Chef Zach Hodge, Culinary Arts Instructor for the Union County High School, was inducted into the Union County Lions Club as its newest member in September. Chef Zach and his students have partnered with the Lions Club in several projects and events over the past year, and the Union County Lions are looking forward to working with him as a club member.

Another recent addition to our club is Dr. Larry Zubel. Dr. Zubal, former Chief of Optometry, U&O Healthcare Center, Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, volunteers his time with Lions Club Vision Clinics and Remote Area Medical. We are fortunate to have two such talented volunteers assisting the Union County Lions in providing services to our community.

Union County Lions are a member of Lions District 12. Daniel Hughes, the District Governor of District 12, visited Maynardville to meet with the Union County Lions. He talked about the upcoming Lions Weeks of Focus. The first one will take place in October and will discuss and explore Mental Health and Well-Being. Hunger Week will take place during the first week of January 2026. Lion volunteers from around East TN will meet in Sevierville to pack boxes of food, each containing enough food for a family of five. Individual club volunteers can then take food boxes back to their county for distribution. In April, the Lions will celebrate Environmental Week, partnering with the TN Division of Forestry to brainstorm suggestions for improving our environment.

Be sure to stop by the Lions Club booth at the Heritage Festival on October 4th and the Sharps Chapel Festival on November 1st to say hello to your volunteers. They’d love to meet and chat with you. And they will have snacks for sale!