HISTORY OF EDWINSTOWE & THE DUKERIES LIONS CLUB
The club was chartered in 1979 and celebrates its “ birthday” each October with a dinner dance at South Forest Edwinstowe.
Lions Club International started in Chicago, USA in 1917 by the founder of LCI, Melvin Jones. LCI is the largest service organisation in the world, with over 46,000 clubs, 1.35 million members in 200 countries. The principle of Lions is simple:
“We serve local communities”
Each Lions club is founded by a charter and has a constitution and by – laws. It is managed by a team of elected officers and led by a Club President. The British Isles & Ireland is known as Multiple District 105 and has 13 Districts each of which has an elected District Governor.
Lions Clubs International is a secular, non-political, volunteer membership organisation. Modest annual membership fees cover all of its administrative costs – at local, national and international level. This means monies raised by fund-raising are spent supporting good causes.
Edwinstowe & The Dukeries Lions have raised in excess of £325,000 in the last 37 years with the majority of the money going back into the local community. The club makes donations locally, nationally and internationally. When a major natural disaster strikes in any part of the globe LCI will send funds to the nearest appropriate Lions District, so food, shelter and emergency supplies are on hand immediately. Edwinstowe LC makes donations to the LCI disaster fund so there is always money available for International Aid.
Over the years the club has supported scores of good causes, individuals and groups who were in need of a helping hand. The main fund raising activities have been: the Christmas Sleigh Pull, Easter Egg Raffles, Race Nights, Millionaires Nights and Quiz Nights. The club helps Diabetes UK and Marie Curie collections and have a great night collecting from local pubs for Children In Need.
The Club will help any worthwhile cause or group not just with an appropriate donation but also by providing manpower to help the organisation reach its goals.
Activities also offer an opportunity for fun and fellowship. The social side of Lions clubs includes fashion show events, dinners and balls, informal get-togethers and a chance to travel and meet fellow Lions across clubs, districts, multiple-districts and internationally. This lively community extends across social media to enable global friendships to be formed with like-minded Lions
If you share our values, why not consider applying to become a Lion.
Membership currently stands at 24 members both male & female and we are looking for new members to enable the club to serve many more in our community in our Centennial Year of 2017-2018.
Contact Lion President Martin McKean on 07514 311123
