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The Lumby Lions Club was formed in September 1947 under the auspices of Bill McKenzie of the Vernon Lions Club. Though the club began operating in September, the official Charter Night was November 4, 1947. Club records show the following members to be official Charter members: John W. Bartlett, Henry J. Catt, John Dyck, Edward Gleave, Arthur Halleran, Rev. W.J. Harrison, R.E. Hill, John W. Lowes, H.G. McGinn, H.D. Millar, Arthur C. Packham, A.F. Paradis, E.R. Pierce, J.W. Reed, Harold J. Sigalet, Tom W. Swift, Henry Torrent, Wilfrid Treen, Charlie Shields, Jack Heighway, A. Murphy, Pat Duke, J.C. Genier, Ted Roland, George Fisher, Rev. L. Trainer. The clubs first executive was: President Rev. W.J. Harrison, Secretary/Treasurer Arthur Packham, First Vice Hedley Millar, Second Vice Tom Swift, Lion Tamer Jack Dyck, Tail Twister Tony Paradis, Directors Jack Bartlett and Ron Hill. During the first year the club struggled as to what direction it was to take. Finally it was decided that they would concentrate on putting their efforts towards the youth of the community. During these formative years, the club sponsored Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, a hobby shop for boys, a leather shop for girls, hockey teams and ball teams, a model airplane club and a radio club. From this modest start, the club then looked to the community to see what part it could play in it's future. During the next few years, the Lions worked raising money to construct and improve the swimming pool. Many hours were spent funning bingo's with the profits being turned over to the village to be used for the pool. The Lions influence was felt in many areas of the community over the years. They were instrumental in the starting of the Lumby Volunteer Fire Department, laying of the floor in the old community hall and making an installation of the first street signs in town. To this date, the Lions have and are still active in the health of the community and of it's citizens. Lions have paid for operations, purchased eye glasses, paid for hospital stays and organized blood drives. During their history, the members of the Lions, past and present have volunteered many thousands of hours of their time and labour to make our community a better place. In the nearly 50 years the club has been organized, it has raised and donated in excess of $175,000.00 in and around our community. |