Brief History of the Dawsonville Lions Club
The Dawsonville Lions Club held its first organizational meeting January 15, 1953 and was granted a charter February 2, 1953. The charter was presented to the Club February 16. 1953. Their sponsor was the Dahlonega Lions Club. The Dawsonville Lions Club became the first service club in Dawson County and the 200th Lions Club in the State of Georgia.
There were 24 members when the Club was chartered and membership has varied during the Club’s 60 years in existence and currently has 36 members. The Club set ambitious goals from the start and immediately was very active serving the community. Over the years, service was expanded to include state and international projects.
The sight conservation program, which provides eye exams and eyeglasses for the needy in the community, was established the first year and still exists today. Service projects started with financial help for the purchase of a fire engine, the building a log cabin for the Boy Scout Troop and programs at the schools and the community. Over the years, the programs have been expanded to include Lions Club International, the Georgia Lions Lighthouse and the Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind. The STAR Student/STAR Teacher Program has been supported since 1958. Educational programs supported are Dawson County High School scholarships, the Dawson County Library and Wee Books. Community programs supported are the Good Shepherd Clinic, the Dawson County Humane Society, the Georgia Lions Lighthouse,the Georgia Lions Camp, Leader Dogs, and the Dawson County Senior Center.
Fund raising needed to support the various projects started with wrestling matches, chicken barbecues and other miscellaneous projects. Today, the major fund-raisers are a charity golf tournament, White Cane Day, and Georgia pecan salesl.
Members of the Dawsonville Lions Club have served, and will continue to serve, at the District and State levels. These offices include Region, Zone and District Committee Chairs. Two of the Lions have become District Governors. The Lions of the Dawsonville Lions Club are living up to the Lions motto: “WE SERVE”.
