Christmas Trees at the Farmers Market were a huge success!

The Ashland Lions had another fantastic year selling Christmas trees and wreaths at our location at the Ashland Farmers Market. The lot opened the day after Thanksgiving and sold out in just 11 days on Monday, Dec. 8!

We would like to thank the people of Ashland and surrounding towns who purchased their tree or wreath from the Ashland Lions tree lot. Your support helps a great cause, as 100% of the proceeds go directly to our local community, Lions Club International Fund, and the Mass Lions Eye Research Fund.

We are grateful to the Ashland High football team and Coach McKay for helping unload hundreds of trees, and to Boy Scouts Troop 232 and the Leos Club members who volunteered every weekend. A special thank you goes to Town Manager Michael Herbert and Assistant Town Manager Beth Reynolds for continuing to make our location possible.

Most importantly, we thank our Lions members for preparing the lot, covering every shift, and cleaning up when everything wrapped up. We hope to see you again next year!

Congrats to our Youth Speech Contest winners!

Lion Dan Mitchell with Speech Contest winner Meara Donald and first runner-up Prisha Bhola. Courtesy photo

The Ashland Lions held their annual club-level Youth Speech Competition on Dec. 3. The contest was open to all Ashland students in grades 9–12 who were sponsored by a Massachusetts Lions Club or Leos Club. Judges not familiar with the contestants were selected to score speeches on delivery, effectiveness, and content.

This year’s topic was “What can past America teach future America?” and each contestant delivered a 5–8 minute speech. All of them did an excellent job.

Our first-place winner was senior Meara Donald, and first runner-up was junior Prisha Bhola. Meara will advance to the next level of competition. All contestants should be very proud of their accomplishments.

Special thanks to Leo's Advisor Erika Thomson, AHS Principal Kelley St. Coeur, our judges, timekeeper, scorekeepers, text reader, and all volunteers who made the event possible.

Ashland Lions Meat Raffles

Ashland Lions is in full swing with another great year of meat raffles! Our next event will be held on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. Raffles are normally on the first Saturday of each month at 12 p.m. at TJ’s Food and Spirits in Ashland and run throughout the winter.

There will be great food, friendly people, and plenty of meat to choose from. See you there!

Senior Breakfasts 

Seniors are invited to join us and community members for a monthly breakfast on the first Thursday of each month (weather permitting) at the Ashland Senior Center, 162 West Union Street.

This event runs through May. Please contact the Senior Center to sign up no later than the Monday before each event.

Coats for Kids and Families

The Ashland Lions Club is partnering again with Anton’s Cleaners for the Coats for Kids and Families Drive. We are collecting warm winter coats for adults and children. All coats should be gently used, good quality, and free of rips, tears, broken zippers, or permanent stains.

Anton’s Cleaners will clean all donated coats and distribute them to local nonprofits, social service agencies, and schools so they reach those in need at no cost.

Collection locations include:

• Ashland Public Safety Building (12 Union Street)

• Focus on Fitness (290 Eliot Street)

• Cleaner’s Choice and Tailor (193 Main Street)

Happy New Year Ashland!

The Ashland Lions Club would like to thank the Ashland community for its support this past year. With your help, we had a successful coat drive, a great golf tournament, fun and lively meat raffles, a strong golf ball drop, and an amazing Christmas tree season.

We hope to see you soon at our upcoming events!

Become a Lion and Give Back

If you enjoy giving back to your community while meeting new people and having fun, consider joining the Ashland Lions!

For more information, contact Membership Chairperson IPP Betsy Andersson at [email protected], or message us on Facebook.

You can also find several Lions members at Honeydew on West Main Street most weekday mornings.

Eyeglasses and Cellphone Collection

Our eyeglasses and cellphone collection runs year-round. We collect used prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, hearing aids, and cell phones.

Since September, we have collected over 300 pairs of glasses. Thank you, Lion Warren Wales, for your tireless work on this project!

Collection boxes are located at:

• Ashland Post Office

• Ashland Senior Center

• Old train station – Ashland

• Moody Optical – Ashland

• Middlesex Bank – Ashland

• Fayville Post Office

• Studio Optics – Framingham

• Southborough Senior Center

• Southborough Post Office (Route 85)

• TJ’s Food and Spirits

• The Residence at Valley Farm

Stay up-to-date on Lions happenings

To get the latest updates on our events, visit our Ashland Lions Facebook page and click “Like” to receive notifications of any changes. While you’re there, be sure to follow Ashland Town News as well!