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SOUTH HOLLAND LIONS CLUB
HISTORY
The South Holland Lions Club was chartered October 16, 1946, by 31 South Holland residents with the Lansing Lions Club being the sponsoring club. We are a member of District 1-A known as the "Mother" District because the Lions International Headquarters in Oak Brook is located within the boundaries of the District.
MISSION STATEMENT
The focus of the South Holland Lions Club is to support the South Holland community foremost, as well as the projects of Lions Club International and our local District 1-A. We will maintain and publicly support the moral values upon which the South Holland community was founded, unite with our fellow Lions members to promote brotherhood through the sharing of ideas and services and promote the growth of the South Holland Lions Club.
HOW WE OPERATE
The Club meets the first and third Thursday evenings, except July and August, at the Heritage House (formerly the American Legion Hall) located in "van O" park in South Holland. This is a dinner meeting often with a guest speaker. All club activities are governed by its officers and directors.
Administrative funds for the club are maintained by a dues structure. Charity funds are maintained separately and no expenditure is made without the scrutiny of the officers and directors.
Lionism is not all work. It is a combination of dedication and fun. Charter nights and installation nights are planned with the spouses in mind. Golfers enjoy our club Golf Outings and District tournaments. Bowlers participate in District Tournaments. Members can take in the District, State and International Conventions.
OUR CLUB HAS PARTICIPATED COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING PROGRAMS
CANDY DAY - This annual October event collects donations in South Holland with most of the proceeds going to the Lions of Illinois Foundation and the balance being retained for candy costs and distribution locally to visually impaired residents.
PANCAKE DAY - Until COVID-19 This was a South Holland tradition, held on a beautiful May Saturday. The South Holland Lions raised money to support special projects or individuals who are visually/hearing impaired.
CHILI DINNER – Also until COVID-19 this dinner was a time when the community can come together for food, fun and fellowship. Money raised here is used for community projects.
ICECREAM SOCIAL – Social event held in conjunction with the South Holland Band.
OTHER EVENTS – In the past we have held Pig Roasts, Steak Fries, Golden Book Sales and other fundraisers are used to raise funds to support our club or community betterment projects.
WE HAVE ACTIVLY SUPPORTED SERVICES TO SOUTH HOLLAND
GLASSES PROVIDED TO THOSE IN NEED.
VISION AND GLAUCOMA SCREENINGS AND REFERRALS FOR EXAMINATION.
HEARING SCREENINGS AND REFERRALS FOR EXAMINATION.
DONATE BLOOD AND SPONSOR BLOOD DRIVES.
MAINTAIN INVENTORY OF HOSPITAL-CARE ITEMS LIKE: WALKERS, CRUTCHES, BEDS, AND WHEEL CHAIRS FOR FREE USE BY RESIDENTS.
PROVI DE CANES, BRAILLERS, MEDICAL AID, SPECIAL WATCHES FOR BLIND A AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED RESIDENTS.
COLLECT USED GLASSES AND HEARING AIDS FOR REDISTRIBUTION.
COMPUTER PROGRAMS FOR LIBRARY.
COMMUNITY BETTERMENT PROJECTS THROUGH THE YEARS
ASSISTED IN FUNDING OF COMMUNITY BAND, PARKS & SHELTERS, SCOUT TROOPS,
BABE RUTH & LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL AND HOCKEY LEAGUES.
REMODELED AMERICAN LEGION HALL.
PURCHASED INHALATORS & RADIO EQUIPMENT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
HELPED HANDICAPPED CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL SCHOOL TUITIONS AND RECREATIONAL CAMP ENROLLMENT.
HELPED CREATE FIRST LIBRARY AND DONATED $3,000 TO PRESENT LIBRARY.
SPEARHEADED THE DRIVE TO COLLECT $35,206 FORTHE FIRST PARAMEDIC VEHICLE AND PROVIDED FUNDS FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE.
PARTICIPATED IN THE FUNDING FOR THE VILLAGE HALL AND VETERANS PARK FLAG PLAZAS.
PURCHASED $13,295 XENON PHOTOCOAGULATOR FOR USE DURING EYE SURGERY AT
INGALLS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.
PROVIDED FUNDS FOR CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND AT GOUWENS PARK.
PROVIDED MONEY FOR FLOWERS ON SOUTH PARK AVE. AND THE RAILROAD UNDERPASS ON ROUTE 6 AND TREES IN VETERANS PARK.
FUNDED CHILDREN’S DAYCARE ROOM AT COMMUNITY CENTER.
PURCHASED THERMAL CAMERA, TRAINING ROBOT AND RESCUE SLED FOR FIRE
DEPARTMENT.
PURCHASED SPECIAL MAGNIFYING READING MACHINE FOR LIBRARY. INTERNATIONAL, NATIONAL & ILLINOIS HISTORY & ACTIVITIES
LIONS OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION
Through the combined efforts of all Illinois Lions, the Lions of Illinois Foundation supports:
LEADER DOG SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND HADLEY SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
DIALOGUE RECORDED MAGAZINE FOR THE BLIND.
CAMP LIONS - SUMMER CAMP FOR THE BLIND
MOBILE GLAUCOMA SCREENING AND MOBILE HEARING UNITS
C.A.R.E. PROGRAM AND EYE DONOR REGISTRY
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF OPHTHALMOLOGY.
ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY.
In its largest project undertaking, the Lions of Illinois were committed to raising $5,000,000 to finance construction of the Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute which is located on a site at the University of Illinois School of Medicine in Chicago. The South Holland Lions Club responded and donated $10,000 to the project during the early 1980’s. The Club has again responded with another $10,000 donation to the recent Sight First Program.
INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL LIONS
The International Association of Lions Clubs was organized in 1917 by Melvin Jones, a young Chicago insurance agent. The original organization of 25 independent clubs has grown to be the largest service club organization in the world, represented by over 34,000 clubs with a membership exceeding 1,306,000 in 150 countries and geographic areas.
Our motto is "WE SERVE", and from the start the emphasis has been on service to less fortunate members of the community. Although active in many community projects, we place special emphasis on sight conservation and work with the blind, as well as hearing conservation and the hearing impaired and diabetes education.
Blindness knows no geographic, economic or ethnic boundaries. All over the world, disease, malnutrition, ignorance and accidents plunge hundreds of thousands of people into the tragedy of eye impairments. In America, 10 million people have uncorrectable vision impairment. 700,000 Americans are legally blind.
Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.
