New Lions Club president named

July 1 began a new fiscal year for the Wimberley Lions Club, and they are not looking back. In comparison to the last year, this 2021 – 2022 term offers hope of more opportunities to serve the local community in a more traditional fashion. The club members are grateful that March 2021 saw Lions Field operational once again, and it has been fully open since July.

As part of the new year, a new president was sworn in.

“I joined the Wimberley Lions Club in April of 2017,” new Lions Club President Cade Wright said. “Lions Club has been a tradition in my family for a while. Both my father and grandfather were also Lions Club Members. My mom went on a Lions Club Youth Exchange Trip to Sweden as a high school student in Littlefield, Texas, back in 1969. She says it was transformative.”

Outlining his club involvement, he said, “I was a director before becoming a vice-president, and I was a vendor Ambassador for two years. Those positions allowed me to get a good understanding of Market Day’s operations.” Besides presiding as “Lion Boss” at meetings, Wright volunteers at the monthly markets. “I work at a concession stand window and sell hotdogs and drinks to shoppers,” he said.

Expressing his hopes for his single term, Wright said, “This year will be a rebuilding year. That is my primary goal, rebuilding.” As in past years, the Lions’ organization has represented a second, just as important side of what community means apart from service. Wright explained, “Now that we can meet safely, the Wimberley Lions will be meeting monthly for fellowship and camaraderie.”

He continued, “Another goal I have relates to Lee Gibson, a long-time Lion, and matriarch of our group. Unfortunately, she passed away last year. Lee always wanted to have a Lions Appreciation Day. Her vision was for us to have food, fellowship, music and drink to show appreciation for all the work we do for our community. I’d like to make that happen for her.”

Wright added, “Most importantly, I’d like to increase our positive community impact by coordinating with other nonprofits in Wimberley. I feel like we can do more good deeds if we work together to find those in need of our aid. I imagine it being a type of informal ‘nonprofit alliance,’ maybe getting together for breakfast once a month to check in and coordinate with one another. It’s been said that Wimberley is run by volunteers. I think that’s true and a large part of what makes this such a unique, welcoming community and a great place to call home.”

“I’m personally honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as Lions Club president.,” said Wright, adding, “We need more Lions. Over the years, the Wimberley Lions Club has given away more than four-million dollars to local nonprofits and scholarships to local children, and we have fun doing it. So I’d ask any community-minded, service-oriented person who’s interested in being of service, and meeting like-minded people, to reach out to me personally. I’ll happily tell them about what we do and how we do it.”

The Wimberley Lions Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month, 6:00 p.m., at the Wimberley Community Center. Follow on Facebook, Wimberley Market Days-Lions, or visit their website, wimberleymarketday.com.