The Lions are back in Clarkston.
About 100 people, including 33 charter members from Clarkston and Lions from other communities, gathered at Liberty Golf and Banquet to celebrate the official recognition of the local chapter.
Recruiting began in September 2004, when members of the Ortonville Lions sought out Clarkston residents interested in participating in the international organization whose motto is, ‘We Serve.?
With the help of ‘guiding Lions,? the Clarkston group launched their service even before their charter was granted. In December 2004, the Clarkston Lions organized a ‘basket of care? for a needy local family. Because the club was so new, there was no time for fundraising so the Lions donated all the funds themselves to purchase food and presents.
In the days immediately following the charter presentation, the new Lions took to the streets for the annual White Cane Week fund-raising drive.
Charter Night, however, was reserved for celebration. The evening included speeches, presentations and the happy yet serious ceremony in which the new Lions signed the official charter.
Brace Case, charter president of the new club, said the Clarkston area has both the talent and the spirit to be an active service organization.
‘We really have a vibrant group,? Case said. ‘We’ve got a lot of professional people. They’re used to grabbing something and running with it.?
Mike Mercier, first vice president, is a former Lion who moved to Clarkston last August.
‘I was excited when I saw that the Lions Club was organizing,? Mercier said. ‘I knew what good works they do, and I was shocked that Clarkston, as dynamic an area as it is, did not have a club.?
The Clarkston area did have a Lions Club as late as the 1970s, but it disbanded. More than one lauded the resurrection of the local group.
Independence Township Supervisor Dave Wagner said the community is fortunate to have several great service groups, but he said the Lions will fill a gap.
‘I feel right now finally our community is whole again, because you guys are back,? Wagner said.
The keynote address came from Larry Young, a past international director who credited Clarkston residents for the ‘courage and insight? to form a new Lions Club.
Young referred to several points in the history of the organization and the ‘bridges? it has built. He noted the move to make women equal members of the organization (the first major service club to do so), the move of Lions from Detroit in organizing the first Canadian Lions Club and the movement of the organization into 193 countries.
‘Every day, Lions across the world are building bridges for others to cross over into a better life,? Young said.
Young presented Case with a Lions ‘International Friendship Banner? as a token of the worldwide tie among local Lions Clubs.
Mercier proudly reported that Lions Clubs were already active in areas affected by the Asian tsunami earlier this year and that the Lions ranked above even the American Red Cross in the amount of donated money going directly to relief efforts.
‘The wonderful thing about the Lions is that every cent we take in goes back to the community,? Mercier said. The Clarkston Area Lions Club is already working with local schools with charity requests for eyeglasses, part of the Lions Club priority service activity.
Among the beneficiaries of Lions? service is Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester, the Michigan Eye Bank, Welcome Homes for the Blind, Lions Bear Lake Camp (for visually impaired youth) and the Penrickton Center for Blind Children in Taylor. The Lions also donated to several programs for the hearing impaired.
After receiving a ceremonial bell and two ceremonial gavels from other Lions groups, Case unveiled the new Clarkston Area Lions Club banner and announced the club’s readiness to add to the international group’s legacy.
‘We’re eager to begin our humanitarian service to our local and world community,? Case said.
The group meets every other Thursday night at Mesquite Creek (corner of I-75 and M-15) from 7:30-8:30 p.m. (social hour begins at 6:30 p.m.). For more information, contact Member Chairman Bob Jamison at 248-625-5493.