Lions Club celebrates 94 years of helping children
The Downtown Lions Club has spent the last 94 years helping children see a better tomorrow, and their vision remains strong, knowing there is a lot yet to be done.
But that work has become much harder as numbers dwindled. Like many long-standing service organizations, the Lions Club is seeing few young members join their ranks as their current members reach their 70s.
The group celebrated its 94th anniversary with a host of local and state officials during a luncheon Tuesday.
The organization received numerous articles of commemoration from local and state elected officials and received a special phone call from Lions Clubs International President Dr. Jitsuhiro Yamada of Japan.
He told the Lions Club members they have accomplished great things in their community through their compassion and dedication to reach out to others.
“This club was chartered by concerned, caring people who understand by working together for all would make a larger impact. You all are bringing dignity and humanity through service, and that makes the world a better place,” Yamada said.
The Downtown Lions Club is the third oldest Lions Club in the state.
Past District Gov. David Burkett said while the local club has provide hundreds of thousands of dollars for youth’s eye care and assisted thousands of boys and girls, the club has more work to do.
But while the group used to have 128 members in the mid-1970s, it now it has 17.
“It’s not just us. It’s all over the country. Organizations can’t get young members because they don’t have any young members,” Burkett said.
Lions Club International is the world's largest service club organization. The organization’s programs include sight conservation, youth outreach, international relations and environmental issues.
The Lions Club has a free eyeglass program, makes referrals for eye surgery, funds eye research and runs a special needs children’s camp.
Without new members, especially younger people, Burkett believes these service organizations will cease to exist when current members are unable to continue serving.
That thought is depressing, Burkett said, knowing the work of the Lions Club and similar organizations will always be in demand.
Since 1968, the Lions Club has prevented vision loss for more than 30 million people and treated more than 150 million.
Within a few months Lions Club will have given grants totaling $1 billion.
He said the work of Lions Clubs across the world is made possible by the members of their communities who donate time and money for their cause. He urged people to continue to support service organizations and join their ranks so they’ll be viable for another 100 years.
Follow Scott Rogers on Twitter @lscottrogers