At our Thursday, January 15, 2026 meeting, the Apex Lions Club welcomed an engaging and informative speaker, Ellison Lambert, Certified Youth Athletics Administrator and Certified Park and Recreation Professional. Ellison serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Town of Apex Volunteer Programs.
Ellison is originally from Cary and brings a strong background in community service and recreation. She earned her undergraduate degree from NC State University, then spent several years working at the Ronald McDonald House, supporting families during difficult times. Ellison later returned to NC State to earn her Master’s degree in Parks and Recreation. She is a member of the Special Events team for the Town of Apex, and next week will mark two years in her current position. Notably, she is the first person hired to fill this newly created Volunteer Coordinator role for the town.
Ellison shared impressive data that highlights just how important volunteers are to the success of town programs. In 2025, a total of 2,077 volunteers contributed 57,855 hours of service across town sponsored programs. If those hours had been performed by paid staff, the estimated cost would have been approximately $1.83 million. This remarkable contribution shows the true power of community involvement and service.
The Town of Apex organizes volunteer opportunities into two main categories, Community Engagement and Environmental Impacts. Town sponsored events and programs supported by volunteers include Environmental initiatives, Youth Athletics, Special Events, the Apex Youth Council, and Pollinator focused activities. These programs help strengthen community connections while also protecting and enhancing our local environment.
Ellison also discussed several opportunities that align well with the Apex Lions Club mission of service. One example is the Reading Buddies program, where children improve their reading skills by reading aloud to adults in a supportive and encouraging environment. This type of program fits perfectly with our Lions commitment to education, mentorship, and community support.
Another opportunity is the Adopt a Park program, which allows volunteer groups to perform park or trail cleanups a few times each year. Participating in these efforts would be a meaningful way for Lions to support environmental stewardship while maintaining the natural spaces that make Apex such a great place to live.
This presentation opened the door to new partnerships and service opportunities between the Apex Lions Club and the Town of Apex Volunteer Programs. By working together, we can expand our impact, support vital community initiatives, and continue our long tradition of service to those in need.
If you are interested in serving alongside the Apex Lions Club and making a difference right here at home, we invite you to join us. Together, we can turn volunteer time into lasting community impact.
We also had a guest from out of town. An old friend from India, Lion Canu visited us again and shared a few words about his club in India.
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