Plainfield Lions Club Donates $61K To Local Families

PLAINFIELD, IL — The Plainfield Lions Club reached 192 families this holiday season through its annual Christmas Basket program, organizers said.

On Dec. 13, 66 club members and friends delivered Jewel gift certificates totaling $61,500 to the families. The Lions Club estimates the 2025 program helped about 1,000 people.

Fifty-nine Lions members and people in the community donated to the program this year, and Jewel offered the club a $3,075 discount on the gift card purchase, according to a news release from the organization.

The Lions Club conducts fundraisers throughout the year to support the basket program in addition to its other outreach efforts, including providing glasses, eye care and hearing aids to those in need.

"We know we have touched them in a very real way and hopefully lightened their burden during this holiday season," event chairman Larry Wiers said in a statement.

In the 27 years since Wiers has overseen the event, the basket program has helped more than 17,000 people with $521,700 in gift certificates for food. The program first began with physical baskets packed with food but later transitioned to certificates.

"The Plainfield Lions Club is committed to helping those most in need in the Plainfield area, especially during these difficult times," Wiers said.