Carla Moyer wants to pass on her past experiences with public service by forming a Leo Club in Natchez. The club, which promotes service, is organized through Lions Club International for people ages 12 to 28.

&uot;It’s a club that provides opportunities for young people to serve their community and to gain leadership characteristics and just to grow individually,&uot; said Moyer, a Natchez resident.

Moyer is a former Leo Club member and a current member of the Natchez Lions Club.

She began developing the Leo Club this fall, and students from Adams County Christian School, Natchez High School and Trinity Episcopal Day School have already signed up to participate. The club is also open to home-schooled students.

So far about 12 students have signed up, and Moyer’s long-range goal is to have around 44 members – the same as the Natchez Lion’s Club.

Since the club is so new, Moyer said they have only participated in one service project, volunteering as bell ringers for the Salvation Army.

But in the future, they are planning other service projects such as tutoring elementary students.

And naturally, they will take part in any project sponsored by the Natchez Lions Club, Moyer said.

It has long been a dream of the Natchez Lions Club to form a Leo

Club. &uot;They said they’ve talked about it for years but nobody had been associated with it or familiar with it enough to try to start (a local chapter),&uot; Moyer said.

Moyer hopes the local chapter will give young people the same opportunities she had as a young person – the chance for personal growth and to serve others.

&uot;It makes you feel good about serving,&uot; she said. &uot;Seeing people’s faces when you do something for them – it makes you feel good.&uot;

The Natchez Leo Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month at Ramada Inn Hilltop.

It will hold an induction banquet for new members at 7 p.m. Jan. 23.