Summary: Chicago businessman Melvin Jones (1879-1961) challenged people to put talents toward improving communities. Founding First Meeting: 6/7/1917 at LaSalle Hotel in Chicago. The similar independent organizations agreed to merge and took the name of the largest group, the Indiana-based Association of Lions Clubs. First Convention - in Dallas Texas with 36 delegates representing 22 clubs from 9 states. The constitution was adopted and the first president (Dr WP Woods) was elected. Jones was elected secretary, beginning a 44-year career with the association.

Summary: LION Magazine begins publication (31 official editions - 10 times a year), now prints in 22 languages (as of 2013).

Summary: Established first international club in (Windsor Ontario) Canada, then Mexico in 1927.  Panama became first Central American club (1935), then South America (Columbia) established first club in 1936. Europe joined (1948), then Japan (1952), Asia & Africa.

Summary: Helen Keller (at Cedar Point, Ohio convention) challenged Lions to eradicate blindness and become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.”

Summary: Club president George A Bonham of Peoria Lions Club of Illinois, observed a blind man trying to cross a busy street, who furiously tapped his black cane on the pavement, but no one understood his problem. Bonham came up with the idea of supplying blind people with white canes to alert others, and he introduced a resolution to the city of Peoria to give the right-of-way to any blind person using a white cane. By 1956, every state in the United States had passed white cane safety laws, which also included blind persons employing the help of guide dogs.

Summary: About 60 people formed the Young Men’s Business Club in Renton. Membership decline the following year encouraged members to look for new ways to boost the service club.

Membership: 24 people.

Executive Board: President Jack Oliver, Vice President Howard Ratliffe, Second Vice President Milan Roddie, Third Vice President Bill Custer, Secretary Herb Williams, Treasurer Martin Reggiardo, Lion Tamer Louis Peretti, Tail Twister Verne Burmester.

Summary: Renton Lions organized, with 17 members (October), at the IOOF Hall and membership grew to 24. 210 people attended Charter Night. Milan Roddie proposed the idea of a rodeo.First fund raising activities were a series of dances.

Membership: 26 people.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: First Rodeo netted $92.

Membership: 32 people.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: Held numerous dances. John Dobson held a crab feed and suggested an “attendance pot”. Second Rodeo collected $2500, third Rodeo netted $800 and partnered with the Renton Athletic Club. Two other clubs hosted dances. Six thousand people attended the four performances. Lady Lions hosted first picnic (8/27).

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: Investigated the possibility of connecting US 99 to Dunlap Canyon. Third annual Rodeo collected $1,600. Purchased a wheel chair as a community service. Pearl Harbor inspired the first contribution to equip an ambulance for community emergency use.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: Jointly sponsored a dance at the Spanish Castle with Kent Lions. Kent defeated Renton in bowling. Golf tournament (June). Held a War Rubber Drive and a Scrap Metal Drive (July & August). Sponsored a Boy Scout troop (October). Official Wartime watch towers were established, and shouldered the responsibility of keeping 24-hour watch for community, in two hour shifts.

Membership: 33 people.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: Sponsored the March of Dimes. Scored 5 to 1 in a Donkey Baseball game against the Kiwanis Club, and raised $300 (May). During one meeting, a drive sold $7,800 in bonds (September).

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: Sponsored the March of Dimes, netting $1,085. A big paper drive brought $994. Rodeo profits were $2,100!

Summary: Became one of the first nongovernmental organizations to assist drafting the United Nations Charter.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: A paper drive netted $205 (January), and another brought in $145 (March). The Rodeo brought in a profit of $5,250 and contestants came from as far as Montana.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: Bob Thienhart donated 11 acres of land on the Cedar River to be designated as a youth recreational area (The area offers overnight campsites and a baseball field). To raise necessary funds, a bull (Ferdinand) was displayed on the streets while selling raffle tickets on him, raising $800. Sponsored a basketball team, purchased uniforms, warm-up jackets, and the works. Ran a football benefit for the youth of the community and raised $220.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: Sponsored March of Dimes, collecting $1,800. Outfitted the Schoolboy Patrol with rain coats. Cash donation to the Hospital Fund. Set up a stand at the local Post Office and sponsored a blind man to operate the stand.  Bill Owens, set up a scholarship for the Renton High School to be known as the Lion’s Scholarship.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

RLC Member - MD19B District Governor: (1) - George McKail.

Summary: March of Dimes netted $2,600. Used War Memorial Fund to get land on Cedar River in shape for a youth camp (cleared ground, dug a well, put up a shelter), and purchased a bus (with cooperation from the Recreation Council). Skipped annual rodeo and put efforts into a merchant’s exposition at the North Renton Fieldhouse (pitched idea to local merchants to sell them space for displays), and built stalls. The event collected a profit of $517. Lion George McKail was elected as District Governor.

Membership: 73 People.

Executive Board: Unknown.

MD19 Achievement Award: Winner (1) - 5-Minute Speaking Contest.

Summary: Expanded the merchant’s exposition (45,000 square foot  Boeing warehouse). The Lady Lions hosted a concession durring the expo, earning a profit of $465. The Renton Lions were the Host Club (organizers) of the district convention was held in Seattle. March of Dimes collected $3,627. Joint White Elephant Sale with Kennydale Lion’s, turned a profit of $1400 (to split) and the Lady Lions made $26 at a food and refreshment stand. Set up Santa Claus Lane in the Renton downtown area by decorating trees and lighting festive murals with music playing over the public address system. The Renton Cornsqueezers (a novelty band) organized this year.

1950: President Hamilton Church (13)

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: Sponsored the March of Dimes, raising $7,321.20. A Lions’ sponsored dog show at the Renton High School stadium brought in $300. White Elephant Sales brought $900 & $1,078.03. Hosted a variety show at the high school, and netted $700. Sponsored candy vending machines around town, for a monthly a profit check and two paper drives. Donations included; an Air Lock for the hospital (cost $1009.25) which helped saved the lives of half a dozen new-born babies, and a playground slide.

Membership: 82.

Executive Board: Unknown.

MD19 Distinguised Service Award: Winner (1) - George McKail.

Summary: Delaurenti’s Rules of Order replaced Robert’s Rules of Order. Lady Lions hosted the annual picnic at Vista Park. Hosted the second annual dog show, netting $200. Acquired additional property which enlargened the Youth Camp. Chartered a bus to visit five other clubs. Lady Lions hosted the Miles of Dimes booth downtown. Held an annual dinner to honor the high school football team and coaches. A big Valentine Day dinner occured at Maplewood.  A glass drive yielded approximately $110. Another White Elephant Sale brought in about $350. Sponsored a Renton Little League baseball team under the care of George Sowers and Frank Aliment. Sponsored a minstrel show at the high school where local Lions were the minstrels, and  a beautiful chorus, cleared $600 on the venture. Sponsored a track meet for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Pledged $5,000 toward a swimming pool project. Sponsored an outdoor circus at the high school stadium, a kids fishing derby (with about 500 participants and nationwide publicity).

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: A talent show raised $600. A white elephant sale brought $521. Vending machines paid $23.96.

The sale of brooms for the Lighthouse for the Blind netted $913. Provided aid to send a local high school girl to Northwestern University. Sent Boy Scouts to the jamboree in California, Sent Christmas gifts to the patients at Riverton Sanitarium. Sent eyeglasses to the needy and sponsored boys’ Little League baseball. Established a stand at the local post office for operation by a blind man.

Summary: Lion DA Stevenson’s motto (we serve) chosen from over 6,000 suggestions at International Convention.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: This year was another active one, with the following highlights:  We rebuilt and remodeled the youth camp; Eyeglasses were secured for the less fortunate.  We sent a boy to the National 4-H Convention in Washington, D.C.; We assisted the Kennydale club paint a building at Riverton Sanitarium.   We assisted in securing the bond issue for the local swimming pool; Bought another wheel chair for those in need; Supplied food and clothing for the less fortunate.   All of this work was financed by a turkey raffle, a light globe sale, and other similar activities.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: Our services this year were:  Sponsored a college track meet to assist our youth in the field of sports; Sponsored Little League baseball; Backed construction of a wading pool as an addition to the swimming pool.   Sponsored Little League football.  Sponsored a Safe Driving Day in conjunction with city, county and state law enforcement officers.  Supplied waste receptacles for our city streets.   These were financed chiefly by proceeds from the track meet, a white elephant sale, and another beef raffle.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: Started this year out with a campaign to clear the Lions’ roster of deadwood.  Those who remained managed to accomplish the following:  First annual Lions salmon barbecue at the Lions’ Memorial Youth Camp; A successful annual intercollegiate track meet; Erection of a Traffic Fatality Board at the entrance of the city; A donation to the Seattle Symphony for their appearance in Renton; Christmas packages and food for the needy; Eye glasses for needy school children; Blood for patients at the Firlands Sanitarium.   Funds for this came from the track meet, a light globe sale, a barbershop quartet contest, arrangement from the Harlem Globe Trotters, and many hours of work by the Cornsqueezers in their appearance at all community projects.

Summary: The Glenside Lions Club in Pennsylvania chartered the first Leo club for young people. The programs objective is “to provide the youth of the world (with) an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively, as responsible members of the local, national and international community.”

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: The first appearance of the Harlem Globe Trotters was a hugely successful venture.  A light globe sale lived up expectations, as did the second annual salmon barbecue.   All this adds up to such services as: help and food for the needy, medical aid, community enterprises symphony concerts, little league baseball and football, youth camp and others.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: The Lions efforts to raise funds were successful as usual.  Our services included work with the Juvenile Advisory Board, the Family Advisory Board, youth camp, March of Dimes, and the many other little things actives Lions can do.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Miscellaneous Award (1) - International Extension Award: For the organization of the May Valley Lions Club.

Summary: This year we received the International Extension Award for the organization of the May Valley Lions Club.  This was a profitable year for the Activities committee, and the results are the club’s ability to maintain its standing as the community’s most progressive service organization.   Among this year’s worthy deeds are: aid to the needy, aid to the home for rehabilitation of teenage girls, the youth camp, and promotion of good will among all of the community life b the recognition of their needs.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Miscellaneous Award (2) - Zone’s Most Valuable & Outstanding Lions: plaque.

Summary: This year we were awarded the Zone’s Most Valuable and Outstand Lions plaque.  This is an honor that makes all of our efforts seem worthwhile.  We were active on the Juvenile Conference Committee and the Big Brothers organization, as well as our usual work with the youth camp.    We added about $1,000 to our treasury this year.  Our biggest step was launching plans to build a model home to raise funds for our club.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: The big bang this year was the sale of fireworks from various stands in the area.  It was a real money maker.  The president found time to walk the Boardwalk at Atlantic City, and tell many other good Lions about Renton, its surroundings, and of course, it’s Lions Club and its deeds for the community.   Plans for the model home reached the final stages, and workers were organized.   The club was notified of the requirements for sanitary facilities at the youth camp and the monies to be expended if the camp were to continue to operate.  The improvements were approved, and Lion Gene Coulon of the Renton Parks and Recreation Department supervises all the details and organization of work groups to perform the Herculean tasks.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: This was a long, hard year for club members.  The model house was built.  The sanitary facilities were completed for the youth camp.  And then, of course, the Seattle World’s Fair.  In spite of all this activity, the King Lion was able to visit the International convention at Nice, France.  He returned with more enthusiasm for his own club and its undertakings.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: This year was off to a success with the sale of our Lions built home.  Our Annual Salmon Barbecue was another success.  A Beef Raffle with good results.  Further improvement to our Youth Camp.  A profitable broom sale also enriched the Club’s coffers.  The Renton Lions Club is continuing the endeavor to fulfill the goals of Lions and serve the Renton Community.   We also had a grand celebration for our 25th Charter Night Anniversary which was held at the Lake Wilderness Lodge.  The Lady Lions joined with us as they also celebrated 25 years as an auxiliary to the men’s club.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: Fireworks had been so great that we sold them again.  This year for a $700 net profit.   We co-sponsored a Seafair Bicycle Race at the Renton Shopping Center.  We had 18 members compete as a team in the second Renton All City Invitational (RACI) community golf tournament.   The first annual Blubber Derby was held, and would you believe:  Marv Hurtgen lost 5-3/4 lbs for the lightweights,  Wyman Dobson lost 25-1/4 lbs for the middleweights and,  Ernie McPeek lost 26-1/4 lbs for the heavies.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: Our Safe & Sane Fireworks netted us $550 for our 5 day sale.  The concession stand contract was signed and we were into our first football season, plus a dog show and track meet.  Out at the youth camp, we had our Annual Salmon Barbecue, and completed the Refuse Disposal Complex (sometimes crudely referred to as the garbage pit).   For the 10th straight year, the Renton Cornsqueezers entertained at the annual Firlands Sanitarium Halloween Party.  The patients said their party wouldn’t complete without the Cornsqueezers.   Louis Peretti, the lone Charter Member still active in the club was our principal speaker at our 27th Charter Anniversary Night.   We distributed 500 containers locally for the March of Dimes.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

MD19 Excellence - President Excellence Award: Winner (2) - Originally called the Club Efficiency.

Summary: Fireworks again, this time the 5 days netted us $816.74.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

MD19 Excellence - President Excellence Award: Winner (3) - Originally called the Club Efficiency.

MD19 Visitation Award: Winner (1).

Summary: Fireworks sales start the year again with a net profit of $722.84.  For the first time since George McKail in 1948, a member of our club was elected to a Lion’s office outside of our club.  Louis Peretti is our new Deputy District Governor, Region I.   The concession stand again dominated our fund raising activities for a new profit of $1,587.96.  The March of Dimes had us distributing 500 containers around the Renton area.  The 4th Annual Blubber Derby saw our members losing 272.75 pounds for $256 in prize monies.   The Multiple District Convention was in Spokane.  Renton took over one wing of the Ridpath Hotel.  With the able assistance of our Lady Lions, Big Red won the Uniformed Delegation Award for the first time.  Secretary Ron Vessey won the Secretary’s Efficiency Award for the Multiple District.  Our Four Man Golf Team won the honors for Cow Pasture Pool!

Summary: LCIF is founded, which assists global and large-scale local humanitarian projects (sight, hearing loss, disability, health & disaster relief). Every single dollar donated to LCIF goes directly toward a grant.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

RLC Member - MD19B5 Zone Chair: (1) - Louis Peretti.

MD19 Excellence - Secretary of the Year Award: Winner (1) - Ron Vessey.

MD19 Uniform Parade Award: Winner (1).

Summary: What else?  We started the year with the Fireworks Stand, and put a net of $837 in the bank.  Past Deputy District Governor Louis Peretti became Zone Chairman Louis Peretti; up the ladder of Lionism.   There was RACI in the fall and the Renton Lions Club won the Service Club Trophy.  After the holidays we had a “Replenish Your Stock” raffle to raise funds for the Sight Conservation Program.  We sent a check for $309.85 to the Lions Eye Bank.   Our King Lion Wyman invited everyone to a free cocktail party – 120 miles from Renton!  Not to pass up an opportunity for a free drink, a large group of 56 people showed up.   The first White Cane Days netted $647 from our street corner soliciting for the Sight Conservation Foundation.   Jimmy celebrated his 21st Anniversary at the Blind Stand in the Renton Post Office.  We had Jimmy as our guest of honor at our 30th Charter Anniversary and presented him with a 3- Band Transistor Radio.  With the Multiple District Convention so handy in Seattle, we chartered a bus for a Wednesday Night mass registration and by the end of the Convention we had the Club Efficiency Award, Inter Club Visitation Trophy and the Uniformed Delegation Award.  Our own Louis Peretti was elected District Governor of 19B .

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

RLC Member - MD19B District Governor: (2) - Louis Peretti.

MD19 Excellence - President Excellence Award: Winner (4) - Originally called the Club Efficiency.

MD19 Uniform Parade Award: Winner (2).

Summary: NA.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

MD19 Excellence - Secretary of the Year Award: Winner (2) - Don Fitts.

MD19 Uniform Parade Award: Winner (3).

Summary: The youth camp saw a new activity this year.  The Father-Child Campout started with Lions members and their kids enjoying the camp 3 different weekends during the summer months.  Summer ended with a Salmon Barbecue and a $120 profit.  The concession stand filled the Fall with activity and profit for the Club.   This was the Crisis Year.  Our President and Secretary both resigned at Mid-year.  It presented another test of the club.  It may have shocked many clubs of our area but it proved what the Renton Lions Club is made of as we continued right along with little problem as the effort was there when needed. White Cane Days were in April and the street solicitors brought in $845.21 for Lions Sight Conservation.  We donated food items for the needy through the Renton Food Bank for Easter.

Summary: Sister City Week was established for March 13-20 with the City of Renton and then by the State of Washington. During this week a Japanese Flag was presented to the City. Renton Lions Club became the fourth in the state to adopt a Sister City.

 

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: A repeat of the Salmon Barbecue was profitable to the amount of $100.  In the Fall Classic, RACI, we had 8 winners in various categories plus the Trophy for the Service Club Division.   Little League Football had grown to 5 teams, of which 3 were South King County Champions.  This year we helped send one of the teams to Walla Walla for a post season game.   At Thanksgiving members brought food to a meeting for the Food Bank and then dug down to donate an additional $112.55 of purchasing turkeys.  The White Cane Days were in April and the economy was holding as our efforts had brought in $740 for the Lions Sight Conservation Foundation.   For a Community Service Project, the club took on “Richert’s Shaky Erection” at the Lake Washington Beach Park.  This was a major undertaking as the Club constructed a Children’s Play Tower.  The value of the project was placed at $5,000 but the cost to the Club was only $625.60 plus 370 man hours. For the Multiple District Convention we went to Vancouver, BC and picked up the Club Efficiency Award and shared the Uniformed Delegation Award with Tacoma-Lincoln.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

RLC Member - MD19B5 Zone Chair: (2) - Roger Richert.

MD19 Excellence - President Excellence Award: Winner (5) - Originally called the Club Efficiency.

MD19 Uniform Parade Award: Winner (4).

Summary: Our immediate Past President Roger Richert was elected Zone Chairman as he started up the ladder of Lionism.  With a full schedule of dog shows and football games this year, the Concession Stand brought in a profit of $3,140.78 to fatten the Activities Fund.   The Blind Stand at the Post Office reached its quarter century mark as Jimmy celebrated his 25th year.  As a mid-year “pick me up”, we held a raffle.  “Buy a Beam” saw the club dispose of a case of Jim Beam for a new profit of $510.   We started something new, an Old Timers Night.  It proved to be quite a success and all of the old times in attendance were appreciative of being remembered and having a night out.  Saluting the pioneers of our Community was to become an annual event.   Early May was White Cane Days and the solicitation brought in $789.78 as Lions Sight Conservations expanded its activities through the Eye Bank.   The Multiple District held their convention in Seattle.  With a charter bus, the Renton Lions Club had the second largest registration at that convention.  For the 5th time in 6 years, the Renton Lions were among the “Best Dressed” as we won the Uniformed Delegation Award.

Summary: The MJF is created by LCIF, provides 70% of its revenues (as of 2013). This donor recognition award is the Foundation’s highest honor given to those who give (or nominated donation was made by others) $1,000 to LCIF. In February, the association welcomed it's 1 millionth member.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

MD19 Uniform Parade Award: Winner (5).

Summary: We started off the year with a record setting season at the Concession Stand.  After 9 years, we are definitely pros at pushing hotdogs, grossing $7,600 in sales.   The first Senior Citizens’ Sockeye Salmon Fishing event was in August.  Then we tried a Day At Longacres for the members, wives and guests at the Turf Club, in conjunction with our hosting of Youth Exchange students from Japan.   We continued our support of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.  At the RACI Golf Tournament we had our “Closest to the Pin” fund raiser, we placed parking meters around town that had been converted to collection centers, and donations by club members totaled over $2,400.   Baseballs were flying during the summer with our boys in the Little League Baseball program, and the Junior League Football program had over 200 boys in the fall.   We celebrated our 35th Charter Anniversary and later had a Rededication Night during which we paid special homage to our remaining Charter Member, PDG Louis Peretti by reviewing the history of our Club.   The Renton Lions Charity Golf Classic was inaugurated with 186 golfers vying for the many and varied prizes donated by member of the club and community.  A donation of $1,386 was presented to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

RLC Member - MD19B District Governor: (3) - Roger Richert.

MD19 Excellence - President Excellence Award: Winner (6) - Originally called the Club Efficiency.

Summary: The club kept pushing those hot dogs into our fourth 3 year contract with the Renton School District.  The Concession Stand continued to grow in both number of activities and the amount of sales.  Our receipts of $11,370 provided the club with $5,935 for our activities fund.   Our Old Timers’ Sockeye Salmon Fishing was cut to two outings with the early closing of Lake Washington by the State Fisheries Department. Junior League Football and Boy’s Baseball both enjoyed another successful season.  A heavy Christmas week snowfall caused tree damage at the Youth Camp, which resulted in lots of fire wood.   Our 3rd Annual Pioneer Night grew to 94 elders of the Community as our guests.  Our 2nd Annual Charity Golf Classic with 209 golfers provided $1,346 for the Hutchinson Cancer Center, while we raised $1,210 during White Cane Days for the Lions Sight Foundation.

Delegates: 25 members.

Summary: There were 25 citizens from our sister city in Japan, Nishiwaki, visiting our city in October, including 10 members of the Nishiwaki Lions Club.

Summary: The Lioness Clubs were created for women.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

MD19 Excellence - President Excellence Award: Winner (7) - Originally called the Club Efficiency.

MD19 Excellence - Secretary of the Year Award: Winner (3) - Floyd Shiosaki.

MD19 Distinguised Service Award: Winner (2) - Lou Peretti.

MD19 Visitation Award: Winner (2).

Summary: Our Concession Stand operation went “Professional” when the Seattle Sounders started playing their Soccer games at the Renton Stadium.   We kept our Golf Clubs warm and dust free at the RACI and Charity Golf Classic.  A Blubber Derby was successful for 213 pounds disappearing (but for how long?).  Greater success was obtained during White Cane Days with $1,652 collected for Lions Sight Conservation.  And, somehow “Bohunk Night” was becoming a successful event and would continue.   We made a pledge to the Renton School District to construct a combination concessions stand, ticket booth, and lavatory facility for the north side of the field at Renton Stadium.   “Operation Phone Book” returned for Seattle area Lions Clubs and we filled our container van for the Lions Sight and Hearing programs.  We organized and put on the first All City High School Track meet where the three high school boys and girls track teams could directly compete against each other for the “Best In The City” title.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: Construction Crews were in full swing as the Club built a Concession Stand-Ticket Booth-Rest Room Building for the Renton Stadium.  Utilizing the maximum of resources for materials and the minimum of monies, the $50,000 building was completed for less than $9,000 and presented to the Renton School District at the beginning of Football Season.   A Father-Child Campout was held at the Youth Camp, concluding with a Family Picnic on Sunday Afternoon.  RACI golf saw the Renton Lions Club win the Service Club Division, again, while the “Closest to the Pin” netted $200 for the Hutchinson Cancer Center.  In the spring, our Charity Golf Classic hosted 195 golfers and $1,600 was raised for Hutchinson.   Pioneer Night has become an annual event that is greatly received by the senior citizens of our community with 80 in attendance.  The second All City Track Meet between the high schools was more successful, as was White Cane Days with $1,730 collected for the Site Foundation.   This year the Multiple District Convention was hosted by the Renton Lions Club at the SeaTac Motor Inn.  It was well attended, supported by the club, and chaired by Roger Richert.  It was definitely a tribute to the Renton Lions Club.   The year ended on a down note as we failed to win the renewal of our Concession Stand contract with the Renton School District, thus ending 12 year of providing this service to the Renton community.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: After 12 years, we took a “vacation” from the Concession Stand operation for the Renton School District.  However, activities continued at the Youth Camp, Blood kept flowing from members to the Blood Bank.  The Annual Fishing Derby was held at Point No Point.  Italian and Bohunk Nights are annual events with the increasing sale of Bromo.   We hit the visitation trail in support of Roger Richert’s campaign for Multiple District Cabinet Chairman.  Roger didn’t make it, but the Club won the District 19B Visitation Award for their effort.   Isn’t mail wonderful?  We received a letter from the Internal Revenue Service stating that we owed $5,000 in back taxes!  Fortunately we found an accountant that could do some magic work and get everything straighten out.  Whew!   Our Charity Invitational Golf Tournament has grown to be the most popular tournament of the Renton Community.  The 3rd All-City Track Meet has gained full support of the high schools, with Renton High School winning the title for the third consecutive year.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: Our one year vacation ended with a successful bid to again operate the concession stands at the Renton School District Stadium.

Delegates: 6 went to Tokyo.

Summary: There was one other summer activity, three couples went to the Lions International Convention in Tokyo and supported our Sister City program with Nishiwaki, Japan.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: It was like the changing from Mutt to Jeff when we went from Floyd to Rudy, but the pace never let up.  Our summer was again filled with activities of maintaining the Youth Camp, while still supporting Little League Baseball, intra-club baseball, and the picnic before the fall leads us back into the concession stands.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: The year started at the Youth Camp but with a new project; a new storage building.  We needed someplace to put all of Charlie’s chain saws!  Of course we still had the baseball game, picnic, and RACI.  After all, the Renton Lions have developed their traditions!   But this fall we took on a new program: Entertainment’81, which was a 2 for 1 type of let’s- dine-out program.  It supported the District YEP and provided some funds for the club.  It went over very well in the community and the main comment was, “Too bad we couldn’t get more books!”

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

MD19 Distinguised Service Award: Winner (3) - Roger Richert.

Summary: Yes, we started another year at the Youth Camp with the various projects that are necessary to maintain this fine facility for the community.  This year; we finished the storage building.  The club puts in a lot hours of hard work on this but they are never complaining because of the benefits received by the your of our area.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: With the new King Lion we were off on a good type of spending spree.  We put money into the Junior Football program, then donated $450 to send a Renton youth to the Junior Olympics in Lincoln, Nebraska; $1,200 toward expenses to send a 3 year old Renton girl to Philadelphia for eye surgery, then followed that up with another $400 worth of help; and donated a hearing aid to a Renton woman.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: This year we started out at Camp but got right into the programs by providing support for the Junior Olympics, and donated eye glasses for what started out to be two people, but ended up by the end of the year to be SEVEN people.  Also, an aspiring Eagle Scout completed the entrance sign to the Youth Camp as part of his Eagle project.   The concession stand started up again as we swung into fall, plus the Little League Football program needed a whole bunch of hours for support.  On Lions Service Day, the club donated clothes to the Renton Clothes Bank, and 7 pints of blood to the Blood Bank.  The club also donated to the LCIF and CARE programs through Lion International, and to RAYS on the local level.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: A new year with a new look at the Camp.  We had a new sign, a new gate, new plantings, and new enthusiasm.  There was a Father-Child Campout, Senior Citizen Sockeye Fishing Derby, Family Picnic and Bohunk Night, and weren’t even to RACI yet!   Maybe it was the successful report from the concession stand of raising $8,318 from 41 events that led to us sending a student to Business Leadership Week; donate to the Statue of Liberty renovation program; give bicycles to a needy family with 3 boys; and then donate 13 pairs of eye glasses to the needy of our community.   To supplement our fund raising, we helped take inventory at the Frederick & Nelson store to help the Heart Fund; held a Reno Night to raise funds for our Little League Football program; and sold out our supply of Entertainment ’85 books to help us and the Youth Exchange Program.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

MD19 Club Bulletin Award: Winner (1).

Summary: “It is better to give than receive!” was King Lion Jim’s motto as we donated eye glasses to three needy people and then gave funds to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer fund, Multiple Sclerosis, CARÉ, LCIF, Clothes Bank, Hub City Lions Club of Nanaimo, Eye and Hearing Foundations, and a bone marrow implant.  And, we were still out at the Youth Camp.  Wait until we move to town!   Things did work back into our routines for us to have our annual Bohunk Picnic before the concession stand operation got into full swing.  We still managed to donate blood, clothes to the Clothes Bank, and supported (?) 4 members in the Queen Ann Hill Climb for the American Diabetes Association.  Then there was the annual All-City High School Swim Meets, students sponsored to Girl’s and Boy’s State, three students to Business Week, students in summer hearing and speech impaired programs, a student to participate in the International Sorts Exchange in China, the connection and respite program for the elderly and disabled, our own club members to the Oak Harbor Annual Crab Feed, and a successful Reno Night that netted $1,481.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: This should be known as the Year Of The Eye, as we donated 16 pairs of eye glasses to the needy of our community, as well as doing our share in donating blood.  The Youth Camp was being well used by the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Campfire and various Civic organizations.   Sadness occurred early in the year as PDG Louis Peretti, our last remaining Charter Member of 48 years with continuous service to our community and perfect attendance in the club, passed away.  Later in the summer and because of his longtime relationship with horseracing, we hosted a Lions Day at Longacres with a memorial race for our lost Lion Louis.   The success of the concession stand maintained our generosity as we donated to CARE, LCIF, Renton Clothes Bank, Lions Eye Bank, Hearing Foundation, Salvation Army, “21” Club, Boy Scouts and the Renton School District Special Education Program.   Of course we maintained our schedule of events: the Club Picnic at the Youth Camp, Bohunk Night, RACI, Charter Night, Entertainment ’87 Books, and a Christmas Party!

Summary: The amendment marked the LCI as the first major service club to admit women as members (ended Lioness Program). Women comprise approximately 21% of total membership (in 2013).

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

MD19 Uniform Parade Award: Winner (6).

Summary: Gads!  What is happening?  After 40 years of the Youth Camp it will now be known as the Renton Lions Youth Park!  Everything is subject to change and we are no exception.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Summary: King Lion John started his year (our 50th) by attending the International Convention in Denver.  He returned to the club full of enthusiasm for Lions and the Renton Community.

Summary: The Contest was established for young people around the world to express their artistic visions of peace. Clubs sponsor the contest in their communities.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

RLC Member - MD19B5 Zone Chair: (3) - Edward Puhich.

Summary: The year started with Youth Camp activities.  A gate for the entrance was completed under the direction of Lion Homer Venishnick.  The scouting activities recorded 10,000 scouting hours per month using the facilities.  We obtained mobile home housing for our caretaker after considerable effort and frustration.     A delegation of 20 citizens visited from Nishiwaki.  Their visit was in conjunction with the State of Washington’s Centennial Celebration.  We also had a delegation of 5 Lions visit Nishiwaki to celebrate our 20th year of Sister City relations.  We donated $500 to the Nishiwaki Lions as a gesture of good will and understanding.

Summary: SightFirst launched to restore sight and prevent blindness on a global scale, targeting major causes of blindness (cataract, trachoma, river blindness, childhood blindness, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma).

1990: President Hal Kloes (51)

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

RLC Member - International Director: (1) - Roger Richert.

Summary: We again start the year by keeping our annual activity of maintaining our Youth Camp.   Then we rolled our sleeves up to work our major fundraiser the, Concession Stand. But we also had our Nights: Bohunk found lots of our friends lined up for a Slavic ethnic meal at the Youth Camp; Charter and Installation; and Pioneer had 150 guests for our annual complimentary dinner at the Renton Senior Center.  We had our annual Christmas Party for 70 Lions and friends.  Then we supported CARE, LCIF, Sight & Hearing conservation, Clothes Bank, Boys and Girls Club, All City Track Meet, and the Lions Low Vision Clinic.

 

Summary: The year started again at our Youth Camp with lots of projects to be done out there on our gem on the Cedar River.     There was still time for the club picnic, Bohunk Night, RACI, Charter Night and a Christmas Party before we met the New Year.  We kept right on going into the spring time with our social evenings, All-City events, and White Cane Days.  Then we held our 20th Annual Charity Golf Classic at Maplewood Golf Course.   As he was going out of office, Lion Ed Puhich was elected Zone Chairman19-B5.

Summary: King Lion Steve is a third generation president!  Following in the footsteps of his grandfather John and father Wyman.  Our efforts at the concession stand netted the club a profit of $9,003!  Also, the Charity Golf Classic, with 127 golfers participating, netted the club $6,540.  A successful White Cane Days collected $1,513.  Other income came from our Youth Camp, Entertainment Books and Bohunk Night.

Delegates: Unknown.

Summary: In August, the club helped host Sister City Delegation from Nishiwaki, Japan.

Summary: King Lion Jerry emphasized Team Work for the Renton Lions Club.  He even wrote a column in the club bulletin.  The concession stand was worked again by volunteers for over 26 events and over 1200 volunteer hours.  White Cane Days raised $1,912 in donations for the Lions Sight & Hearing.     We kept our activities of maintaining the Youth Camp, enjoying Bohunk Night, the All-City Track Meet, CARE, LCIF, Pioneer Night and selling of Entertainment Books. The club purchased 2 more Spinoza bears for terminally ill children, and delivered poinsettias to the Renton Villa Retirement Center on Christmas Eve.   This year our 23rd Annual Charity Golf Classic at the Maplewood Golf Course netted our club $8,546, and was enjoyed by 96 golfers.  There was a hole-in-one prize of a new Honda, and (fortunately) no one won it.

Summary: For the Renton River Days Parade, White Center Lion Robert Munnoch lent us the use and drivers for his Model T truck and two classic Thunderbirds.  Mayor Jesse and Janice Tanner (both Renton Lions members) led the parade.  Grandson Brandon rode on the back of the Model T pickup and held the Olympic Torch which he had carried through the streets of Renton as a runner when the Olympic Torch traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, for the 100th Olympic Games.  We helped staff the Lions Information Booth in an effort to inform the public of ways that “We Serve”.   There was the feeding of 135 at our Bohunk Night, friends and families at our Christmas Party and welcomed the “return” of the Renton Lions Italian Night with the event held at the Renton Senior Center.  There was member participation at the Zone, District, Multiple District and International conventions.  We worked on the American Cancer Society’s “Run for Life” at the High School Stadium.  Donated to the Lions Low Vision Clinic, YEP, Panther Lake Kinder Care, CARE, LCIF, RAYS, and donated six Spinoza Bears to the program at the Children’s Orthopedic Hospital.

Summary: White Center Lion Robert Munnoch was again kind enough to lend us his vehicles for the Renton River Days Parade.  The presidents and their wives rode in the classic cars while other Lions walked and carried signs.  The Mobile Sight-Hearing Van was set up in Liberty Park and manned by Lions from the three Renton area clubs.

Summary: For Renton River Days, this year we had 2 cars for our members to ride in the parade.  We also had a Lions Informational Booth in the park staffed by members of the three Renton area Lions Clubs.  We worked all of the football, track and other activities at the stadium.  Then this year the Seattle Sounders soccer team moved their games to the Renton Stadium and members worked all home games.     We held a Christmas Party for 70 Lions and friends, and hosted a Zone Social.  We supported the Lions Low Vision Clinic, White Cane Days, sold Entertainment Books, donated to CARE, LCIF, Clothes Bank, Renton Athletic Associations, “Run For Life“ and delivered poinsettias to Renton area nursing homes on Christmas Eve.   There were 150 invitations for Pioneer Night at the Renton Senior Center, we had our Bohunk Night for 128 honorary Slovakians at the Youth Camp; and had 75 at our annual Italian Night at the Eagles Club.   At the end of King Lion Kevin’s year, we had increased our membership from 50 to 60 members.  A 20% increase.

Summary: Our first female president!  My, how things have changed…for the better…with women now in the leadership ranks of the Renton Lions Club.  We were back being busy at the concession stand selling our hot dogs, pizza and pop.  This income is important to the activities of the club…especially the Youth Camp.  But now the Seattle Sounders Soccer team was also playing at our stadium for the summer; this turned out to be an organizational nightmare for our club.  

Delegates: 14 members.

Summary: In April.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Melvin Jones Fellowship: Jim Biladeau

Summary: We charged into our year with the activity at the Concession Stand as our major fund raiser, adding to the hoppers with profits from Bohunk Night and Italian Night.  These monies enable the club to provide support for LCIF, CARE, and all of the local programs, including our very successful Pioneer Night.

 

Summary: Our second woman president.  And again, we are experiencing a third generation Lions Club president: Grandfather John, father Wyman and even brother Steve.

Delegates: 29 members.

Summary: In July 2001, 29 delegates from Nishiwaki visited Renton for four days to celebrate Renton's Centennial year. Former Renton School Superintendent, Dolores Gibbons, and Renton Rotary and Nishiwaki Committee member, Nancy Osborn, volunteered as home stay families during the 2001 Nishiwaki delegation visit. They are pictured here participating in the IKEA Renton River Days Parade with delegate, Satoshi Asai. The 2001 delegation poses below the "Nishiwaki Lane" sign. The street was named in honor of the long-standing sister city relationship between Nishiwaki and Renton. Nishiwaki Lane is located along Cedar River Trail Park across the river from the Renton Municipal Airport.

Summary: The concession stand operated for football in the fall, then soccer and track events in the spring. A first annual “Salmon Homecoming BBQ” was held at the Youth Camp for 100 people.  Held a first annual Halloween Party at the Highlands Community Hall.  Pioneer Night was attended by 144 community seniors.  And of course, we held our annual Charter/Past President, Bohunk, Italian and Pioneer Nights.

Delegates: Unknown.

Summary: The Renton-Nishiwaki Sister City Committee sent a delegation to visit Nishiwaki, Japan, to celebrate the City of Nishiwaki's 50th anniversary, which took place on April 13, 2002.

Summary: This president was our first sight impaired member to accept the leadership role of our club, and the club certainly rallied around him for his year.  We kept our activities of maintaining the Youth Camp, enjoying Bohunk Night, giving to CARE, LCIF, Pioneer Night and the selling of Entertainment Books.  Helped with the Sister City program by hosting 29 delegates from Nishiwaki.     The club purchased a Brail Note Bt32 Cell Note Taker for Brian Saborboro, a local 3rd grade school student and received some wonderful publicity by KOMO Channel 4 from Seattle.  

 

Summary: We started her year by supporting the Renton River Days by participating in the parade, manning the Health Screening Van, in the Annual Art Show, and hosting the Saturday morning Pancake Breakfast.   We contributed funds for a new Renton Food Bank, held a clothing drive, and participated in housing/food efforts for the homeless. Worked with the City of Renton in the continuation of relations with our sister cities: Nishiwaki, Japan and Cuautla, Mexico.   Provided a number of sight services through the Lions Health Screening Van; eye exams, new glasses to those in need, collected over 500 pairs of used eyeglasses, and provided funding to the Lions Low Vision Clinic.  Also, we  networked with Leader Dogs for the Blind.  Collected hearing aids and worked with a group called Self Help for Hard of Hearing (SHHH).   Our Youth Camp needed many hours of maintenance and supervision from the Club.  We held the Salmon Homecoming at the Camp.  We supported the local Boy Scout flag project for the city streets.  Provided over 100 toys in the “Toys for Tots” drive.  Helped in funding for a young person with diabetes to attend Camp Leo where they learn to better manage their disease.

Summary: SightFirst II launched a fundraising effort to provide sight services for people around the world. By the 2008 International Convention the campaign had raised $200 million dollars.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

Melvin Jones Fellowship: Kevin Kunnanz.

Summary: Another second generation president, father John Sr.  Lion John Jr led us through the year with our activities of the Concession Stand as our major fund raiser.  We kept with our activities to support the White Cane Days, Entertainment Books, LCIF and CARE.  Of course we still enjoyed our various theme dinners.   Our Youth Camp, as our pride and joy, is always in need of our support.  Ongoing maintenance and repairs in order to have it ready for the various youth groups to enjoy.

Summary: Our former President was gracious enough to accept the position of club President again, but his entire year was a fight with health issues.  His Vice President, Roberta Logue, was pulled into the position more and more as the year progressed, so maybe it was a warm up for her turn as our President.

Summary: This is the year that our Queen Lion selected “Renton Renaissance” as a very positive theme, which turned out to be a true term for her year.  It was her plan to hopefully get us back to a kinder, gentler club.  (Hmm, what had we become?)

Delegates: 16 members.

Summary: A 16-member City of Renton Sister City delegation recently returned from a week-long trip to Nishiwaki, Japan. From April 5 - April 12, 2008, delegates met Nishiwaki's Mayor Juichi Kishi and Council, toured attractions such as local historical sites, parks, Earth & Science Museum, enjoyed local youth and adult percussion and dance performers, beautiful koto music and even picked strawberrys. Delegates visited the surrounding cities of Himeji and Kyoto and toured temples, shrines, Buddhist landmarks, gardens and parks, and enjoyed traditional Japanese food and tasting at a sake brewery. Delegates, responsible for their own travel and personal expenses, were graciously hosted with home-stay accommodations in Nishiwaki. Collectively, delegation members represented City of Renton elected officials and employees, the Renton School District, local business, real-estate and property developers, current and retired Boeing engineers, St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Renton residents, volunteers with Communities In Schools of Renton, Renton History Museum, Allied Arts of Renton, Soroptimist, Rotary, and much more. Click here to see photos from the 2008 delegation visit to Nishiwaki, Japan.

Summary: When you have a good thing going; keep it.  “Renton Renaissance Phase II” was the 2nd year theme that kept things going on an upward turn.  The club had made a tremendous come back.   We held amazing food and clothes bank drives, had great visitations (2nd in the Multiple District), and gained 9 members. The club started the Gayl Bertagni Culinary Arts Scholarship.  There were four Ronald McDonald House dinner events.  This was the first year of the Lion’s Den, a food court operation at the Renton Piazza.  This started with a Spring Festival, went through the summer in the Tuesday Market, and ended as a Fall Festival.  A club review showed that we had 89% participation by our membership in our various activities.

Delegates: 17 members.

Summary: The City of Renton and the Renton-Nishiwaki Sister City Committee recently hosted a 17-member delegation from Nishiwaki, Japan, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Renton’s first Sister City relationship. The delegation dates were August 22 - 24, 2009. The Renton-Nishiwaki Sister City alliance began in 1969 as a way to encourage the exchange of ideas and culture between the two cities. Members of the delegation included Mayor Juichi Kishi, staff from the Nishiwaki Goodwill Exchange Association, members from the Nishiwaki Lions and Rotary Clubs, and business representatives. Renton's Sister City relationship with Nishiwaki, Japan, began when a Sister City alliance was forged by the Renton Lions Club with support of other civic organizations to promote mutual understanding, cultural awareness, and good will. In an effort to enhance a Sister City relationship, the Renton City Council passed a resolution in 1994 establishing an official City of Renton-Nishiwaki Sister City Committee. Renton-based activities during the 3-day itinerary included visiting Liberty and Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Parks, Renton History Museum, the downtown Library, Cedar River Trail, and Uptown Glassworks. Delegates also toured the Renton Boeing Plant. Seattle area highlights included the Space Needle, Argosy Cruise excursion from Elliott Bay and the Seattle waterfront through the Ballard Locks to Lake Union, Alki Beach, and a Seattle Mariner game. The Official Ceremony & Luncheon, recognizing the anniversary of the forty-year sister city exchange program, was held at Renton City Hall. Attendees included City of Renton elected officials, the Nishiwaki delegation, representatives from the Hyogo Business and Cultural Center, Consulate-General of Japan (Seattle Office), the Renton Lions Club, and dozens of Renton community members. During the City to City gift exchange, Mayor Denis Law presented Mayor Juichi Kishi two gifts: a framed print of Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park by local artist Richard Jahn, and the glass bowl created when the delegates visited Uptown Glassworks for a demonstration with artist Chris Heilman. On behalf of the City of Nishiwaki, Japan, Mayor Juichi Kishi presented two gifts to Mayor Law: an encased replica of a samurai helmet and a ceramic vase which will be displayed at Renton City Hall. Eleven members of the delegation stayed at the Renton Holiday Inn; the remaining six delegates were hosted by members of the Renton community. Delegates paid for their own travel and hotel expenses. Through donations and a fundraiser earlier this year, the Renton-Nishiwaki Sister Committee raised supporting funds to cover delegate expenses for the various activities and excursions.

Membership: Unknown.

Executive Board: Unknown.

RLC Member - LERC Director: (5) Suellen Campbell.

Melvin Jones Fellowship: John & Eleanor Bertagni, & Fred Penwell.

Miscellaneous Award (3) - Co-Awarded the IKEA Renton River Day’s Outstanding Service Award: along with the Renton Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs for years of support.

Summary: We have a pattern going for theme years and this year it is “Sharing Our Magic”, which kicked off with our new officers wearing Mickey Mouse ears for their installation.     We spent the summer months successfully operating the Lion’s Den at the Piazza, and hosted the Renton River Days Pancake Breakfast. Operations with the Renton School District concession stand at the stadium (since 1965) ended as Nutrition Services Department took control. Even though we no longer had the concessions stand, we kept the food theme going - we put on our Bohunk, Italian and Pioneer Night dinners.  And we put on a new dinner this year, for the World War II Veterans.  It was a success as it gave them the opportunity to get together and reminisce about the old days.    We did 4 dinners at the Ronald McDonald House.  We added a new fund raiser: selling boxes of Fuji apples; our first try seemed fairly easy, and successful, so we will continue each year.   The club was co-awarded the IKEA Renton River Day’s Outstanding Service Award for 2010, along with the Renton Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs for the many years of service we all provided in supporting the Renton River Days.

 

Summary: A little change as Roger was doing a repeat from 40 years ago, so it was “Back to the Future”.  He even brought Ray Peretti back to repeat as his Secretary from 40 years ago.   We were excited as the Lions Clubs International Convention was held in Seattle.  Over 30 Renton Lions were very involved in the various convention activities: Airport Greeters, parade staging, Operation Reading, Special Olympics, Luncheons, Entertainment, and more convention events.  There were over 18,000 Lions from all over the world, right here in downtown Seattle! A new Administrative Fundraiser was a wine tasting; we sold bottles of Renton Red and Renton White wines.  New Service Project - the Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup added the responsiblity for litter removal from the I-405 and Route 167 interchange.

Delegates: Unknown.

Summary: Hosted students from Nishiwaki and attended several Sister City events.

Lion of the Year Award: Dave Reed.

Cub of the Year Award: Nicole Mellinger.

Membership Key Award: Senior Master Key (25 Members) - Lion Roger Richert.

Theme: All Our Dreams Come True, If We Have the Courage to Pursue Them - Walt Disney.

Summary: Unknown.