History of the Watertown Lions Club
The Watertown Lions Club was organized October 25, 1949 under the sponsorship of the Waterbury Lions club. Their many fundraising projects assist the community throughout the year. These events include a food both at the town’s fall festival, a bowling tournament, a Christmas tree sale, a golf tournament in May, and a lobster sale on Fathers Day weekend. The club also participates in a number of District and Multiple District events such as the “Shoot Out” for diabetes and Lions Sight Saver Day.
The Watertown Lions club shows its commitment to area youth by providing eyeglasses to needy school children, sponsorship and support of the Gordon C. Swift Middle School Leo Club, Watertown High School Scholarships, and the Al Dodge Outstanding Youth Citizen Award, named in memory of Past District Governor Alan Dodge. A fishing derby is also held on a well stocked private pond for “Special Citizens” in April.
The Watertown Lions also provide Easter baskets on Good Friday to many of the town’s needy families.
The service activities of the Watertown Lions club are enhanced by a group of retired Lions under the name of the LOFPC. Contrary to popular belief, the group is officially called the “Lions Old Fellows Professional Craftsmen.” This group raises funds and provides many free and low cost services to residents of Watertown-Oakville. Painting the stage at the Watertown High School, and dismantling and reconstructing the Old Nova Scotia Hill School are but a sample of the projects.
Assistance is provided to the elderly in a number of areas. A free breakfast is provided to the seniors at the Watertown Senior Center each fall and the “Life-Line” alert system is provided to a number of elderly citizens in town.
The most memorable project of the club was providing assistance to a woman who was facing blindness as a result of a rare retina degenerative disease. The club assisted her by meeting costs that were not covered by her insurance, as she underwent experimental eye surgery in Cleveland. Several other Lions clubs in Connecticut also provided assistance.
Following more than a year of treatment, the club received the good news that she no longer needed to use a white cane, and with her returning sight, could achieve independence and returned to work.
The Watertown Lions club is proud to say, WE SERVE!
an excerpt from A Brief History of Lionism in Connecticut 2007 - see the website
