The Eynon-Archbald Lions Club is helping to change lives this winter with its annual Snowflake Gala.
The gala will be held Saturday, Jan. 24, at Fiorelli Catering in Peckville from 6 to 10 p.m. and will benefit Leader Dogs for the Blind and the club’s community events.
This is the club’s 11th year hosting the gala to support Leader Dogs for the Blind, a Michigan-based facility that trains and provides guide dogs for visually impaired people at no cost.
Lions Club International founded the Leader Dog organization in 1939, and the Eynon-Archbald Lions have remained a loyal partner ever since. They are designated as a “Top Dog” donor, a recognition they earned for donating over $5,000 to the organization.
The event will feature an open bar, chef-inspired food stations and a dessert bar. Guests will be entertained with live music from local band The Wanabees and a DJ from TopShelf Entertainment. The event will also have basket raffles as well as an umbrella raffle with lottery tickets and cash prizes.
Some local sponsors helping to make this event happen are the Wright Center, Abington Financial, The Dime Bank and Northeastern Pennsylvania Optometric Society. Sponsorships for the Snowflake Gala include the Blue Ribbon sponsorship for $400, the Puppy Dog for $600, the Show Dog for $800 and the Champion Dog for $1,200. Advertisements in the event’s program start at $25.
WNEP’s Kurt Aaron will be one of the hosts of the event. The event will also have a guest speaker from Leader Dogs for the Blind to discuss how the organization has benefited them and others.
The Eynon-Archbald Lions Club raised over $8,500 for Leader Dogs at last year’s gala. Fran Stepkovitch, the club’s president and the state Leader Dogs coordinator, said they are hoping to raise even more this year. She said she has heard from clients directly how the donations from this event have made an impact on their lives.
“We’ve had several clients call us … and they’re very grateful for us donating and helping them become independent,” she said.
Kayla Penzone, with her Leader Dog Kane, was last year’s guest speaker at the Eynon-Archbald Lions Club Snowflake Gala. (Courtesy of Fran Stepkovich)
Stepkovitch said her favorite part of the event is meeting the guest speaker. Last year, Kayla Penzone, originally from Carbondale, brought her dog Kane and spoke about her experience with Leader Dogs for the Blind. Penzone moved out to Michigan with her mother and is now working with the organization.
Stepkovitch said it is inspiring to see the impact having a Leader Dog has on people’s lives.
“Helping people become independent in their own lives is the best thing, I think, about it. You’re able to help someone gain their independence back,” she said.
Besides benefiting Leader Dogs for the Blind, proceeds from the event will also benefit the club’s community events. The Eynon-Archbald Lions Club has over 60 members who serve the community in various ways, including providing meals, hosting community events, collecting eyeglasses and organizing cleanups in the spring and fall.
Tickets for the Snowflake Gala are $90 and can be purchased by calling or texting Stepkovitch at 570-470-7838. For more information, visit the Eynon-Archbald Lions’ Facebook page.
If you go
What: Eynon-Archbald Lions Club’s Snowflake Gala
When: Jan. 24, 6 to 10 p.m.
Where: Fiorelli Catering, 1501 Main St., Peckville
Tickets: $90. To buy tickets, call or text club President Fran Stepkovitch at 570-470-7838.
Info: Visit the Eynon-Archbald Lions’ Facebook page.