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History

The Punta Gorda Lions Club was Chartered in 1966. Lion George Wright served as our Charter President.

Early Club fund raising activities included White Cane Day, Lions Candy Day and various Community Service Projects, such as the Block Party and the Downtown Civic Association events.
In 1992, we formed the Punta Gorda Lions Foundation so as to receive tax-exempt donations. Our primary donors included Ann Schraeder, Lions Bobbie Ress, June Weimer and Bernie Recker, plus support from various corporate and local foundations. The proceeds from our Foundations’s investments and member donations have allowed us to award significant College Scholarships, now named for Mrs. Schraeder, and various community organizations such as Peace River Wildlife Center. We have also supported the various Lions entities in Florida, including the Florida Lions Foundation for the Blind, Southeastern Guide Dogs, Lions Cronklin Center and the Florida Eye Banks
Several years later we purchased our “Food Wagon” and it went everywhere dispensing pancakes, hamburgers and fries. This was also the time of our aluminum can recycling project.
In 2001, Lion Bob Runyon assembled a Volunteer Team of nine Doctors and Surgeons who subsequently traveled to the Jungles of Panama, to provide Eye Care for the members of the Embera Indian Tribe. The Emberas are indigenous to the Jungles of Panama and live very primitively. During the trip, the Team performed 40 Cataract Surgeries in less than a week.
In 2013, Lion Bob Whipple suggested we look into forming a Leo Club at Charlotte High School. Lion Bob sponsored the Club, which is named is named in memory of his son, Jim. The Whipple Chapter now exists through the super dedication of their Adviser Marie Hochsprung and members of the Lions.
However, the most significant accomplishment of the Punta Gorda Lions Club during the past 53 years is the service we have brought to our Community. Eye Exams and Eye Glasses number in the tens of thousands, as do Hearing and Vision treatments, all provided by the dedication and hard work of our members and volunteers.
“WE SERVE"

Past Presidents

2020-2021 Lion Monte Barksdale
2019-2020 Lion Tom Jeremiason
2019 Lion Rosemary Neiderhauser
2017-2019 Lion Paula Paquette
2017 Lion Pat Favero
2016-2017 Lion Bill Favero
2015-2016 Lion Jean Ringelstein
2014-2015 Lion Judy Chorazak
2013-2014 Lion Bill Rogg
2012-2013 Lion Dr. Mike Wesson
2011-2012 Lion Ron Mills
2008-2011 Lion Charlene Farino
2006-2008 Lion Diane Barber
2004-2006 Lion Gene Hovel, PDG
2003-2004 Lion Joe Russell
2001-2003 Lion Bill Ringelstein, PCC
2000-2001 Lion Gene Hovel, PDG
1999-2000 Lion Joe Russell
1997-1999 Lion Lil St. John
1996-1997 Lion Ray Elder
1995-1996 Lion Joe Russell
1993-1995 Lion Bernie Recker
1992-1993 Lion Bill Ringelstein, PCC
1991-1992 Lion Jack Dritt
1989-1991 Lion Don Allen
1987-1989 Lion Jack Gelato
1986-1987 Lion Edgar Mato
1985-1986 Lion Leonard Meiner
1985-1986 Lion Pat Farino
1985-1986 Lion RickBurton
1984-1985 Lion Merland McQueen
1983-1984 Lion Warren Smith
1982-1983 Lion John Winter
1981-1982 Lion Francis DeJohn
1980-1981 Lion Ray Elder
1979-1980 Lion George Smith
1978-1979 Lion George Spender
1977-1978 Lion Harry Raskin
1975-1977 Lion Warren Hessler
1974-1975 Lion Bud Orr
1973-1974 Lion Harold Mallette
1972-1973 Lion Jules Taylor
1971-1972 Lion Carl Powell
1970-1971 Lion Ray Johnson
1969-1970 Lion Ray Elder
1968-1969 Lion Russell Bredeweg
1967-1968 Lion George Wright

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Melvin Jones Fellows

Lion William D. Armitage 1996 Progressve 1-Diamond
Lion Aaron Blackburn 1996
Lion Betsy E. Davis 2015
Lion Gerald Demi 1998
Lion Anthony Dente 1996
Lion Raymond Elder 1991
Lion Charline R. Farino 2011
Lion William A. Favero 2012
Lion Pat Favero 2012
Lion June Griffin 1993
Lion Thomas S. Jeremiason 2000
Lion Mary Ann Kams 2000
Lion William Kellerman 1995 Prograssive 1-Diamond
Lion John A. Manning 2005
Lion Ron Mills 2012
Lion Paula Paquette 1995 Progressive 1-Diamond
Lion Lydia Pritchard 2003
Lion Boobie Ruth Ress 2008
Lion Roger L. Richmond 2004
Lion Wiliam E. Ringelstein 1988 Progressive 2-Diamonds
Lion Jean Ringelstein 1999
Lion Elleanore Riordan 2002 Progressive 3-Diamonds
Lion Joseph I. Russell Sr. 1995
Lion Terri R. Smith 2014
Lion Austin J. Weimer 1992
Lion Jean M. Williams 2010
Lion Reggie Weiss 1996

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