forrest and Tyson Elrod. (Photo by Anthony Richards)

The Clanton Lions Club handed out checks to various charitable organizations and agencies throughout Chilton County on Wednesday.

According to Clanton Lions Club Treasurer Britt Culpepper, the money is raised each year during the Peach Festival’s pageants and Peach Auction.

The club’s 2015 budget totaled over $22,000, which was then spread out among Chilton County charities.

The checks handed out on Wednesday were proceeds from the 2015 events.

According to Culpepper, it is a way to give back through great charitable organizations that have proven to have the best interest of the community in mind.

Preparation for the 2016 Peach Festival is set to begin with orientation for Peach Pageant registration to be held at Senior Connection on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Local agencies that received checks from the Lions Club included Alabama 4-H, Chilton County YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, Donny Martin Scholarship Fund, PEECH, Chilton County Special Olympics and Relay For Life, as well as many other community-driven organizations.

“They’re very gracious and well-deserving of the money,” Culpepper said.

According to Culpepper, earlier this year, the Clanton Lions Club donated a significant amount of money toward the renovations of Chilton County High School’s auditorium.

“Most of the charities supported are to benefit the needs of children,” Culpepper said.