Editorial: Belleville’s spirit has renewed energy

Three groups have announced they wish to start chapters of their organizations in the Belleville, Van Buren, and Sumpter area.
First, the Kiwanis Club started organizing a chapter. Its next meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 6:30 p.m. in Room C-104 of Wayne College Community College on Haggerty Road.
Then, the League of Women Voters was invited to start a tri-community chapter here. Its first meeting will be at 7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 18, at the private dining room of the restaurant at Belle Plaza on Sumpter Road.
Now, we’ve been advised the Lions Club wishes to start a Belleville, Van Buren, Sumpter chapter. Years ago, the Lions Club was a very active organization here. Well, they’re coming back.
The Lions Club’s first meeting will be at the Belleville Area Chamber of Commerce building at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19. They need just 20 people to start, said Lion Bill Van Winkle of Canton.
The Canton Lions have been serving this community for years and also standing out on street corners in Belleville to collect donations. Van Winkle said the Lions and Kiwanis service clubs are historical competitors, but the more the merrier.
What brought these three groups to Belleville at the same time? Must be the community spirit is expanding. We welcome them all and hope volunteers spring forth to make it all work. Belleville’s heart is growing!