SOLA Lions Club of Whittier

11/02/2026

🐝 Meet Jenny Gray – A Lifetime of Advocacy, Compassion & Making a Difference!

Join SOLA Lions Club for a special guest speaker meeting featuring Jenny Gray, Executive Director of CAUSE (Community and Understanding for Special Education).

Jenny’s commitment to disability advocacy began with her own family’s journey. When her eldest son, Jason, was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy following encephalitis in infancy, Jenny became a passionate advocate for his educational, social, and developmental needs.

That personal experience grew into a lifelong commitment to helping individuals with disabilities and their families. After 22 years as an Instructional Assistant, working alongside students, families, and educators, Jenny now leads CAUSE with compassion, experience, and a mission to empower others through advocacy, support, and community engagement.

Come hear Jenny share her experience and learn how CAUSE is making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families.

📅 Wednesday, November 4
🕠 Social time: 5:30 PM – Come mingle!
🕕 Meeting & Guest Speaker: 6:00 PM
📍 Sage Restaurant, Whittier, CA

Our meetings are open to the public, and visitors are always welcome! Come meet our members, make new connections, and discover how Lions serve our community.

Learn more about CAUSE: https://spedcause.org/

10/08/2026

SOLA Lions Club is all about service — and tonight was a great example! 🦁💙💛

We were honored to welcome District Governor Jany Huang, accompanied by 2nd VDG Mary Contreras and PDG Chris Ohrmund, for a special visit and an evening of fellowship, club business and planning for the months ahead.

With the Special Olympics Southern California regional softball competition in Pico Rivera this Saturday, our Lions are ready to serve and support the athletes and teams. We’re also looking forward to the Athletes’ Holiday Party in December and our annual SOLA Lions Charity Golf Tournament in April. ⛳️

And there’s more! SOLA Lions approved funding for two branded pop-up tents to help athletes show up in style at events, plus an end-of-season celebration for Whittier teams. 🎉

So proud of this club and the way our Lions continue to Serve with Heart, Serve with Purpose, and Serve our Athletes!

🦁 We Serve!


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09/25/2026

🥎 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Help us make game day special. 💙

SOLA Lions Club is looking for volunteers to help support the Special Olympics Southern California SELA Regional Softball Competition on Saturday, October 10 in Pico Rivera.

Sixteen Special Olympics teams will compete, and we need friendly, enthusiastic volunteers to help create a welcoming and inclusive experience for athletes.

🙌 Help with check-in, event setup, welcoming participants, serving lunch and other event-day activities.

❤️ Why volunteer? Your time helps Special Olympics athletes compete, build confidence, develop their skills and make friends through sports.

📅 Saturday, October 10, 2026
⏰ 8:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Rio Vista Park, Pico Rivera
🍴 Lunch provided
💰 FREE to volunteer
👟 Volunteers must be 14+

No experience is necessary. Training and direction will be provided!

Advance registration is required.
📧 Email [email protected] for sign-up instructions.

Come spend a Saturday making a difference—and cheering on some amazing athletes!

09/02/2026

🦁💙 The September issue of SOLAMOTION is here!

Inside, we look back at highlights from our SOLA Lions Installation Dinner and welcome our new President, Crystal Dawes. We also spotlight an inspiring Special Olympics athlete, celebrate our recent Bowling Competition, and look ahead to Softball on October 10! 🥎

See what’s happening with SOLA Lions! 👇
https://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=7c3f8c31a9212344bb945f744&id=4e27c7ee1b

08/31/2026

07/25/2026

📸 2026–2027 SOLA Lions Installation Dinner Album

Relive an unforgettable evening as we celebrated the installation of President Crystal Dawes, our new officers and Board of Directors, recognized outstanding service, and reflected on another remarkable year of making a difference for Special Olympics athletes. Browse the photos capturing the fellowship, awards, leadership, and memories from our “Champions in Service” celebration. 🦁💙💛

07/15/2026

🦁 Our 2025–2026 Year in Review is HERE — and it's our best year yet!
From the playing fields of Whittier to the pool decks of Minneapolis, from a brand-new bocce ball court to a Champions Lions Club mentorship launched in Kenya — this year was defined by purpose, partnership, and the kind of service that leaves a mark.

Here's a glimpse of what's inside our latest newsletter:
🏅 700 athletes cheered and supported across four hosted Special Olympics events and one amazing holiday party
🥊 A new professional bocce ball court and ribbon-cutting ceremony
⛳ $35,000 raised for athlete uniforms, equipment, and celebrations — most of it from our most successful Charity Golf Tournament yet, covered by KTLA for the fourth consecutive year
⏱️ 5,868 volunteer hours contributed by our dedicated members
🏊 A $5,000 contribution to the YMCA of Greater Whittier in partnership with Whittier Host Lions Club and LCIF
🦁 7 new members welcomed into our pride
🌍 An international mentorship helping launch the first Champions Lions Club in Kenya

We also have exciting news about Lion Crystal Dawes attending the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis — and Lion Drew Sones being honored as the City of Whittier's Volunteer of the Year. 🏆

And on July 23, we celebrate our incoming President, Lion Crystal Dawes, at our Installation Dinner at Friendly Hills Country Club. We
hope to see you there!

👉 Read the full newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h4iZAZnvVy

07/14/2026

🦁✨ One of our own just returned from the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis — and we are so proud!

Lion Crystal Dawes, Head Coach of the Whittier Sea Monkeys swim team, had the privilege of witnessing athletes from across the country compete with incredible determination, courage, and heart. 🏊

One unforgettable moment? Watching games operations staff jump into the pool at the end of the swimming competition — pure joy, pure unity, pure Special Olympics. 💙

Crystal came home reminded of exactly why we do what we do: service is about creating opportunities, building confidence, and celebrating the abilities of every individual. True champions are defined not only by medals, but by perseverance, resilience, and heart.

We are grateful for athletes, coaches, and volunteers like Crystal who bring the mission of inclusion to life — here in Whittier and across the country. 🌟

"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

👉 Want to be part of the Inclusion Revolution? Visit solalionsclub.org to volunteer, donate, or start a Champions Club in your community.

06/21/2026

https://youtu.be/DrSOFqvHHxo?si=aRkn0x_YULHohS0R

Take a look at our full coverage of the World Games Opening Ceremon...

06/17/2026

Join us for a very special evening as we celebrate the passing of the gavel from outgoing President Linda Birch to incoming President Crystal Dawes at the SOLA Lions Club's Champions of Service Installation Dinner!

This memorable night will honor the leaders, members, and community partners who make our mission possible while celebrating a new chapter of service, friendship, and impact. Together, we'll recognize the accomplishments of the past year, install our 2026–2027 Board of Directors, and look ahead to an exciting future under Crystal's leadership.

✨ Enjoy an evening of fellowship, inspiration, and gratitude as we come together as Lions, friends, and champions for Special Olympics athletes and our community.

📅 Thursday, July 23, 2026
🕔 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Friendly Hills Country Club
🎟️ Dinner Ticket: $50

RSVP to Lion Susan Sones at (562) 696-5200

We invite all Lions, family members, friends, and community supporters to join us for this joyful celebration of leadership and service.

Together, we honor the past.
Together, we embrace the future.
Together, We Are Champions of Service! 🦁💙💛