News Release

SYRACUSE — Like many other service organizations, Lions Clubs in the United States have experienced a decline in membership over the past decade. While the Syracuse Lions Club has held its own, even throughout the COVID pandemic, the average age of members has increased.

Recognizing the need for new members with new ideas and the energy to pursue them, the club is planning an open-invitation Guest Night with refreshments at 6:15 p.m. Monday, May 9, in the Kiwanis room of the Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N. Long Drive.

At 6:30 p.m. current members will present a short program that includes a brief history of Lions Clubs International and the Syracuse club, followed by snapshots of the Syracuse club’s activities and commitments, presented by individual Lions members. An open Q&A period will conclude the evening by 7:30 p.m.

“The motto ‘We Serve’ is something all members take seriously,” explained current President Doris Yoder. “It lies at the heart of everything we do, whether at the local, state, national or international level.

“It drives activities such as vision screening for Wawasee school district children, building Little Free Libraries for the community, donating funds to area organizations such as the food pantry, or helping to support wider institutions and initiatives such as Leader Dogs for the Blind or disaster relief.

“Serving our communities and neighbors, near and far, is more than a commitment; it’s also a source of great satisfaction and fellowship. Lions are diverse in our backgrounds and beliefs, yet we share a common desire to give back that unites us. And we have a good time doing that.”

The event’s chairperson, Marie Butler-Knight, also noted, “COVID taught us all the importance of being able to adapt and discover new ways of doing things. With this Guest Night, we want to throw the doors open to new Lions who will join us in service and inspire positive change, so our organization has not only a long history, but a long future as well.”