Courtesy Photo Alpena Lion Priscilla Homolo holds up one of the handmade toy bears she knit to send to underprivileged children in Africa as part of the Mother Bear Project.

ALPENA — The Alpena Lions Club met on Tuesday, Feb. 13 and learned about the Mother Bear Project from Lion Priscilla Homolo. The Mother Bear Project has been providing toy bears that are crocheted or knitted by volunteers worldwide, to underprivileged children of Africa.

There are 17.9 million African children who have lost a parent to HIV/AIDS.

“A simple gift of a handmade bear can bring comfort and hope to a child who struggles to survive in a world made more difficult by this pandemic.”

To date, Homolo has knitted 1,650 bears and has a set goal of 100 per year.

The dedication and generosity that Homolo displays is the motivation that drew her to the Alpena Lions Club. If you can knit or crochet, you can be a participant in the Mother Bear Project. “Make a Bear. Make a difference.”

Learn more at motherbearproject.org or at Facebook.com/motherbearproject.

The Alpena Lions Club meets weekly at noon on Tuesdays at the First Congregational United Church of Christ.

If you are interested in joining, visit the Alpena Lions Facebook page or the Alpena Lions website at alpenalionsclub.com.