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March 24, 2025

Huntley Area Lions Club members greet guests at the Huntley Area Chamber of Commerce Expo. First row from left, Leos (a Huntley High School group) Amira Selltbekola and Kornelia Majewska. Back row from left: Lions members Jim Harper, Jim O'Connor and Jim Graves.
Steve Peterson
Huntley Area Lions Club members greet guests at the Huntley Area Chamber of Commerce Expo. First row from left, Leos (a Huntley High School group) Amira Selltbekola and Kornelia Majewska. Back row from left: Lions members Jim Harper, Jim O’Connor and Jim Graves.

Features • March 24, 2025

Huntley Area Lions ready to ‘Bowl for Sight’ March 30

By

HUNTLEY — The Huntley Area Lions Club, a community service organization 24 years old, is preparing for two community events.

The first is the fourth annual Strikes for Sight event, in cooperation with the Union Lions Club, which will take place at Glo-Bowl Family Center in Marengo from 12-4 p.m. March 30. The effort supports Leader Dogs for the Blind.

Also, the members will be at the Huntley Green & Clean Day, April 26 at Huntley Municipal Center, 9 a.m. – noon. They will be collecting a wide variety of items, including electronics recycling eyeglasses, gently used books, offer document destruction and more.

Huntley Area Lions Club leaders co-presidents Lion Kari Freeman and Pam Palmer, Lion Joan Citro and founding president Lion Jim Graves reflected the Huntley Area Lions Club as it now serves the Huntley area.

How did you learn about the Lions Club, what motivated you to join, become an officer?

Lion member Palmer: “I actually met my husband through a friend in Lions and ended up going to and participating in many events before becoming a member in 2012. Other Lions invited me to join and I couldn’t refuse after personally seeing all the good work that Lions do. I’ve held officer positions as that is a great way to learn even more about Lions and to help lead the club in doing projects and fundraisers in the community.”

Lion Graves: “I am the Charter President of the Lions Club of Sun City when it was chartered back in 2001. I have lived in Sun City since Dec., 2000 and joined the Lions back in 1974 in Sycamore, IL. A friend of mine from the Sycamore Lions, Lion Norb Jacob who was already a resident of Sun City, and I decided it would be good to organize a club in Sun City. It was chartered in March of 2001. I have been in five different clubs over the years and have enjoyed being of service to the public. We work hard in our projects but have fun doing it. You meet a lot of good people in Lions and have lasting friendships.”

Lion Freeman: “I first learned about the Huntley Area Lions Club at the Huntley Community Expo in 2022. After picking up a club brochure, I reached out to the Club President, Lion Pam Palmer. We had a great conversation, and I later joined the club at a dinner meeting. Fast forward three years, and I’ve had the privilege of serving as 1st Vice President, Secretary, and currently as Co-President alongside Palmer.”

What would you tell residents who are considering joining?

Lion Palmer: “Being a Lion is a wonderful way to make a difference in the lives of those who need help. The service projects that benefit others and fundraisers that allow our Club to make donations to many worthy causes are indeed fun and allow a person to meet other like-minded people who volunteer their time for those in need.”

Lion Freeman: “By becoming a member, you can actively contribute to meaningful causes, from helping those with vision and hearing needs to supporting local families and veterans. The Lions Club supports eight core global causes: Diabetes, Vision, Hunger, Environment, Childhood Cancer, Youth, Humanitarian Efforts, and Disaster Relief. Each of these initiatives provides an opportunity to make a lasting impact locally and globally through service, support, and community building.”

Which events or causes are your favorites?

Lion Palmer: “I have many favorites, but from being a co-chair for the Brat & Brew Fest held at Sew Hop’d that will be our third annual on Aug. 2, it is so much fun to watch those attending enjoy an afternoon of great food, music and relaxation for a good cause. For our service projects, anything that involves our core mission of assisting those with vision and hearing needs are my favorites.”

Have you lived in Huntley or Sun City long, occupation?

Lion Palmer: “Previous to moving to Sun City in May 2024, I was a resident of Union with my husband. I worked in banking and local government for my career and retired from being the McHenry County Auditor in 2018.”

Lion Citro: “I’ve lived in Sun City for 12 years and I worked for over eight years in Huntley as a Residential Realtor helping people buying and selling their homes and making many wonderful friends along the way. After retiring, I now have the time to give back to this great community. Becoming an officer has given me the opportunity to become more involved and I continue to learn about more opportunities and ways we can help those less fortunate. And I get to work with some amazing people.”

Lion Freeman: “I have called Sun City home for over six years, and it has truly been a wonderful community to live in. However, Huntley stands out as an exceptional place, thanks to its vibrant events and the outstanding work of its Chamber of Commerce. Professionally, I’ve been with Abbott Laboratories since 1997, where I currently serve as a Principal Software Engineer.”

Does the club have a strong representation in Sun City?

Lion Palmer: “Yes, many of our members are residents of Sun City, but we also have many Chamber members and others living in the Huntley area. Originally, we were the Lions of Sun City – Huntley from 2001-2018, but then changed our club name to the Huntley Area Lions Club in 2018 and expanded our focus to serving the entire Huntley community. We are always looking for new members to help us with our many service projects and fundraisers that help us meet Lions Club International’s motto of “We Serve!” Lions Club members total 1.4 million, in over 49,000 clubs worldwide, making us the largest service organization in the world.”