Chippawa Lions Club (1941 - 2008) has long legacy of service

The Chippawa Lions club has a rich history of serving citizens of Chippawa (Niagara Falls) and
around the world. Established 67 years ago, the Chippawa Lions club is a local chapter of an inter national organization which currently has 1.35 million members in more than 197 countries.
While the Lions Club participates in a variety of service projects, its main focus is eyesight preservation and the elimination of blindness worldwide. The club collects used eyeglasses for low-income individuals, locally and in third world countries in need of corrective lenses. It also raises funds and makes a variety of donations to Lions Club International and organizations assisting in blindness elimination efforts.

The Chippawa Lions Club has a substantial legacy of community service. According to the
"Niagara Falls Review" which was published in ), the Lions were very active in
since their inception in 1941 helping needy families during their time of need and working with organizations that assisted those in need. Early members paid for Variety of local projects one of which was the establishment of the Chippawa Lions Park. There are many more to numerous to mention.

Charter members of the club, which was founded in August of 1941, were L.L Berger,
Harry Bragg, George Bukator, J.F. Cartier, W.J. Davidson, Hardy Gerber,C.A. Herber
D.G. Herbold, L.A. Hurst, G.A.M. Kaumeyer, J.Sheldon Kaumeyer, J.R. Ovens, Robert Philips, W.Angus PhilipsE.T. Weightman, W.G. Evans, A.C. Huggins, M. Misener, A. Perry, J.M. Rapelje, G. Sainovich, P.M. Shisler, E.A. Bradley, E.A. Dean, Rev. A. Newton-Smith, J.H. Wilson, M. H. Thompson and L.G. Tufts.

Today, the club's legacy of community service continues. The club still holds fundraisers to
assist in local charity efforts. It sponsors Westlane S.S. Scholarships for high school students.
In addition, the club has sponsored students to Effective Speaking Contests as well as sponsoring student to attend various Lions Sponsored Camps such as Camp Dorset (Dialysis Camp), Camp Lake St. Joseph (Camp--for the Blind). The Chippawa Lions Club is also an avid supporter of Lions Quest. Lions-Quest is a schools-based life-skills program for children from kindergarten to the 12th grade.

The Lion's Club motto is " we serve." This phrase was coined by the Fonthill Lions Club another active local Lions Club. Clearly, the club takes its motto to heart, encouraging its members to be service-minded people who are willing to help others without personal gain. Some of the club's objectives include promoting the principles of good government and citizenship, taking an active interest in the welfare of the community, providing an open forum for discussion of matters of public interest and, of course, community service.

"It's good to be involved in the community," said Rex Smith, past president of the
club. "It's good to help others who are less fortunate or might have problems like poor eyesight."

In addition to community service, fellowship is an important part of the Lions Club. Its members
gather twice a month on the second and fourth Wednesday at the Chippawa Lions Hall which is located at 3970 Welland Ave