Learning How Apex Connects Its Community

At our July 16, 2026 meeting, the Apex Lions Club welcomed representatives from the Town of Apex Community Engagement Department for an informative and engaging presentation about the many ways they help strengthen connections throughout our growing community.

We were pleased to welcome Donald Hughes and Jimmy Torres Irizarry, who were accompanied by Community Engagement Manager Brianne Gill. Donald led the presentation with tremendous enthusiasm, making it easy to see his passion for helping residents become active participants in the life of our town. His energy and engaging style encouraged plenty of questions and discussion, resulting in an excellent conversation that continued after the presentation.

The Town of Apex Community Engagement Department works to build meaningful relationships between the Town and its residents by encouraging participation in local programs, supporting neighborhood leadership, and creating opportunities for neighbors to connect with one another. Their mission is to help create vibrant, healthy neighborhoods where residents feel informed, involved, and empowered.

Our members learned about several Community Engagement programs that are available to Apex residents. These are the building blocks of community engagement including:

• The Neighborhood Registry, which helps neighborhoods connect with Town resources.
• The Neighborhood Leaders Summit and Chat and Chew gatherings, which help neighbors build relationships and strengthen communication with Town staff.
• Neighborhood Beautification Grants, which support projects that improve neighborhoods and encourage community pride.
• Brown Bags to Building Bridges (“B4”), a lunch series that encourages learning and conversation around topics important to our community.
• CommUniversity, which gives residents an inside look at how Town government operates.
• Think Apex Day and the Think Apex Awards, which celebrate community involvement and recognize those making a positive impact.

You can learn more about the Community Engagement department at this link.

As Lions, we share many of the same goals. Lions Clubs International is dedicated to empowering volunteers to serve their communities and meet humanitarian needs. The Apex Lions Club has proudly served our community since 1937 through vision assistance programs, children’s vision screenings, eyeglass and hearing aid recycling, scholarships, disaster relief, and support for many local organizations. Learning about the Town’s Community Engagement initiatives reminded us that strong communities are built through partnerships, volunteerism, and neighbors working together.

We sincerely thank Donald Hughes, Jimmy Torres Irizarry, and Brianne Gill for taking the time to visit our club and share the valuable work being done by the Town of Apex. Their presentation gave our members a greater appreciation for the many opportunities available for residents to become involved and make a positive difference in Apex.

If you are interested in serving Apex while making lasting friendships and improving the lives of others, we invite you to join the Apex Lions Club. Together, we can continue building a stronger, more connected community for everyone.