Overview and History of the Windsor Lions Club
Founded in 1975, the Windsor Lions Club is celebrating its 38th year of service to the local community. As part of Lions Clubs International with more than 1.3 million members in over 46,000 clubs worldwide, these volunteer organizations serve the needs of people all over the world.
One of the club’s first ideas was to have an event for children. Now in its 32nd year, the annual Halloween Costume Parade and Barbecue is an event recognized throughout the community, bringing joy to hundreds of children and their families.
In 1977, the Windsor Lions obtained a $94,000 federal grant to purchase land and construct the first park in this region, Keiser Park. Years later, the club donated $30,000 for the addition of a BMX track in the southwest corner of the park, used many years for recreation and races.
In 1990, the idea of a center to serve the needs of the community developed into a plan for the Windsor Community Center. The Windsor Lions Club was instrumental in the planning and construction of this center, and raised thousands of dollars for its development. Its completion in 1995 was a dream come true.
Lions International has many programs to enhance the lives of individuals. We support these programs by assisting local citizens in obtaining eye care and glasses and helping people with hearing disabilities. White Cane Day supports the blind through donations from the public. Through our Recycle for Sight program, we collect used eye glasses for refurbishing and distribution to the needy in undeveloped countries. Our financial contributions helped develop the Earle Baum Center for the Blind in Santa Rosa, a regional recreational and educational campus for the blind and visually impaired.
With emphasis on youth, we support many local youth activities. Soon after the Boys and Girls Club in Windsor opened in 1997, we donated a large screen TV and video and continue to support the club on an on-going basis. Flag Appreciation Day enhances the awareness of loyalty to our nation. On that day, we distribute American flags to the 3rd grade children in Windsor Schools. Each year, with the Windsor Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, and Knights of Columbus, we give each 3rd grade student in Windsor a children’s dictionary. Opportunities for development of talents and expression of ideas are enhanced through our annual Student Speaker Contest and International Peace Poster contest. We support the Windsor High School by contributing to their culinary Arts Department, to the Windsor Educational Foundation, and offering annual scholarships to graduating seniors.
Through such activities as our pancake breakfast at the Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic, our annual Crab and Shrimp Feed, St. Patrick’s Day dinner, Oktoberfest, and beer and wine concessions at the Windsor Summer Nights on the Green, we raise funds to support these activities.
Our 7:00 p.m. dinner meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Thursday evenings at the Windsor Community Center. We welcome visitors. For more information and an opportunity to learn more about the Windsor Lions, please contact us at 707-838-4531
7/21/13
