MIDDLEBURG – The Safe Animal Shelter was in desperate need of food and supplies for their fast-growing feline population as well as recent additions of their floppy-eared K-9s, so Carl Crosby, Vicky Crosby, Celia Vencil, Dave Vencil, Richard Campbell and Michael Poweleit from the Orange Park Lions Club stepped up and helped those Furry Friends this holiday season.

They donated more than $400 worth of cat, kitten and dog food and other supplies to help with the ever-growing population of animals. Time was also spent at the shelter visiting workers and the animals. The shelter always needs foster homes, especially during the holidays. Becoming a foster caregiver is a fantastic experience that allows you to take part in saving the lives of animals.

To get started becoming a foster caregiver, contact the shelter.

Safe Animal Shelter is the oldest no-kill shelter in Clay County. It receives no government funding, and the homeless cats and dogs it takes in are provided with quality care only through private donations. They aim to reduce the number of cats and dogs euthanized in Clay County and Northeast Florida.

All the great care the animals receive is from community support. There are “wish lists” provided on Amazon and Chewy websites and on the Orange Park Lions Club website to order donations to ship directly to the shelter or to get ideas of what to bring when you visit the lovely animals. All donations of time, money, food and supplies are much appreciated. Contact the shelter with any questions about fostering or for more information on their programs (904) 375-9122 seven days a week from noon to 5 p.m.

Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization, with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries. The local Orange Park Lions Club just celebrated its 75th Anniversary last year. They meet on the second and fourth Monday at 7 p.m. at their meeting hall at 423 McIntosh Ave. The club provides vision screening and eyeglasses to those in need, accepts donated used glasses and hearing aids, provides eye exams for those who can't afford them, provides diabetes research, helps veterans with pancake breakfasts, hosts community events like National Night Out, help local food banks, help feed

folks at the Clay Impact Trains, help at back-to-school bashes and many other services like the Safe Animal Shelter.

For those interested, come to a meeting or call (904) 264-5866.