A LINE OF children shifts forward, the faint shuffle of feet echoing in the school hallway. Blake Copple steadies the vision screening device inside a room nearby, preparing for the next student. Today’s screening could be the first step toward clearer vision for some children — seeing the board in class, catching a ball confidently, or recognizing a familiar face from across the room. It’s one of the many ways Copple and his fellow Fayetteville Lions Club members work together to serve their local community.
Copple, a 22-year Army veteran, knows the value of teamwork and working toward a common goal. When he moved to Fayetteville from Huntsville, he wanted to continue serving his community. The Lions Club provided the perfect fit.
“When Lion Dexter Sullivan asked me if I wanted to join the Lions, I was very interested,” Copple recalled, but worried about his ability to participate because he was still working in Huntsville.“When I investigated and found that they met in the evenings and that many of their projects were on weekends and evenings, it was an easy decision.”
That decision led to 25 years of working alongside his fellow Lions Club members in programs like the annual sight and hearing screenings for school children. A digital photo screening device expanded their reach to younger children in day care centers, preschools, and Head Start programs.
“It’s rewarding to visit the schools each year, see teachers and staff, and observe the progress of students as they grow.”
Beyond the Lions, Copple’s service extends across Fayetteville. He has served on the Leadership Lincoln Board, the Fayetteville-Lincoln County Senior Citizens Board, and as a Tennessee Achieves mentor. Alongside his wife, Rhonda, he has supported the Lincoln County Humane Society, fundraising for the spay/neuter clinic and caring for homeless cat colonies.
“All of these volunteer activities are connected to my sense of duty to give back to my community,” he said. “I have also found a synergy between the many wonderful nonprofits and caring government offices in this area. The more we all know about the missions and services of the other, the better we can help our neighbors in need.”
His involvement with the Fayetteville-Lincoln County Museum has deepened his appreciation for Fayetteville’s past.
He shared, “I wasn’t raised in this area, but I have thoroughly enjoyed learning more and more about its history and roots that shape the current citizens and culture. I am lucky, and the whole region is lucky, to have a resource like the Fayetteville-Lincoln County Museum to document that history.”
Reflecting on 25 years of service, Copple sees the Lions Club’s value in all seasons of his life. “In the early years, it connected me to my new community. After I retired, it kept me moving and was one component of my sense of purpose. And at all times, it brought joy from knowing I was doing something to help others.”
We can all find opportunities to serve.
“Follow your heart. Find causes that match your passions. Even if you start small, anything you can do to help others is important.” GN
