From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 31 through Sept. 3, the Abington Lions Club will sponsor Labor Day holiday coffee breaks at rest stops on Interstate 81N.
The program, in conjunction with Governor Tom Corbett and PennDOT, or the Pa. Department of Transportation, will offer free coffee and hot chocolate to motorists over the holiday weekend.
"It's a program we do four times a year: Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Thanksgiving," said Ed Borek, Abington Lions President. "We help provide coffee breaks to promote safety as the Governor and PennDOT encourage nonprofit organizations to do."
Borek said they provide coffee, hot chocolate and fruit punch at no charge. And they ask only a donation for doughnuts, cakes, pies and everything from oatmeal cookies and brownies to gingersnaps baked by club members and their families.
"The donations help the Lions support the community," said Borek.
He explained that the group that organizes the well-known used eyeglass collection also supports other activities such as the Leader Dog Program, where puppies are trained to be guide dogs for the sightless. The group is currently supporting a resident at the Beacon Lodge Camp for the Blind.
Another popular event they host is the holiday Community Santa program, where they organize Santa visits to children in the area.
Borek noted that the used eyeglass collections are ongoing at the Abington Community Library and local PNC Bank.
The Lions will be back to preparing refreshments for sale at an upcoming Hillside Harvest Moon Fest at Abington Area Community Park Sept. 29 and they will return to the kitchens to help provide treats at the Clarks Summit Festival of Ice, where they volunteer their time annually.
"It's all about Lionism in the community," said Borek with a smile.