New Leo club: The Sterling Lions Club has touched the lives of many Loudoun residents through diverse community efforts that include free eye care for needy students, a long-running wrestling tournament held at Park View High School and outreach projects that take Sterling residents around the globe to assist others in need. According to Michael Ryan, the club’s Second Vice District Governor, members of the local organization have assisted with the aftermath of natural disasters in Mexico, Japan, Chile, New Zealand and other locations.

This busy organization also takes the time to launch projects for students ages 12 – 18 through the chartering of school-based Leo Clubs in the area. The newest Leo Club was officially installed at Potomac Falls High School in December. The Sterling Lions Club also sponsors the Farmwell Station Middle School and the River Bend Middle School Leo clubs.

The 49 charter members of the new PFHS Leo Club include Leo president Patricia Mook, Vice President Anjali Bhatnagar and Secretary Priya Brito. The faculty advisor is Mrs. Rae Ann Paolozzi.

“We are excited to give back to our community,” Leo Club vice president Bhatnagar said. “Through this important work, we plan to make a difference in our community.”

Recent club efforts include eyeglass recycling and involvement in the Lions District 24-A Fall Leo Conference. In addition, the club participated in the Make-A-Wish Foundation effort to write letters to Santa for delivery to Santa’s mailbox at Macy’s at Dulles Town Center. Each letter addressed to Santa provided $1 for the foundation. And, previously, the group took part in the American Heart Association’s D.C. Heart Walk and raised nearly $200 for the effort by making red ribbons to sell at school and a local grocery store.

Upcoming projects in the planning stages include participation in a Spring canned food drive, the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk for the Cure and the Race for Hope in Washington.

The next meeting of the PFHS Leo club takes place on Monday, Jan. 9, at 8:10 a.m. at the school. Prospective members are welcome to attend. For information, call 703-310-9613.

For more information about volunteer opportunities with the Sterling Lions Club, call 703-723-0077.

The painted sky: If you happened to cross route 7 on Cascades Parkway shortly before 5 p.m. on New Year’s Day, you were in one of the best spots in the county to see two rainbows arcing completely across eastern Loudoun along the Potomac River. It was a pretty amazing way to start the new year and, I’m guessing, a good omen for all of us in eastern Loudoun.