History of the Ridgefield Lions Club

The Ridgefield Lions Club received its charter on April 19,1929. During their 80 plus years of service, the Ridgefield Lions have continuously served their community.

In 1997, the club members created a rather unique project when they introduced the “Native American Arts Festival,” which has remained one of their most popular events for many years.

Since it’s beginnings, the Ridgefield Lions have delivered holiday food baskets to those in need during the Thanksgiving and holiday seasons. As many as 90 families have been the recipients of these timely and welcome gifts.

The club members participate in the Visiting Nurse Association’s annual Health Day, and continue to select a worthy student each year for a Lion’s scholarship.

Other services associated with the early days of this club include bus trips for school children to the Bronx Zoo and the New York Museum of Natural History, glaucoma screening clinics, vision and hearing clinics, and sponsorship of Scout units. In recent years, the club has actively participated in the annual Peace Poster contest.

Lion Anna Lossius has the distinction of being the first woman to serve as President of the Ridgefield Lions Club. The Ridgefield Lions are proud that seventeen of its members have been named as Melvin Jones Fellows, six as Knights of the Blind, and one Ambassador of Sight.

Fundraising projects include the clubs annual golf tournament and raffle, which together result in generating income totaling more than $20,000.

an excerpt from A Brief History of Lionism in Connecticut 2007 - see the website http://www.lionwap.org/cthistorylionism