Members of the Chickamauga Lions Club recently hosted a Supermarket Sweep drawing with Shop Rite of Chickamauga. Employees of Shop Rite, club members, and volunteers sold chances on the “Sweep.” Tickets were $5 each for the winner to receive five minutes alone in the store to fill their carts. Lion President, Donna Calhoun said that the idea of the Sweep came about while brainstorming with a friend for ideas to help raise money for the club. “When the economy went south, more and more folks were asking for our assistance, and the club needed a way to raise additional funds to help. Just as things were looking brighter, the area was hit by a string of devastating storms that added to already strained budgets,” Calhoun said.

This year’s winner was Nicole Fitzpatrick of Chickamauga. After the very tiring “Sweep” through the Shop Rite Store on Thomas Avenue, Nicole went home with $578.12 in groceries plus $50 in fresh meat that was donated by Shop Rite. Fitzpatrick arrived at the store on Saturday morning with her own cheering section, but it didn’t take long for the customers that were shopping to join in on the fun.

With funds raised from events such as this, our annual fall give-away, and Down Home Days, the Chickamauga Lions Club is able to provide assistance to folks in Walker, Catoosa and Dade counties. Assistance ranges from an eye exam or glasses to library books, school supplies, college scholarships, or assistance during disasters. For more information on the Lions Club and how you can help, please contact Lion Donna Calhoun at 706-260-7897, Lion Jim Touchton at 706-375-4023 or Lion Eddie Upshaw at 423-667-3167.