Lions Bill Craft and Lew Peery courageously started the first integrated Lions Clubs in the state of VA when they chartered the Roanoke Valley Breakfast Lions Club in May 1977. Cave Spring Lions Club offered sponsorship and mentorship since the beginning of the Club meetings. In 1987, the club became the first club in the District to welcome women as full members.
It is with this legacy that a nephew of Lew Peery by the name of Andre Peery joined the Roanoke Valley Breakfast Lions Club in November 2014 right after his uncle Lew Peery passed in September 2014. He felt a sense of responsibility to keep the Peery name alive in this great organization by serving others just like his uncle did.
After joining the Lions Club, he worked with several community activities like breakfast at the Rescue Mission, Talent Show for the Blind and Eyeglass Recycling. He also joined the Club Leadership and within a few years, I became President of the Club just like his uncle had done. He then became a Zone Chair with 5 other clubs to mentor and help and as of July 1, he became the 2nd Vice District Governor for District 24C in the State of Virginia. The history continues!
