PENTICTON LIONS CLUB RECEIVED ITS CHARTER ON OCTOBER 5, 1949 AND HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN AND AROUND PENTICTON EVER SINCE.
We are member of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest and most represented service club organization. With over 48000 clubs in over 210 counties in the world.
“Lionism” was started in Chicago, Illinois, June 7, 1917 by Melvin Jones in response to social problems created by WWI and rapid industrialization. The Lions objectives were to provide service to the community and assistance to the less fortunate.
The Lions motto is “WE SERVE.” It’s that simple. Our local clubs are places where individuals join together to give their valuable time and effort to improving their communities, and the world.
The following are some of our early projects and accomplishments:
- 1962 - conducted a fundraising campaign to provide air conditioners to the Penticton Regional Hospital. We continue to donate to the hospital annually through the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation (SOSMF).
- 1979 - helped start the Okanagan Similkameen Neurological Society (OSNS) which provides services to handicapped children.
- Helped start the Penticton and District Society for Community Living (PDSCL)
- 1983 – raised over $80,000 to help fund the creation of Lions Park (and ball field) on Warren Avenue. Recently, in 2017, in celebration of Lions 100 years of Service, we purchased and installed a new bench and planted a tree for the park.
- We are proud members of the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities. The Society operates 3 camps, one is in Winfield (Lake Country). We donate to the camp to help fund camperships and to help fund and maintain the camp’s infrastructure. In 1989, we donated over $10,000 to purchase an industrial oven for the camp.
- We have hosted 9 Multiple District 19 (MD19) Conventions since 1970, the most recent was in October 2022, bringing thousands of Lions to Penticton and stimulating the city’s economy. We also hosted several District Conferences.
Our current fundraising projects include:
• PACIFIC NORTHWEST ELVIS FESTIVAL - Beverage Garden and Pancake Breakfast – last full weekend in June
• TEXAS HOLD’EM POKER – monthly September thru May – at the Copper Mug Pub
• YARD SALES – at least once a year
Our current local service projects:
• SPECIAL NEEDS - for individual members of the community since about 1950
• SOS MEDICAL FOUNDATION - since 1962
• OSNS - OKANAGAN SIMILKAMEEN NEUROLOGICAL SOCIETY FOR CHILDREN - since about 1980
• PENTICTON HIGH SCHOOL & PRINCESS MARGARET SCHOLARSHIPS – since about 1990 and 2005 respectively
• MINOR HOCKEY & JUNIOR CURLING - since about 1990 and 2010 respectively
• OKANAGAN COLLEGE BUSINESS BURSARY - since about 2010
• BACKPACKS FOR THE HOMELESS – since 2010
• SOUPATERIA – full Christmas dinners since 2015
• SALVATION ARMY KETTLE CAMPAIGN – since 2015
• SKAHA SUNRISE HOUSING – since 2011
• CAMP WINFIELD & EASTER SEAL HOUSE – since inception
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT
• LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION (LCIF)
• LIONS FOUNDATION OF CANADA DOG GUIDES
• VISION - EYEGLASS COLLECTION FOR RECYCLING
• VISION - CNIB • YOUTH (LIONS QUEST)
• DIABETES • CHILDHOOD CANCER
• HUNGER • HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS
• ENVIRONMENT • DISASTER RELIEF
When you become a Lion, you become part of a global network of volunteers working together to make a difference … at the international, national, provincial and local level. Here are just a few of the great benefits you can expect:
- Join a Community of Good
- Put Leadership Skills into Action
- Access a Global Support System
- Experience the Feeling of Service
- Friendships that last a lifetime
Updated January 2024
