TEGA CAY, SC – The Tega Cay Lions Club is gearing up for its highly anticipated annual July 4th Fish Fry, a community tradition that also serves as the cornerstone of their yearly fundraising efforts. This event is a key component of Tega Cay’s Independence Day celebrations and marks the beginning of the Lions Club’s fiscal year for its extensive philanthropic endeavors.
Bob Constantine, Treasurer of the Tega Cay Lions Foundation and Chairman of the Fish Fry Committee, plays a pivotal role in orchestrating this large-scale event. He notes that the Fish Fry, held at the Glennon Center, is historically the Lions Club’s largest annual fundraiser. The event is open to everyone, not just Tega Cay residents. Attendees can enjoy a delicious meal while being entertained by the 20-member Queen City Swing orchestra, playing patriotic music from 4:30 to 7:30 PM.
The Tega Cay Lions Club, chartered in 1974 even before Tega Cay became a city, is part of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service organization with approximately 1.4 million members across 140,000 clubs. Their primary focus, Sight First, drives much of their humanitarian work.
Funds raised from the Fish Fry are directly channeled to various vital charities. These include the Lions Club International Foundation, South Carolina Lions Vision Services (providing essential eye surgery for those unable to afford it), the South Carolina School for the Deaf and The Blind, and the MUSC Storm Eye Institute, which conducts research on eye-related diseases. They also support Leader Dog for the Blind, an organization that trains and matches guide dogs with blind individuals.
Beyond the Fish Fry, the Tega Cay Lions Club is deeply embedded in community service throughout the year. They award three to four scholarships annually to Fort Mill High School seniors residing in the 29708 zip code. Their vision-related donations range from $500 to $4,500, covering costs for eyeglasses for low-income individuals and supporting programs like SPOT cameras for screenings. The Lions proudly host the annual Halloween Parade and a two-day Senior Citizens Christmas Party, inviting 400-500 elderly seniors from care centers across York County. Their “Reading Action Program” sees Lions members reading to second graders every Friday during the school year, culminating in a book gift for each child. They also host an Easter Egg Hunt at Runde Park.
A major year-round activity is eye screening, conducted from September through late January in York County elementary schools, screening approximately 10,000 students annually and assisting school nurses with required screenings.
For those interested in joining the Tega Cay Lions Club, membership is open to all adults. The club currently boasts 60 members, a number that is growing due to recent membership drives. An exciting development is the ramping up of a Leo Club for 16-22 year olds, with 17 potential members already identified and a goal of reaching 20. Informational sessions for prospective members are held at the Glennon Center; information can be found here.
In addition to the festivities, the Lions will present the Citizen of the Year Award at the July 4th parade. Residents are also invited to submit photos of current or previous July 4th festivities for a chance to win prizes in categories such as Most Patriotic Outfit, Most Nostalgic Photo, Best Parade Pic, and Best Pet in Patriotic Spirit.
