The South Park Lions Club is one of the oldest charitable groups in South Park Township. The Club was originally chartered as the Library Lions Club in 1960 with 27 members. During the 1980's, the club's name was changed to reflect the association with South Park.
The charter members were Bruno Bastianini, A.S. Chesmar, Donald D. Cirilla, Robert H. Comer, Herman A. Cornelius, Joseph Cunka, Thomas F. Dennick, Rudolph Dermotta, Jacob Dolonce, Jr., Jacob Dolonce, Sr., Norbert C. Hodgson, Glen Honan, Charles Hope, Robert C. Immel, John Johnson, Eugene C. Ocepek, James A. Ross, John W. Saunders, John Shorts, Philip J. Smock, Gutrie Taboni, Sanuel Velmer, Charles Waggett, J.M. Wallace, Jr., Michael Wattik, Jr., David G. Werner and Dr. T.L. Wilfong. John Saunders was the Club's first president.
Gutrie Taboni, is the only active charter member. Overall, the club has 22 active members.
Charter member Gene Ocepek recalled that in 1959 the Lions Club in Canonsburg PA suggested that Library form a club of its own. Gene said that about 8-10 interested individuals who were meeting at the Library Veterans Club on Pleasant Street recruited other persons and formed the Library Lions in early 1960.
The Lions met at the Granish Club, better known as the Library Entertaining and Educational Home, on Simmons Avenue in the early 1960's where the food, according to Gene, was "very good." The Club then moved its meetings to the South Park Inn on Brownsville Road for a number of years, Gil's Cafe on Brownsville Road, Rose’s in Bavarian Village, Hot Shot’s on Brownsville Road, back to Granish Hall, Donte’s Pizzeria on Brownsville Road, South Park Club House, Mitty's on Brownsville Ext. and now back to Donte’s Pizzeria on Brownsville Road.
Gene said that one of the earliest Lions Club fund-raising events was door-to-door broom sales. "We canvassed the township on foot," he said. 'At that time there were 4,000-5,000 residents and we stopped at every house."
The Lions have conducted a number of fund-raisers and in addition to brooms, which the Club still sells, light bulbs and trash bags were also sold. Some of the other fund-raisers included raffles, 50-50 drawings, Monte Carlo nights, Country and Western Dances, BINGOs, and the first "oldies" nights in the township. The Lions have also participated in South Park Township's annual Community Day and had sponsored the annual Halloween Parade for over 50 years. We joined with South Park Township a few years ago and now have a Halloween Party for the kids in the community the Sunday before Halloween. We as in the past have prizes for the best costumes. The Club had hospital equipment available and still arranges for eye testing and eyeglasses for the needy. We had also purchased, installed, and maintained the Christmas lights in Library and Broughton for many years until taken over by South Park Township.
Monies earned from the fund-raising are donated directly to organizations representing individuals with special needs, primarily sight-impaired persons. The Club has also donated funds to local residents and organizations on a case-by-case basis. Both Township and South Park School District activities have also benefited from the Club's efforts.
