Lions Club reaches 100 years
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"When I moved out to Williamsport and was invited to join the Lions Club, there was no second guessing." shared Jim Stuchel, a Williamsport Lions Club member.
Williamsport Lions Club is celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. In 1923, a charter for the Williamsport Lions Club was granted by Lions Club International Foundation, formerly known as the Association of Lions Club. On November 1 of the same year, 60 members held a charter night for the first Lions Club in Central Pennsylvania, according to a release from the Williamsport Lions Club. The Williamsport Lions Club also helped to sponsor the establishment of charters in Lewisburg, Newberry, Renovo, South Williamsport and Loyalsock Township.
"The fact that the Williamsport Lions Club is turning 100 is a testament to what the club has been able to do." shared Frank Pellegrino. "The Williamsport Lions Club helped chartered a lot of the other Lions Clubs in the area. It also helped to do a lot of work in the community for the blind as well."
In the 100 years since the establishment of Williamsport Lions Club, members have participated in a substantial amount of community and humanitarian service in the area. The release from Williamsport Lions club mentions that one of the first things Williamsport Lions Club did was sponsor a concert series which eventually outgrew them becoming what is now the Community Concert Series.
From early on Williamsport Lions Club has done much to help the blind. In the beginning they would help by purchasing glasses, paying for medical aid and helping to entertain those in need. Williamsport Lions Club was able to join other Lions Clubs to pay off a large mortgage on the Blind Association building and purchased tools, supplies and equipment for the release from the Lions Club. The Lions Clubs then went on to build Lions Park which is now North Central Sight Services.
"The reason that I joined the Lions Club was because I have bad eyesight, even in childhood. When I was younger I broke my glasses. The coach was a Lion. We couldn't afford a new pair of glasses so the coach went to the Lions Club there and the Punxsutawney Lions Club got me a new pair of glasses. That was always something that stuck with me." shared Stuchel when asked how the Lions have impacted him.
Williamsport Lions Club has made regular contributions to Pennsylvania Lions Eye Research Foundation, Northeast Lions Eye Bank, Leader Dog for the Blind, Pennsylvania Lions Beacon Lodge for the Blind, Wills Eye Hospital, Pittsburgh Laser Center, Hershey Medical Vision and Research Center, Lions Hearing Research, Sponsored Blind Bowling, Camp Victory, Past District Governor (PDG) Art Girio 14-G Scholarship Fund, Lions Club International Foundation, Campaign Sight First and Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation the release listed.
Williamsport Lions Club also sponsors four $100.00 scholarships the release noted. Two scholarships are distributed at both Williamsport Area High School and St. John Neumann Regional Academy for community service. In 2008 Williamsport Lions Club sponsored the start of a Leo Club at St. John Neumann Regional Academy.
In the 100 years of the club's activity, members have been able to put over $1 million toward community needs in means of financial and labor contributions. Williamsport Lions Club has been able to obtain these funds with broom sales, candy sales, pancake brunches, softball tournaments, Journey for Sight, light bulb sales and raffles to name a few.
"We used to sell brooms from the back of pickup trucks. We would go down the streets of Williamsport with these Lions brooms. We made a small profit that was actually made in donations." shared while remembering some of his favorite fundraising experiences.
When asked the same question, Frank Pellegrino was excited to speak about the annual softball tournament that the club would host. "That was one of our bigger events. We had to work as a team to host a home run derby and softball tournament that was originally sponsored by Millers Light, but now Yuengling."
The work that the Williamsport Lions Club has been able to contribute to the community would be impossible if not for the members involved.
The women of the Williamsport Lions Club have played a large part in the club's ability to do what they do.
"The Lionesses go the extra mile," said Catherine Burns. "They do this for each other and the community. They have made meals for families who needed them and helped with fundraising."
The women of the Williamsport Lions Club are Dorothy Anderson, Deb Bernocco, Mary-Kay Gamble, Eddie Eiswerth and Catherine Burns.
Art Girio was a member of the Williamsport Lions Club for 43 years. In that time, he attended 19 state conventions and 5 international conventions. He held the positions of Past District Governor of PA-14-G from the years of 1987 to 1988, Chairman of the District 14-G Convention, Director and Vice President of the Lions of PA Foundation, Executive Director of the Lions of PA Foundation, Director of Camp Victory and Director of PA NE Lions Eye Bank. Girio also acted as secretary to two of the state conventions he attended, Girio "lived and breathed Lionism" according to the Lion Luminary. Girio was a recipient of the Melvin Jones Award with 5 diamonds which is one of the highest awards a member of the Lions Club could receive. Girio passed away on April 2, 2020, but left a legacy for the Williamsport Lions Club.
Frank Pellegrino, who is nephew to Art Girio, is described by Richard Girio as the "heart and soul" of the Williamsport Lions Club. Pellegrino is also a recipient of the Melvin Jones Award with 5 diamonds. He has contributed to many philanthropy projects in the area. Many of Pellegrino's fellow Lions Club members have been recognized for their work and accomplishments. "I like when we celebrate our members. Like when a Lions member gets Melvin Jones Award, PA Fellowship or Lions International Foundation Fellow. Or when someone goes above and beyond. It's really rewarding to celebrate their extra efforts." shared Pellegrino.
"During Covid we had to reassess and many of our members are seniors. We are just now regrouping and coming back together. We look forward to strengthening and starting up again." shared Pellegrino in response to the state of the Williamsport Lions Club today.
Williamsport Lions Club is looking for volunteers and more members so they can continue the work that they have started in the past 100 years. The club would like to recognize their members', of past and present, work in the community and contributions to those in need.