The Wilmington Lions Club was organized on May 17, 1922. Its charter banquet was held at the Seashore Hotel on July 17, 1922 with 50 members. The Wilmington Lions Club was among the first 10 original Lions Clubs started in 1922 in North Carolina, being the fourth to be charted.
The Wilmington Lions Club might be called the mother of Lionism in South Eastern North Carolina. Among the Lions Clubs sponsored included Leland, Southport, Cape Fear, Hanover, Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach though several of the Clubs are no longer in existence or have been re-charted.
The Club is the home of six District Governors: Joe Hood, Wallace I. West, John King, Billy Mason, Norman Kimbrough, and Onree Fisher. Lion Wallace I West served as International Director. Lion West was awarded the highest award given by Lions International, the Ambassador of Goodwill.
Early projects included sponsoring a Little League Team, a Civic Club Softball League, fashion shows, selling Halloween Candy and distributing Christmas baskets to families of the visually impaired.
The Club celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 1971. Past International Director Dick Bryan was the keynote speaker.
The current fund raising projects include the Annual Wallace I. West Golf Classic and Brighter Drives. The Club participates in the Salvation Army Bell Ringing, the Vision Van, and the NC VIP Fishing Tournament. In 2014, the club donated funds for over 100 for eye exams and glasses for needy visually impaired, funds for Camp Dogwood Camperships, and donations to NCLF, and for Boys and Girls Home of NC. The Club held a Thanksgiving Banquet for visually impaired guests. The Club continues to provide Christmas food baskets for families of the visually impaired.
In July of 2015 the Wilmington Cape Fear Lions and the Wrightsville Beach Lions merged with the Wilmington Lions Club. Now the Club has 35 members and is working hard to continue to serve the greater Wilmington NC community.
The Wilmington Lions Club celebrated its 100th Year of Service in 2022.
Officers of the Wilmington Lions Club 1947
