At the Wisconsin Lions State Convention, held May 1-3, 2025 in LaCrosse, the Fox Valley Lions MJ Tassoul Memorial Medical Equipment Loan Locker was presented the Lions International Kindness Matters Service Award.
The Kindness Matters Service Award recognizes exceptionally innovative and creative service projects with the aim of leaving a positive impact within their communities. This prestigious award, given annually to a handful of Lions and Leo clubs, recognizes those implementing an outstanding service project in any of Lions International’s global causes.
The Fox Valley Medical Locker achieved this rare distinction as the only project in Wisconsin to receive this honor. It was selected from a vast number of initiatives to be one of only six awardees in the United States and one of just 32 recognized across the globe.
In 2023, inspired by the work of the Larsen-Winchester Lions, 11 area Lions clubs joined together to open a free medical equipment loan locker in the Fox Valley. The member clubs are Appleton Evening, Appleton Noon, Freedom, Greenville Lions, Greenville Lioness Lions, Grand Chute, Heart of the Valley, Kaukauna, Larsen-Winchester, Neenah and Sherwood. These Clubs support the locker both financially and through their volunteer efforts.
The motto “We Serve” guides Lions clubs in their communities. What is unique about the Fox Valley project is that it is a collaboration of area clubs. Proudly displayed at the loan locker are Helen Keller’s 1922 words urging Lions to work together: “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”
Opening in August of 2023, the locker served 801 clients in its first five months, that number soared to 3,066 in 2024, and continues to grow with the first three months of 2025 serving 1,128 clients.
The loan locker is located at 312 W. Northland Avenue in Appleton and is open Wednesdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9:00-11:00 a.m.
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