Piedmont Lions Club History
Under the leadership of District Governor Kenny R. (Serge) Helton, the Piedmont Lions Club was organized on May 15, 1952 and charter night was held at the Community Building in Piedmont on June 16, 1952. The Greenville Lions Club was the sponsoring club and presented the club with its gong and gavel. The club was organized with 19 charter members.
The first project of the Piedmont Lions Club was to sponsor an all-star black basketball game which raised $325. In December 1952, the Piedmont Lions donated a vision testing machine to the six local schools so that the schools could conduct an eye screening for all their students.
In 1953, the Piedmont Lions began to purchase eyeglasses and pay for eye exams for the needy. In May of 1953 the first annual broom sale was held and raised $300for sight conservation. In December 1955, the first annual fruit cake sale was held and raised$135. In September 1956 a concession stand was operated by the Piedmont Lions at the Piedmont High School football games. In April 1957, the Lions had purchased five wheel chairs and three hospital beds which were loaned out to the needy. In April 1959, the first collection of used eyeglasses was sent to India.
In June 1959, the Piedmont Lions Club won a third place achievement award in the District 32A Governors Contest. In March 1965, the Royal Ambassadors Basketball Tournament was supported by having members serve as coaches and referees. In October 1970, the first Candy Days was held and raised $500. In October 1971, $250 was donated to Care Pakistan Refugee Relief and $100 to Dr. M.C. Modi, an eye surgeon in India.
In August of 1983, $500 was donated to the Tri-City Medical Center in Pelzer, SC. In May 1982 and March 1983 a total of $2,237 was donated to the Piedmont Medical Clinic. Each year since 1983 our club has donated $1000 to Lions Clubs International Foundation. In 1987, the Piedmont Lions Club assisted the Pelzer and the Williamston Lions Clubs in placing the Lions Quest Program in Wren and Palmetto Middle schools. Later, the Piedmont Lions placed the Lions Quest Program in Woodmont Middle School.
The Piedmont Lions are also active in District, State and International Conventions. The Club has been represented at International Conventions as far away as Nice, France; Montreal, Canada; Taipei, Taiwan; and Seoul, Korea, as well as many cities across the U.S. The Piedmont Lions Club also has two past District Governors of Lions International: Archie W. Gaines (1965-1966) and Lanny W. Balentine (1986-1987). Lanny W. Balentine served as President in SCLSCA (1992-1993).
The first project of the Piedmont Lions Club was to sponsor an all-star black basketball game which raised $325. In December 1952, the Piedmont Lions donated a vision testing machine to the six local schools so that the schools could conduct an eye screening for all their students.
In 1953, the Piedmont Lions began to purchase eyeglasses and pay for eye exams for the needy. In May of 1953 the first annual broom sale was held and raised $300for sight conservation. In December 1955, the first annual fruit cake sale was held and raised$135. In September 1956 a concession stand was operated by the Piedmont Lions at the Piedmont High School football games. In April 1957, the Lions had purchased five wheel chairs and three hospital beds which were loaned out to the needy. In April 1959, the first collection of used eyeglasses was sent to India.
In June 1959, the Piedmont Lions Club won a third place achievement award in the District 32A Governors Contest. In March 1965, the Royal Ambassadors Basketball Tournament was supported by having members serve as coaches and referees. In October 1970, the first Candy Days was held and raised $500. In October 1971, $250 was donated to Care Pakistan Refugee Relief and $100 to Dr. M.C. Modi, an eye surgeon in India.
In August of 1983, $500 was donated to the Tri-City Medical Center in Pelzer, SC. In May 1982 and March 1983 a total of $2,237 was donated to the Piedmont Medical Clinic. Each year since 1983 our club has donated $1000 to Lions Clubs International Foundation. In 1987, the Piedmont Lions Club assisted the Pelzer and the Williamston Lions Clubs in placing the Lions Quest Program in Wren and Palmetto Middle schools. Later, the Piedmont Lions placed the Lions Quest Program in Woodmont Middle School.
The Piedmont Lions are also active in District, State and International Conventions. The Club has been represented at International Conventions as far away as Nice, France; Montreal, Canada; Taipei, Taiwan; and Seoul, Korea, as well as many cities across the U.S. The Piedmont Lions Club also has two past District Governors of Lions International: Archie W. Gaines (1965-1966) and Lanny W. Balentine (1986-1987). Lanny W. Balentine served as President in SCLSCA (1992-1993).
The future of the Piedmont Lions Club is very bright as we have added members throughout the year. Come join us for a meeting and help the Piedmont community!
