The Clearwater Lions held a celebration last Saturday to mark 100 years of service from Lions International, which was founded in 1917 by Chicago resident Melvin Jones. The organization is the world’s largest association of service clubs.

 

Along with free food and beverages, a table was set up highlighting services performed by the Clearwater Lions Club over the years. The display featured photo albums, scrapbooks, plaques and certificates from numerous organizations, including Clearwater Heritage Days, Silver Bullet Saddle Club Clearwater Rodeo, Veterans on the Lake Resort, Boy Scouts and the Clear Lake Lakers.

 

Clearwater started their Lions Club in November 1978; it was chartered in January 1979 with 27 members. Kevin Peipkorn was elected the first president.

 

The mission of the club is to improve the quality of life in Clearwater by supporting community activities and organizations, which ties in with the Lions International motto of “We Serve.” 

 

The Clearwater Lions have followed their mission of serving since the beginning, starting with their first fundraiser, a corn and brat feed, in August 1980.

 

In 1989 the organization built a park and pavilion on city property off of Co. Rd. 75, presenting the building’s key and deed to the city during the dedication ceremony. 

 

Along with the pavilion, the park offers playground equipment, a volleyball area, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, basketball court and a winter skating rink. A new playground system was installed in 2015.

 

The Lions lease the park pavilion from the city, paying for its maintenance through their pull tab gambling funds. In 1996, they set up an endowment trust in the event those funds were no longer available. 

 

The money raised by the club is used to finance needy individuals and families, scholarships, civic groups and events. 

 

In 1988 the organization began working with Camp Friendship, donating time and money for a variety of needs, such as serving ice cream to the campers during the summer, grilling steaks at the camp’s annual steak fry and working on many of its buildings.

 

“Our main project at Camp Friendship is their arts and crafts building,” said Clearwater Lions president Jack Keuchle. “We repair it yearly and have completely remodeled it over the years, including the kitchen and bathroom around six years ago.”

 

Ed Strachke, president and CEO of True Friends, stressed that the organization is very grateful for their support.

 

“Whenever there was a need they [Clearwater Lions] would step up,” he said. “They’re really committed both from a dollar standpoint and with volunteering. It’s very appreciated, which I hope they realize.”

 

Recent examples of the club’s generosity include a new defibrillator and other needed equipment for the Clearwater Fire and Rescue Squad, and a metal bench along the Mississippi River between the city’s old ferry landings.

 

The Clearwater Lions are always looking for new members to join them in helping the community. If interested, meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m. at the Lions Pavilion. For more information visit www.clearwaterlionsmn.org.