A Brief History of Lions Clubs International and Port Stanley Lions

 

The distinguished history of Lions Club International forms the foundation of almost everything Lions clubs do today.  Lions have been helping people since 1917.  That year, Melvin Jones, a Chicago businessman, encouraged his club, the Chicago Business Circle, to go beyond promoting good business practices and convinced members that selfless service to others would create a better community - and a better world - for all.

 

Melvin Jones also saw that a network of clubs working together could do much more than individual clubs acting alone - and the Association of Lions Clubs was born.
In 1920, the fledging group became the International Association of Lions Clubs when a new Lions club was formed in Windsor, Ontario.

Broadening its role in international understanding, the association was one of the first non-governmental organizations invited to assist in the drafting of the United Nations Charter in 1945, and has supported the work of the UN ever since.

In the almost 100 years since its founding, the association - usually called the Lions Clubs International (LCI) - has spread to all corners of the globe, where Lions are welcomed and respected for their vision, integrity and dedication to our official motto: We Serve.

The Port Stanley Lions Club was chartered on January 20th, 1960 by a group of 30 dedicated and community-minded men,   Since then, the club has raised and channeled hundreds of thousands of dollars into the communities of Port Stanley, St. Thomas, and Elgin County.

Some of the clubs most successful and long-standing fund raising activities were initiated in the fledgling club's first 6 months of existence, and continue today:

• The first fish-fry was held in May of 1960, and was attended by 200 people.  Net profit? $18.00 - a far cry from the $10,000+ raised in 2010!

• The annual Dickens' Days Night Parade, Port Stanley's Christmas Parade, a magical experience organized by the Lions for the families lining the streets of Port Stanley.  Canned goods for the local foodbank are collected along the route by the Sailors Junior Hockey team   Many businesses remain open, and restaurants have special events and menus.

• the Lions Landing Marina Park and Boat Docks were developed on land offered to the club at no charge from Joe McManus.   60 years later, this is the Club's single biggest source of revenue, and as always, 100% of proceeds go to community projects.   Located just a few hundred metres upstream of the historic King George VI Lift Bridge, the property features 61 slips (51 serviced with hydro and water) that accommodate vessels up to 26 feet in length and up to an 8 foot beam.   Docks are installed mid-April and removed in mid-October.
  While boaters enjoy reserved dockside parking and picnic tables, the remainder of this beautiful green space is open to the general public, including a serviced, cement-floored picnic pavilion which can be booked for special events at no charge.   The site includes 4 Jimmi-John washroom units and is fully wheelchair accessible including the picnic tables and the Jimmi-John near the picnic shelter.