Local Lions Club Celebrates 75

Molokai Lion Club News Release

Seventy-five years is a long time to be consistently active within a community. The Molokai Lions Club has achieved this status! On March 14-16, the Molokai Lions Club will celebrate 75 year of continuing public service to the community of Molokai.

The club invites all past Lion members to come and join the present members for one or both evenings of fun and fellowship at Home Pumehana. Both nights start at 5:30 p.m. There is a $10 charge for Friday night and a $15 charge for Saturday night’s banquet luau. Please contact Lion Jackie at 553-5006 if you plan to come.

The club has experienced many changes over the years in terms of the number of volunteers it attracts. From its conception in March of 1939 with its original charter, the club has had as many as 54 members and as few as six. What began as a club for just men has evolved into a club of men and women working together. The club is best known for its events that attract children like the Halloween Costume Contest and the Easter Egg Hunt and Contest. Since 1999, the club has given two $500 Service Awards to two graduating seniors for their sustained commitment to public service during their high school career.

The Molokai Lions Club was known for its signature annual fundraiser of Christmas trees. Due to shipping costs, the club was forced to find another fundraiser on a small island that supports so many fundraisers. Today, our Walk for Sight raises money specifically for sight projects, and the fresh corn sale helps support other activities and events. All money donated to the Molokai Lions Club from the community stays on Molokai for the community!

Today, much emphasis is placed on the importance of health and the well-being of the body. The Molokai Lions Club is working with the elementary schools and preschools to insure that all public school students are screened for vision. This service is aided with the help of a team of Maui optometrists who also donate their time and expertise. Working with the Department of Health, the Molokai Lions Club can assure parents that their children will have proper eye care and glasses if necessary.

The Big Bus Vision Van is a new addition to Molokai and it will continue to serve the community as long as there is a need. Adult eye screening is an important tool for determining various health issues. Recycling of old eye glasses is an on-going project of the Molokai Lions Club. Drop boxes are located throughout the island. These glasses are cleaned by the Leo Club at Molokai High School and go on to distribution centers on the mainland.

If you have an interest in serving your community and being part of this special group of men and women, please contact the club’s president, Lion Mark Berfield 567-6713 or its membership chair, Lion Mike Jennings 553-4307.