In Lions Clubs International's early years, Helen Keller was one of the first speakers to address the members, and she said she needed "knights of the blind." Ever since, one of the core efforts of the Lions has been to help those who are blind or visually impaired.

2022 marks the 75th year that the Mountville Lions Club has served the community. Proceeds from the club's fundraisers go toward specific nonprofits and projects. The Lions help maintain the pavilion at Mountville Park, contribute to scholarships for Hempfield High School graduates, and support the Beacon Lodge, a nonprofit camp in Union County that offers programs for those who are blind or physically challenged in other ways. In addition to the Beacon Lodge, the club supports other programs that help people with vision impairment. The club also supports the Columbia Food Bank and organizes an annual Easter Egg Roll. This year's Easter Egg Roll is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, at Mountville Park.

Every year for over 60 years, the club has sold its homemade chicken potpie on the third Saturday of March and October. Club members cook the chicken, roll out the dough, and prepare the containers themselves. This fundraiser is one of the club's major sources of revenue, along with having roller ball stands at the Mountville Fire Company's Carnival and the Washington Boro Tomato Festival.

Much like the fall of 2021, the Mountville Lions Club will sell its chicken potpie in an adjusted format, hosting a takeout sale on Saturday, March 19, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 100 W. Main St., Mountville. The sale will run from 10 a.m. until sold out, which typically happens at about 5 p.m. This past October, however, the chicken potpie sold out early, so members suggest coming as early as possible to get a tasty meal. The potpie will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

"The Lions do a lot of good activities for the community," said Lions Club and chicken potpie committee member Jeff Weinman. "This is one of our major fundraisers to try to help support the community. We're very thankful for the support people have given to us in the past, and we look forward to making great chicken potpie for them in the future."

The Lions go through about 400 pounds of chicken, 200 pounds of potatoes, and 200 pounds of flour. Takeout containers will be provided, and there will be no dine-in option due to COVID-19 restrictions and the changing demographic of the club. In addition to chicken potpie, there will be homemade cakes and pies for sale as well as Lions brooms made by local Amish craftspeople.

The Lions Club welcomes new members. "We have great camaraderie while working to make our world a better place," noted Eric Weaver, chairman of the chicken potpie committee. To learn more, call Weaver at 717-368-2810 or visit http://mountvillelionsclub.com.