Welcome to Toronto Beaches Lions Club!
A Historical Sketch:
When it comes to serving the community nobody does it better.
Some of the activities of the TBLC, however, are very obvious to the public. Events such as the Easter Parade, Christmas Tree Lighting, Woodbine Park Canada Day celebrations, just some of the many activities sponsored and staged by the TBLC.
Who, in 1935, of the 20 charter members could have imagined that the Toronto Beaches Lions Club (TBLC) would have such a long and successful future.
A club whose zeal and vibrancy has enhanced the quality of life for many East Toronto residents. Many of the
good deeds performed by the Lions go almost totally unnoticed by the general public. Whether it be gifts of money, donations of food, heating fuel, clothing - the list is almost endless.
Since its beginning in 1935 the TBLC has had in excess of 400 different members. Many members were and are popular residents of the East End, such as Roy Nurse, Percy Jewison, Bill Sherrin, Chris Stavro, Madeleine Fleming and Lido Chilelli.
It is altogether fitting that TBLC events such as Canada Day and Christmas in the Park would come to be staged on the bandshell named after Alex Christie, a past president and outstanding member of the TBLC.
The membership roster has included, many of the East Ends' most colourful politicians. Among other Lions Clubs the TBLC was known as the Mayor's Club because 5 mayors of Toronto:
- Hiram McCallum,
- Bob Saunders,
- Don Summerville,
- Art Eggleton
- and June Rowlands, were also members of the TBLC.
Although the first female members of the club were not inducted into the club until 1989, the wives of the Lions have always been active in their own right, serving the community by means of a ladies auxiliary.
In modern times women Lions have figured prominently in the affairs of the TBLC.
The TBLC now operates from its own club house located at Ashbridges Bay, which, in characteristic Lions fashion, also serves as a community centre.
The centre is named after Johnathan Ashbridge, one of the first residents of the area.
Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.
