It has been said that the true measure of an organization is not the size of its membership but instead the size of its collective heart.

That is certainly the case when it comes to the Coal Grove Lions Club. The small civic organization that only had a handful of active members until a recent resurgence has stepped up to help its sister club in the Ironton Lions.

The Ironton civic organization took a big hit several weeks ago when thieves vandalized and robbed the former State Route 75 tunnel that the club uses as a haunted attraction each October to raise thousands of dollars for a variety of community projects.

Preliminary estimates show it will cost more than $10,000 to repair the damages and have the tunnel ready for October.

After learning what the Ironton group was facing, members of the Coal Grove club knew that they needed to do something to lend a hand. With that in mind they are preparing to host their first cruise-in car show, with a portion of the proceeds to go to the Ironton club.

The cruise-in will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Dawson-Bryant High School. The event is open to all vehicles, from vintage cars and tractors to motorcycles.

Members of the Coal Grove Lions should be commended for their community spirit and willingness to help a fellow civic organization that tries to give so much back.

That spirit is a far more significant measure of this community organization than a head count of members will ever be.