THE DALLES — The Lions Clubs International represents around 1.4 million members worldwide, a small fraction of which reside in eastern Oregon. In November, the service organization will celebrate its centennial anniversary for its chapter in The Dalles.
The Dalles Lions Club (TDLC) focuses their efforts on humanitarian initiatives. Currently, their itinerary includes programs like vision screenings in regional schools, safety and traffic control for trick-or-treaters, bellringing for the Salvation Army, an annual Christmas tree pick-up, advocating diabetes awareness and more.
Lion Jennifer Zimmerlee, Public Relations Chair and recent Lion of the Year award recipient, joined the club since she’s not the “quiet retiring type.” She came to the group with plenty of ideas, which her new friends were happy to make a reality.
The Lions’ signature vision assistance mission was shaped in 1925, when Helen Keller challenged the group to integrate preventative care into their philanthropy. As for efforts specific to the area, TDLC has funded playground equipment in Sorosis Park, managed graffiti removal, donated to the Federal Street Project, provided scholarships, connected with local veterans, and are currently raising funds for the fire department. They also host their own Shop with a Hero event, which supports economically disadvantaged families with back-to-school shopping.
“We’re just kind of silent with a lot of our stuff. We don’t do it for the recognition. We do it because we care about the community. And although we do have some plaques around saying that we’ve done stuff, there’s so much in the town that we’ve done that nobody realizes that we are the ones that have done that,” Zimmerlee said.
The Dalles Lions Club often provide meals for local events.
Contributed photo.
“Because of our centennial, we decided to kind of step out from behind those shadows just a little bit and kind of toot our own horn. I’d just like to really remind people that we’re here and there we’re vital to the community.”
They have also been involved in international Lions efforts, including boots-on-the-ground disaster relief initiatives across the South Pacific and direct financial assistance to a woman requiring medical bill support in the Philippines.
At meetings, activities director Lion Timothy McGlothlin wears a red vest donned in various colorful pins, each acquired from a club-based achievement or from trading with other members at Lions Clubs conventions. Other uniform options include red polos or red tie-dyed t-shirts, amid the exceptions of one or two more casual Hawaiian button-ups.
“I think, besides serving the community, it’s a close-knit friendship that actually turns into family,” McGlothlin said. “And people feel like the motto is that when one falls, the rest of us will help pick them up. So, if one of our members is having struggles, whatever it is, we’re always there to support them. That’s the power of the Lions.”
“We live the motto: we serve. It’s not just something that is written on our shirts,” Zimmerlee agreed. “A lot of this stuff has been fundraised out of our own pockets. These are our members giving their money and their time in order to make these things successful.”
Zimmerlee said that one of the biggest hurdles the club is facing today is the lack of youth engagement and emphasizes the often-unacknowledged importance of service clubs in rural America.
“Obviously, we’re not the only service club in town or the only service club in town that does good work,” she said. “Whether it’s the Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary, Toastmasters. All these clubs bring something to the community, and we are all suffering from the same thing, and that’s lack of the young people wanting to join.”
Some members have been in the club for decades, one of whom has been a Lion for over 60 years. One of the biggest shifts these experienced members have noticed is the integration of women into the organization. It wasn’t until 1987 that women were finally allowed to hold membership in the Lions Clubs International, and now, TDLC is being led by one, President Lion Carolyn Layson.
TDLC meets every Tuesday at noon at Spooky’s Pizza and Restaurant and welcomes all guests to learn and observe.
On Oct. 10, they plan to host a family-friendly “decades” dance at the Granada Theater, playing tunes spanning generations.
“It’s pretty special, you know, to make it 100 years,” Zimmerlee said. “And we feel like we have a strong enough membership that we’ll be able to go for another 100 years in the future.”
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