Lions celebrate 50 years and $4 mill
On Tuesday, January 15, the Wimberley Lions Club will celebrate two big milestones in the club’s history. On that date in 1969, the local newspaper reported that a group of Wimberley men had formed a chapter of Lions Clubs International. Who could have predicted how that emerging organization would have such a profound effect on Wimberley citizens in ways that no one could have imagined?
Current Lions President, Richard Newsum, addressed that question, saying, “When the Wimberley Lions club was chartered 50 years ago, I doubt any of the original members could have foreseen what the club looks like today. Fifty years later, the club has evolved into the third largest in Texas. Our Market Days allow the club to fund grants, scholarships and youth exchange in excess of six figures each year.” Referring to the club’s present day service, he said, “Over these 50 years, the club has been blessed with a wide array of talented leaders who have given of their time, talent and treasure to make possible what we see today. While our four-million dollar contribution mark is remarkable unto itself, it does not include another aspect of the club in the form of health initiatives. Last year our club tested close to 2000 students as part of our Kids Sight Vision Testing. This program is a great tool to help identify vision issues at an early age. In 2019, we will continue that program but will also be adding another health testing program by teaming with the Medical Explorers from Texas State to conduct a diabetes screening. That event will take place at Brookshire Brothers on April 13th, starting at 8 a.m.”
Patrick Cox was Lions Club President in 1979. He noted “It’s an amazing achievement. Under the Lions motto of “We Serve,” we have contributed money and untold volunteer hours to education, public safety, civic improvements, local parks, the arts, our youth and to those who suffered losses from natural disasters.”
Michael Murphy, Lions Club President in 1998, proudly noted “The Wimberley Lions have been instrumental in such community projects as the Wimberley Community Center, the Wimberley EMS, the Wimberley Fire Department, the Wimberley Village Library, the Blue Hole Regional Park, the Jacob’s Well Natural Area and numerous other projects that are so important to the Wimberley community.”
Lee Gibson served as Lions Club President in 2006. She explained “None of these contributions would have been possible without Market Days. Market Days has grown considerably since we first moved to the present field in 1972. On the first Saturday of each month from March through December, the Wimberley Lions provide great shopping, food and drink, entertainment and opportunities to visit with friends and family. All the net proceeds from Market Days go to the donations the Lions provide to the many outstanding people, groups and services that we support. We are very proud to exceed the $4 million amount.”
The diversity of the Lions donations has assisted many Wimberley organizations. Just a few that should be noted are the Wimberley Players, the Starlight Symphony Orchestra, the EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens, the Wimberley Community Chorus, the Hill Country Community Band, Meals on Wheels, the Crisis Bread Basket, Wimberley Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center, and many others.
For information about becoming a Wimberley Lions Club member or volunteer, contact Membership Chair, Lion Tom Campbell, by email, [email protected] or phone, (214) 491-8414.