Many famous people have been members of the Lions Club; Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, Larry Bird and Robert Clemente; to name a few. But the international service organization – which celebrates 100 years of service this year – also includes those in our own community and some have shared why they pride themselves on being part of the Lions, an organization which focuses on youth leadership, vision services, the environment and feeding the poor, among many other projects.

 

“I first joined a Lions Club (in Moundsville, WV) when I was 19 years old. I was impressed with what they were doing in the community,” said Robert Allen, a 30-year member of the Bridgeport club, who has held various offices."

 

Although he has been active in other service organizations, there’s something special about the Lions’ “go-do-it” attitude and camaraderie among members.

 

“Those who are able will dive in and get the job done,” Allen said. “We have great fellowship at club meetings. I’ve never attended a meeting that I did not enjoy.”

 

Craig Liebig, who currently serves as president of the Bridgeport club, said he joined the service organization because he wanted to do something “hands on” for his community other than just making a donation.

 

“This makes it more meaningful for me,” he said.

 

Robin Faris joined for a similar reason.

 

“I joined the Lions five years ago because somebody asked me to serve,” she said. “At that time, I could not think of a single part of my life that involved serving the community and I felt challenged to step up and actually do something – instead of just talking about it.”

The Bridgeport Lions Club provides eye glasses for low-income adults and hosts vision screenings for elementary school students. Members distribute American flags to first graders at Johnson and Simpson elementary schools and send Bridgeport High School students to HOBY and DECA Club leadership programs, Boys State and Girls State. Another project for BHS was the recent purchase of a defibralator for the athletic field.

 

“We also provide an educational gift to a local high school senior and collect canned foods and toiletry supplies for the Clarksburg Mission and Shepherd’s Corner,” said Faris, who serves as membership chair. “We help fund the backpack food program, cook and serve meals at the Mission and pick up trash on Route 131 to beautify our community.”

 

The Lions Club’s earliest beginnings date back to 1917 when a Chicago businessman, Melvin Jones, united a group of businessmen to become the Association of Lions Clubs; their focus to be on community service, rather than their own personal gain.

 

The club’s involvement with sight-related projects was actually inspired by Helen Keller, who challenged the group to become “knights of the blind.” The organization thereafter took on vision preservation and assistance as its primary focus.

 

Today, Faris said, Lions serve as “messengers of mercy” by showing up wherever and whenever there is a need of any kind.

The most recent example is the assistance offered by Lions Club International to West Virginia flood victims.

“Almost immediately, $10,000 was wired to the site to take care of practical pressing needs,” she said.

 

Faris echoes members’ remarks about the club camaraderie.

 

“We have lots of fun and fellowship and consider our bonds strong and meaningful,” she said.

 

The local club is in the planning stages of preparing a Centennial Celebration Legacy Gift to the community of Bridgeport.

“In the meantime, we need you to join us in celebrating our past by giving to those in need of a future,” Faris said. “We are building our legacy for future generations. Please consider being a part of us.”

 

Bridgeport resident and Wilsonburg Elementary School Principal Laura Dick became a Bridgeport Lion for that very reason.

 

“To me, it meant giving back to others and showing our youth – including my children – the value of community spirit, community service and compassion should be; hopefully, instilling the same in them.”

 

Those interested in joining forces with the Bridgeport Lions can contact Liebig at soptical@aol.com or Faris at robin.faris@bankerslife.com.