The Mattapoisett Lions Club, a member of Lions International that consists of 45,000 clubs and more than 1.3 million members worldwide, is announcing a $5,000 scholarship to be awarded this year to a graduating high school student residing in Mattapoisett, Marion and Rochester.

The funds for this award are raised through fundraisers held by the Mattapoisett Lions Club throughout the year, including Harbor Days an annual festival held in Shipyard Park every July.

The Lion’s Club motto is “we serve” and one of the largest charitable causes of Lions International includes raising funds for eye research in an effort to end preventable blindness throughout the world and providing services for those in need in our community.

To qualify for the scholarship, a graduating student or home schooled student must be enrolled in their first year of a recognized school of higher education, must be a resident of the tri-town area and have demonstrated service to the community. Special consideration will be given to those looking to a career in an eyesight related field.

Lions also encourage participating in the Lions’ Youth Speech Contest sponsored every year by the Mattapoisett Lions Club and open to all high school sophomores, juniors and seniors in the tri-town area.

To obtain an application, learn more about this award or to learn how to become a member of the Lions Club, visit www.mattapoisettlionsclub.org. Award applications are also available through the guidance department of high schools. Applications may also be obtained by calling Helene Rose at 508-758-9841

Applications must be received by March 31.