04/23/2026
We were so happy to meet the officers of the Canton High School LEOs Club and their advisor, Kim Burch, a Lion member and teacher. 2025-2026 LEO Officers are: Annie Berendzen, President; Emery Martin, CoVice President; Ellie Wilkerson, CoVice President; Navaeh Castillo, Secretary; Kaylee Kaumo, Treasurer; and Kyndal Chamblee, Journalist. After brief personal histories, a slide show presentation told the origination of LEO clubs nationwide, the Mission and Purpose, and that the Clubs were designed to promote Leadership, Experience and Opportunity (LEO) through community service, officially becoming a worldwide program in 1967 and official program of Lions Clubs International (LCI).
In 2006 the Junior High Counselor, Jennifer Brumley, started C-Town Eagles LEO club. A second E-town Eagle LEO club was formed in 2008 by our very own Lions Jimmy and Kathryn Strickland. At the time it was a community based club and met at American National Bank with about 15 members. The LEO Club is now based at Canton High school; Lion Kim Burch as been the club advisor 2016-2019 and 2021 to present. The club currently has 36 active members!
This 2025-2026 school year the LEOs have volunteered their time and served their community locally and nationwide with the following service projects: Cards for the Troops; Soda Tabs for McDonald House in Dallas (helps to support families stay close to their sick or injured children at Ronald McDonald House); Goodies for the First Responders (hand delivered to thank them for their service); Clean Up day at the Veterans Memorial (readying the premises for the annual Veteran’s Day celebration), then setting up and taking down chairs for attendees; Christmas “Stocking Stuffer” bags for the Canton ISD Backpack program; Mask and Poster decorating and assisting during the parade at the Mardi Gras Party at the local nursing home, Canton Oaks; and making Friendship Bracelets that they passed out to high school students on National Kindness Day. This month they are baking, stuffing and delivering stuffing bags to local bus drivers for National Bus Driver Day. Currently they are researching the making of Pillowcase dresses and donating to children in need.
Way to go Canton LEOs!!!
PS after the meeting members stuffed goodie bags for participants of tha April 27 2026 30th Annual Giles-Strickland Classic Golf Tournament benefitting Canton Lions Club and Canton Education Foundation which ultimately benefits Students of Canton ISD.
