The Alexandria Lions Club combined community service and education during its Feb. 3 meeting, assisting with a stuffed animal donation drive for children affected by residential fires while also welcoming a guest speaker from LSUA.

Club members helped the Alexandria Lions Club Branch collect stuffed animals to be donated to the Alexandria Fire Department District 2. The items will be distributed to children who have experienced the loss of their homes due to fires.

The meeting also featured an informative presentation by Brittany Soden, director of the LSUA SPERO Program. Soden was joined by a student scheduled to graduate from the program this year, who shared her personal success story.

The LSUA SPERO Program supports students with intellectual and developmental disabilities by helping them gain independence and participate in a true on-campus college experience.

The Lions Club emphasized its continued commitment to service projects that support both immediate community needs and long-term educational opportunities.