History of the Springfield Gardens Lions Club 

     On March 23, 2009, the Springfield Gardens Lions Club (SGLC) made history with 26 enthusiastic charter members. Transfer Lion Greta I. Salsbury of the Brooklyn Prospect Heights Lions Club, garnered support from the Brooklyn Prospect Heights Lions Club to sponsor the formation of the Springfield Gardens Lions Club (SGLC). PDG Lion Earl Williams served the club as a Guiding Lion. During the first three years of inception, the club organized and hosted several successful community service projects such as Annual Pre-Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners for Saratoga Family Shelter’s children, engaged in environmental clean-up events, made monetary donations to the Queens Library Laurelton Branch, marched annually in the American Cancer Society's Breast Cancer Walk, QSCAN Sickle Cell Awareness Walk, American Diabetes Association and the Laurelton Memorial Day Parade. SGLC organized holiday celebrations and toy giveaways for the children of Dove House (a home for victims of domestic violence), eyeglass collection drives, Thanksgiving Day baskets for families in need, and partnered with local politicians to perform community service events. On June 23, 2010, the Springfield Gardens Lions Club sponsored and gave rise to the chartering of the Springfield Gardens Leos Club to provide youth between the ages of 12 to 30 an opportunity to "We Serve Too". 

       From July 2012 through June 2014, the club established its signature project the Reading Action Program (RAP) at the Laurelton branch library. During this time period, the club hosted several successful fundraisers such as raffles, casino bus trips, and the Fifth Club Anniversary Luncheon that contributed to the establishment of the club’s Scholarship Fund for high school graduates and college students. From July 2014 through June 2016, the club focused on establishing annual programs and events at the Laurelton library: Black History, Earth Day, and Health Awareness Celebration. In 2016, the Springfield Gardens Lions Club applied and obtained 501(c)(3) status to be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a nonprofit organization. From July 2016 through June 2017, the Springfield Gardens Lions Club, Inc. focused on addressing local, domestic, and international community needs affected by natural disasters. In October 2016, the club organized its First White Cane Awareness Safety event that continues to be held in October. In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led the SGLC to transform into a virtual club that utilized technology to provide services to the community. Club members mastered Zoom, PowerPoint, and Telephone conferencing to host programs and events virtually for the community.  

    Since September 2021, the Springfield Gardens Lions Club, Inc. has resumed providing in-person community service activities and look forward to meeting the needs of the residents of Springfield Gardens and beyond. During this time until June 2023, the club became more active in hosting Black Spectrum Theater play fundraisers and held successful community service projects with collecting shoes for the less fortunate. In addition, the club increased the number of Thanksgiving Day baskets it provided to the churches of St. John Baptist Church, Inwood, St. Mary Magdalene Roman Catholic Church of Springfield Gardens, Christ the King Roman Catholic Church of Springfield Gardens and Helen Keller Services for the Blind, Hempstead, NY. From 2023 – 2025, the Springfield Gardens Lions Club, Inc began hosting virtual Mental Health and health related Zoom workshops led my medical professionals. In addition, the club has held successful fundraisers for the Super Bowl and community events such as a sock drive for the Saratoga Family Shelter Inn. Beginning in July 2025, the Springfield Gardens Lions Club, ventured into being a host of a Peace Poster Contest and successfully held a community request for youth paintings. 

Distinguished Service Projects
Since its inception, the Springfield Gardens Lions Club, Inc., has earned several club banner patches from Lions Club International, Inc for their commitment to community service. SGLC has been awarded by Lions Clubs International, Inc’s patches for the following achievements: Leo Club Sponsor, Club Excellence Award (2016 – 2017 and 2017 – 2018, 2022 - 2023), Lions Eye Bank Sponsor, a Recognized Reading Action Program, Four Diamond Centennial Service Challenges, Lions for Diabetes Awareness: Strides, Membership Satisfaction, Year-Round Growth, and Retention Campaign, MJF Banner Path – First Time (2023), and several club members have been awarded the 10-Year Charter Monarch Chevron, 15-Year Charter Monarch Chevron, and Membership Key. In addition, the club or club members have been recognized by New York City and New York State elected officials.