The Clearwater Lions are looking for new members, and they’re asking local businesses to help.
The Lions have been a big part of the community for many years, and visitors at the Heritage Days celebration have recognized their contribution Friday evening of the event, serving food and refreshments before, during and after the parade.
About six years ago the Lions formed the Clearwater Heritage Days Committee, a separate non-profit group dedicated to running the Heritage Days event.
Part of that group’s responsibility was organizing volunteers and seeking donations from businesses to help cover the cost of the celebration.
Clearwater Mayor Pete Edmonson, who is also Lions member, says businesses have been generous, donating amounts from $50 to $200, $300 and $500.
“Some businesses contributed $2,000 or $3,000,” he says.
This year, the Lions have decided to push its membership, and have decided to ask those businesses to have employees sign up instead of donating money.
The Lions have the ability to raise money through gambling to support the community. But finding new members has been difficult.
In a letter to business owners, the Lions say, “As time continues to roll on, especially over the last 10 years, our club membership has slowly declined. So here’s the trade - the Lions would like to fully fund the festival, and instead of asking businesses like yours for donations, we’d like you to join us as Lions Club Members. Or just as important, do the next best thing - sponsor your employee(s) as Lions Club members.”
Edmonson says even though paid membership isn’t critically low, active participation in the club is.
“A lot of the core group has been there for 25 years,” he says. “They’re always there at events. But now that they’re retiring and not putting in the amount of time they used to, they can show the rest of us what needs to be done.”
Edmonson says people often ask what a Lions member does and what type of commitment it involves.
The club raises thousands of dollars a year through charitable gambling, bar Bingo, meat raffles and by volunteering at events like Heritage Days and the Clearwater Rodeo.
The Lions donate to the food shelf, needy families, the fire department and auxiliary, and the city for things like playground equipment and library furniture. They also offer scholarships for graduating students.
Members volunteer at events and attend a meeting at 8 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Lions Pavilion. Annual dues are $60 per member and $80 per couple. But the first year is free for new members.
“The commitment is about 10 hours a year,” says Edmonson. “That isn’t a lot, but it has a huge impact.”
He says sometimes business owners feel it’s easier to write a check than to donate time. But those same funds can be used to sponsor an employee by paying their annual dues.
“Maybe a business owner has an employee looking for a volunteer project or someone who just wants to get more involved in the community,” says Edmonson. “Then we can continue to keep the Lions Club in the community and let folks know what we do. This is a fantastic spot for it.”
Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Lions, or just volunteering at an event, can contact Edmonson at 320-223-1519 or Lions Club president Jack Kuechle at 320-266-8854.
