USA

Don’t Stop Believin’

The Edison Metro Lions in New Jersey first thought they could help others through COVID-19 by making non-medical facemasks for their community. But that didn’t materialize, says PDG Eddie Hui, founder and director of the Edison Metro Lions Club and music group. Sewing is not their expertise.

Music is.

Edison Metro Lions take their musical talents to the small screen.

The club’s motto is “We Serve the Community with Music,” and since chartering in 2008 they have prided themselves on entertaining at local senior centers, veterans’ homes, and cultural events. Some performed at Lions Clubs International conventions in Toronto, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Milan.

Now they’re on YouTube performing the 1981 Journey song, “Don’t Stop Believin,” in the hopes of uplifting and motivating others through the pandemic.

When the idea for a motivational video came up, past club president Linnie Hui asked for volunteers from the four Leo clubs sponsored by the Lions: Edison, East Brunswick, Highland Park, and Somerset. Clara Lee, president of the Highland Park Leo Club, already had a song in mind, and knew she could use her skills in video editing to lead the fun project.

“Many of our best activities come from team work and cooperation within the club,” says Lee. “Usually this involves planning performance events at veterans’ homes.”

But this time was different with each Lion and Leo quarantined at home. Each member’s role had to be explained and planned, and because the technology and concept of individually playing parts of a song was new to certain members, this was one of the hardest parts of the process, says Lee.

Eleven of the 38 members from three of the four Leo clubs performed. Although no Lions participated in the instrumental video, they helped by organizing communication between the clubs and sending in encouraging messages that can be seen in the video.

Prior to quarantine, the Leos participated in environmental cleanup projects, food bank services, performing at senior homes, and fundraising events that support the LCI mission. Now, Lee said, they hope to also make a strong impact in the community virtually and remotely.

Watch the video here.