It’s hard to quantify the impact a group of volunteers can make over the course of 75 years. For Charlotte Lions Club members, impact is measured in many different ways, all of which were celebrated Saturday, Nov. 5, the 75th anniversary of the club’s formation in the community.
The Lions Club was formed Nov. 5, 1941 in an effort to support the needs of the day. For the past 75 years, Lions Club members have done their best to fulfill the needs of the Charlotte community, big and small.
“We’re really a grassroots organization that is here to help when people need it,” said Nancy Lampman, current Charlotte Lions Club President.
A big community need the Lions identified this past spring was funding for the Charlotte Community Library. In an effort to raise funds, the Lions Club established a penny drive, setting out collection sites throughout the community and a five-gallon water jug at the Library.
Lampman said she has been overwhelmed by the community’s support.
“I think it’s one of the biggest and best projects we’ve had in a long time,” Lampman said.
She is also encouraged by a new partnership the Lions Club recently established with the Charlotte Rotary Club. The two service organizations have joined forces to create a new non-profit, Friends of Beach Market, which has been established for the revitalization of the Charlotte landmark.
These kinds of relationships are not new to Lions Club members.
Bob Phillips, who has been a member of the Charlotte Lions Club for the past 41 years, said he’s cherished many of the relationships he’s created over the years through the Club.
“You create a lot of great friendships,” Phillips said. “We’ve even had people over the years come and go, but it’s surprising how many of them you still know and how many are still willing to help.”
People may be so willing because the Club provides a valuable service to the community that is both rewarding and fun for members, Phillips said.
Lampan said the Lions Club is made up of “good, community-minded people with hearts of gold.”
Currently, the Charlotte Lions Club is made up of 17 members, but is always looking for new members to join. They meet the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Spartan Room at the Charlotte Community Library.
You can read more about the Charlotte Lions Club, its purpose and accomplishments in the advertisement below.
