After Record-Breaking County Fair, Lions Club Gives Back to Local Community

Local kids show off their new coats, donated by the Edmonson County Lions Club.

Darren Doyle, story:
After a record-breaking year at the 2023 Edmonson County Fair, the Edmonson County Lions Club is sharing the success with the same community that helped make this year's event the biggest ever.

Newly-elected Fair Board Chairman Donnie Turley said the Lions Club had to commit to investing much more capital this year, in order to secure a much bigger and better carnival--something that has been lacking in recent years.

The cancellation of the 2020 fair due to the Covid pandemic was a huge setback to the Lions Club, which was already struggling to attract fairgoers. Turley and a new group of Lions Club members began asking for support from businesses in the community to help make the much-needed investment happen, and it happened. Their efforts raised nearly $20K to help fund the new carnival and fair, which rejuvenated the community's interest in the annual event. As a token of thanks, the Lions Club wanted to pay it forward.

Edmonson County Lions Club members present local VFW Chapter 6937 a $1000 donation.

Edmonson County Lions Club members present local DAV Chapter 32 a $1000 donation.

So far, the Lions Club have provided the coats for this year's local Coats for Kids and made $1000 donations to each of the following local charities: VFW Chapter 6937, DAV Chapter 32, Santa's Helping Hands, Feeding America (Edmonson Backpack Program), Edmonson County FRYSC Affordable Christmas, and Turley said they have plans on doing even more in the future.

Edmonson County Lions Club members present Santa's Helping Hands a $1000 donation.

Edmonson County Lions Club members present Edmonson FRYSC Affordable Christmas a $1000 donation.

Edmonson County Lions Club members present Feeding America, Edmonson Co. Backpack Program a $1000 donation.

"We just wanted to do something for our community that gave back," said Turley. "There are so many good organizations in Edmonson County doing great things for our community and we want to help anywhere we can."

The Lions Club is making preparations for Santa to stop in Brownsville this Saturday, November 25th at 6PM for the annual Christmas Parade. Participants will lineup beginning at 4PM at Edmonson County High School.

The Lions Club is the title sponsor for this year's Edmonson Voice Christmas Parade Livestream that is scheduled to begin at 6PM on both the Edmonson Voice Facebook and YouTube pages.