During the Great Depression, Lions delivered food baskets to families in need and that project eventually became the Doylestown Community Food Cupboard, feeding hundreds today and thousands over the years.

In 1945, Lions members dug into their pockets, bought 15 acres in the center of town, planted the trees and built the facilities for Memorial Park to honor the local heroes who died in WWII. Memorial Park has been the heartbeat of the community ever since, serving thousands yearly in a setting of tranquility, beauty and sports venues.

Shortly after WWII, Lions partnered with the Legion and the Firemen to begin the Homecoming celebration that became the modern-day Rogues Hollow Festival which draws thousands to Doylestown every August.

Lions have awarded scholarships to 62 Chippewa Seniors since 1961 and this year awarded two, $4,000 scholarships. That’s over $200,000 to advance the educations of our local students.

In April 2021, Lions voted to spend $5,500 for a recognition program in local schools run by the School Resource Officer. That allows the program to be expanded to more grades and schools where more deserving students will get the recognition they have earned.

Providing free eye exams and glasses to children and adults, we are improving the recipient’s quality of life. Pre-school screening catches eye problems in 3 to 5-year-olds. If we find a problem, we refer the child to seek further care.

The Club has collected more than 35,000 pairs of used eye glasses which were sent to under developed countries. This program allows recipients to have free eye exams and glasses. For many, it is the first time in their life that they can see clearly.

Lions, along with the American Legion Post, organized the Village Square renovation in 1985. Lions paid for the architectural work and the actual construction was done by Lions & Legion members. This is now the site of our free summer concerts.

For more than 30 years we have sponsored the Leo Club at Chippewa High School. This group of teenagers is the most active service group at the school. They plan their own projects and assist Lions on many of our projects during the year.

Lions have given recognition dinners to athletic teams, band members and individuals who reach the state finals in their respective fields of endeavor. It’s a way for the community torecognize their hard work and skills.

Little League Baseball, 4-H, both Boy and Girl Scouts and the student Safety Patrol have all benefited from the support of the Lions Club.

Beginning in 1972, Lions began making popcorn balls to give to students at Ida Sue School and the Holmes County Disability Shelter, with over 100,000 popcorn balls produced since that time.

In 1942 the club began to host an annual Halloween Party and Snollyghoster Parade for the community youth.  Popcorn, apples and money prizes are awarded.

Each year the club hosts Safety Village for all children entering kindergarten. The week-long event is designed to teach safety on the street, in the home, on the school bus and among strangers. Each year since 1979, club members, their spouses and community volunteer to prepare the children for school and to be safety conscious. Over the years more than 3,000 children have experienced Safety Village.

Over $25,000 in camperships to Camp Echoing Hills in Warsaw, Ohio has been given for physically challenged residents who otherwise would not have attended camp. Starting in 1972, Doylestown Lions volunteers have helped build many cabins and other facilities at Echoing Hills.

Lions began an annual flea market at Memorial Park in 1971 which became the Village Wide Yard Sale. The huge event has become a multi-generational tradition drawing folks from across the state.

Doylestown Lions Club has been privileged to have a member elected as president of the International Association of Lions Clubs. W.R. “Dick” Bryan was elected as 3^rd Vice President in 1966. Bryan was elected to the presidency at the 1969 International Lions convention in Tokyo, Japan, with the Emperor of Japan sharing the stage.

The Doylestown Lions Club was founded in 1934 and in 87 years has raised over $500,000, all of which funded community improvements or direct benefits to individuals inneed.

Doylestown Lions gave over $35,000 to Lions International SightFirst Campaigns. Those campaigns raised over $300,000,000 and built over 400 clinics and hospitals. SightFirst also funded vaccination campaigns that saved over eight million children from River Blindness.

Lions fund-raisers used to be BBQs and Broom & Bulb sales. Now Lions sell donuts and roses. Lions never ask for donations: we always sell something of value like donuts and roses and every penny of the profits benefit the community.

Numerous Eagle Scout Service Projects have been funded by the Lions Club. Not only does the Eagle Scout benefit, but the public gains a new asset created by the Scout.

Doylestown Lions gave $5,000 toward construction of the Gene Daniel Community Center. That donation was used as seed money to attract grants that gave the community a major new facility.

In 1974 when the new Village Hall was built, the Lions Club took on the project of finishing the entire lower floor as a community meeting room. Hundreds of groups, organizations and committees have used that rent-free space for meetings and activities to benefit the entire community.

In 1977 when the community sought a downtown location for the public library, the Village Council offered space they owned by Village Hall and the Lions spearheaded a campaign to build the Paullin Library.