The Lions Club of West Chicago
The Lions Club of West Chicago was initially founded in 1924 and survived until 1935 when it was disbanded due to the economic conditions caused by the Great Depression. Our current club was chartered on December 14, 1960 by 25 charter members, all men, one of whom is still active with the Club today! Lions International and West Chicago began to accept woman as members in 1994.
The first meetings were held in the old American Legion building which burned necessitating a move to the Turner Junction Restaurant on Main Street. In 1962 the club moved it’s meetings to the United Methodist Church now located on Washington Street and have added a second meeting location at Augustino’s Rock & Roll Deli. We currently meet on the first and third Thursday of the month - every 1st Thursday we meet at Augustino’s in the evening and on the 3rd Thursday we meet at the Church at noon for a prepared lunch.
Meetings consist of programs of interest to our members, either topics of local interest or Lions from the Regional and State organization filling us in on life in Lionism, followed by a brief business meeting.
The Lions Club of West Chicago hosts social events throughout the year. These events offer an opportunity for members to invite spouses and friends to share in our fellowship. The social functions include an Annual Christmas Party, the Spring New Officers Installation Dinner, as well as golf outings, the District Bowling Tournament, Cougars games just to name a few - and limited only by our imagination!
Club members are asked to participate in a variety of fundraising initiatives so that we may provide assistance to our community and to various Lions projects. We are currently active with Candy Day, two annual Pancake Breakfasts, and a Fall Firewood Sale. Our Club challenges our members to assist with developing new opportunities to involve the community and to raise funds.
Funds raised by our members become a part of our Charitable Corporation, and we disseminate these funds through a grant process and specific requests. West Chicago Lions have given support to Camp Lions for children with sight and hearing deficits, We Grow Dreams a local job training program for disabled individuals, we have supported our local food pantries with annual Holiday Contributions and this year we supported a local family through the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, insuring that there would be funds to support a child’s post transplant medical needs. We operate a cost free eye exam and glasses program for local residents, and have provided special readers for people to use long term if needed. There are too many more to list!
The West Chicago Lions take the Lions Motto “ We Serve” to heart. If you are looking for an opportunity to give back to your community, look no further!
For more information please ask a Lions member or
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