Welcome
The German Valley Lions Club wishes to extend an invitation to any interested individual who would like to become a member of our group.
Perhaps you would like to know a little bit about us.
The Lions Club, German Valley’s only service organization, was chartered on April 28, 1980. During the past 40 plus years it has remained true to its Mission Statement, which is “To serve the local community by supporting numerous projects, both physically and monetarily, that will benefit and improve the welfare of the local area and by providing monetary donations to assist the hearing and visually impaired through various programs offered at the local, district, state nation and international levels.”
Its projects include construction of the Ben Miller Park’s small shelter house, the purchase of German Valley’s street signs, construction and operation of the park’s Snack Bar, just to name several.
Sponsorship the of the annual German Valley Days Festival, coordination of the Summer Recreation Program for area youth, sponsorship of an annual Easter Egg Hunt, awarding of $500 scholarship to a graduating Forreston High School Senior, and most recently conducting Drive-Thru Supper fundraisers tells you a bit about the work we do.
The club makes monetary donations to deserving causes, too numerous to mention, from those made to local needs to the support of the visually and hearing impaired and its newest endeavor, aid to those with childhood cancer.
We are a cordial, goal oriented, hard working group that fits the description offered by then International Director Phil Tom of Des Plaines when he spoke at the club’s 20th Anniversary Observance. He focused his thought on the meaning of “commitment”. “Commitment is working together in harmony,” he said. “Service is the tie that binds us together as Lions”. In all we do, the Lions Motto, “We Serve”, is first and foremost.
Remember, the door is always open.
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Installation of 2024 officers and board by PDG Duane Collman
Lions International LEADERSHIP AWARD presented to
Nick Williams by PDG Duane Collman
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Joint Fund Raiser with Leaf River Lions Club
GV Lions helped serve Chicago Style Hot Dogs at Mt Morris Music Festival on 7-12-24
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KEY AWARDS for opening the door of Lionism to individuals. Donna Smith (5) and Gene Fox (2)
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March 30, 2024 Easter Egg Hunt at Ben Miller Park
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Regular Meeting March 18, 2024
Pride of The Community Award
The “Pride of the Community Award” was presented to Shawn Gallagher for his membership on the German Valley Village Board, on the Forrestville Valley School Board, for his involvement in the addition off the new Ben Miller Park Playground, his help in the planning of German Valley Days and other services.
He is pictured with Lion Carlene Downs, his nominator, and Beth Watter, German Valley Lions President.
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Club Members filling Easter Eggs for upcoming hunt
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Regular meeting January 18, 2024
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District Governor Duane Collman related activities within our district and upcoming projects
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Regular Meeting July 20, 2023 Meeting at Ben Miller Park
Past District Governor Russ Sarver of Durand inducted new members Janel and James P Ganz, shown with their sponsors, Beth and Nik Watter.
Newly elected Board of Directors
Congratulatory balloons presented to new
District 1-D Governor Duane Collman by President Beth Watter
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July 14, 2023
Duane Collman received a Melvin Jones Fellowship.
Beth Watter and Nick Williams received the Lions of Illinois Foundation Fellowship.
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Regular meeting 6-15-23 at Ben Miller Park
Guest Speakers: Deputy Josh Garrett and K9 Propan of the Stephenson County Sheriff Dept.
1-D DGE Duane Collman provided and served grilled dinner.
Volunteers are requested for Pop Shack and GV Days.
Slate of officers take positions as of July 1, 2023.
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Meeting 5-18-23
Speaker Robert Plock, PDG and PCC provided club historical information and anecdotes. Services provided and project highlights were included.
Induction of new member Greg Crocker, pictured with Sponsor Bill Crocker and Duane Collman,
1st Vice District Governor and Club President
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Volunteers are needed to staff the Pop Shack at Ben Miller Park during baseball games. Electronic signup for openings is at
At the signup page, scroll down to see the openings and add your name.
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Regular Meeting April 20, 2023
Guest speaker PDG, Ron Fruit, representing of Lions Clubs of Illinois Foundation with Duane Collman, District Governer-Elect, District 1D
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A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR FAMILES AT THE PARK APRIL 8, 2023
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German Valley Lions are selling spring bulbs. We need your help to allow us to continue to serve our community. Each purchase will directly ship to the purchaser. Thank you for supporting the German Valley Lions.
2023 SPRING FUNDRAISER Click this link to view and order:
https://threeriversfundraising.com/fundraiser/gvlc-s23
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March 16, 2023 Regular Club Meeting
Duane Collman, 1st Vice District Governor Elect performs induction of new member Melissa Watter, with her sponsor, Lion Beth Watter; Kathy Reckert with her sponsor Lion Gene Fox.
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Ever wonder how that candy gets into those Easter Eggs? Look closely at the Lions Eggs.
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March 18, 2023 at 4:30pm
Soups- Chili, Chicken Noodle soup, Sauerkraut soup, Split Pea soup, and Potato soup
Along with Grilled cheese sandwiches and dessert. Adults $10 - Kids $5 kids under 3 free.
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Regular Meeting December 15, 2022 and Christmas Party
Robert Plock bestows historic Distric Governor pocketknife gift to Duane Collman, 1st Vice District Governor Elect and German Valley Lions Club President
Beth Watter receives Key Award from Lions International for sponsoring two or more new members
Duane Collman, 1st Vice District Governor Elect performs induction of new member Spencer Kelsey, pictured with his sponsor, Lion Gene Fox
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Christmas Party Gift Exchange provides enjoyment for the evening
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GV Lions Hall Updates Filing and Gets Reorganized December 1, 2022
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Regular Meeting Thusday November 17 6:30pm at Lions Hall
Past District Governor, Past International Director, Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow, Progressive Foundation Fellow Russ Sarver of Durand speaks to the group.
PDG Russ Sarver performs the induction of new member Cathy Kohlbauer, pictured with her sponsor, Lion Donna Smith
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Regular Club Meetiing Thursday 10/20/22 6:30pm
Presentation by FHN Nurses
Real life experiences and information about Childhood Cancer
Deb Bremmer Kaydra Heller
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Regular Club Meeting Thusday 9/15/22 6:30pm at Ben Miller Park
Stephenson County K9 Unit Officer Garrett and K9 Propan
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LIONS CANDY DAY IN OCTOBER
The German Valley Lions participate in the Lions of Illinois annual Candy Day Fundraiser on the second weekend in October. You will find us at the Drive Thru Fundraiser on October 8 seeking donations for the Lions of Illinois Foundation and passing out candy as well.
Do you wonder what the money is for? Here is your answer. The monies are collected as a fundraiser for the Lions of Illinois Foundation. This foundation was put together by Lions from all over our state to provide services that were desperately needed. At least 60% of the monies collected must go to this foundation. The Lions of Illinois Foundation Is a non- profit charitable organization and the means used by your Lions Club to provide statewide services for the blind and deaf. It was founded July I, 1974, is registered with the office of the Illinois Attorney General, and qualifies as a tax-exempt organization. Through the Foundation, your community and club benefit from these services:
- Infant Hearing Screenings
- Camp Lions for Children
- Cochlear Implant Program
- Camp Lions for Adults
- Used Hearing Aid Bank
- Lions Low Vision Clinic Jacksonville
- Used Eyeglasses/Hearing Aid Collection
- Comprehensive Evaluation Low Vision Clinics
- Social Services and Referral
- Diabetic Eye Center
- (Funds for Emergencies) L.I.F.E.
- Mobile Diabetic Eye Clinic
- Mobile Hearing Services Unit
The local Lions Clubs can keep 40% of the monies collected, but those funds must be used to supply assistance to the visually or hearing impaired. The German Valley Lions assist children and adults in need of financial assistance with eye exams and prescription eyewear with our Candy Day funds.
Spring Easter Egg Hunt
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.
