I became a Lion because there’s no better time to start volunteering than right now

Trent Knuckles is publisher of The News Journal.

It is with great pride that I can now say, “I’m a Lion!”

Not the King of the Jungle type.

Not an aggressive warrior either.

No, instead the kind that wears the yellow vest … synonymous with peace and mercy and betterment of community.

I’ve attended meetings of all Corbin’s social and service clubs in the 20 years I’ve been a reporter at this newspaper. They are all such great organizations.

I’d been asked to join the Lions Club before, but always turned down the invitation. I felt like I just didn’t have enough time to properly devote myself to it.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to the realization that there is never really the perfect time to serve your community. It’s never going to be convenient to go out and try to make your small part of the world a better place. You just have to do what you can, when you can.

I got worried that if I waited for the perfect time, I’d just die with regrets.

So Monday, I officially became a Lion.

I couldn’t be prouder.

With the Thanksgiving holiday just a day away, I thought it was an appropriate time. I’m truly thankful for all the blessings that have been heaped on me over the years. People in Corbin have been so nice to me in the two decades I’ve lived here. Perhaps it’s time to give back.

I can’t wait to deliver baskets full of food to families who need it on Christmas Eve. I think the Lion’s Club Christmas Basket Program is truly a point of light in our community.

I look forward to helping raise money to assist with health programs that deal with hearing loss and vision, among other things.

There are so many good things the club is involved in. The same could be said of other organizations like the Kiwanis Club and Rotary.

My advice; if you’ve ever considered getting more involved in community service, these clubs are a great place to start. Don’t fret too much over your level of commitment. Do what you can. Even if it’s just a little, it’s more than nothing.

And I guarantee you someone will be thankful for your efforts.

SOME OTHER STUFF

• The City of Corbin reviewed and accepted its annual audit for fiscal year 2016 Monday, and it was generally very positive news.

One interesting thing to note, after losing hundreds of thousands of dollars a year since opening in 2009, The Corbin Arena appears to have actually turned a profit this past year. Certainly an encouraging sign.

You can read the full story about the audit in this week’s News Journal.

• I sure hope recent complaints by the staff at the Corbin Public Library don’t cause a long-term funding gap or hamper efforts to carry through with planned expansion of the facility. Our city library is a fantastic facility. Plans for the expansion were quite exciting. I pray whatever questions about actions by the board or directors, and issues with the way the library is run day-to-day get worked out quickly and satisfactorily.

• My family keeps asking me, rather insistently, what I want for Christmas this year? Is it normal that, the older you get, the more the answer to that question becomes “free time.”

• Recently, I organized a tournament here in Corbin for the board game Carcassonne. If you don’t know what it is, Google it. Such a fantastic game that anyone can enjoy. I love it. The tournament was such a great time.

Anyway, I’ve decided that I’m pretty much the best player in the world at it in a one-on-one game. Nobody can beat me. Anyone want to try? Let me know on Facebook. You can be my next victim.