About LIONS
“WE SERVE”, the motto of The International Association of Lions Clubs, has been the motivational driving force for the Missoula Lions Club over many years of benevolence in the Missoula Community. Organized on December 4, 1928, and chartered on January 4, 1929, the Missoula Lions Club can point proudly to its continuing record of commitment and service to the Missoula Community, to the Multiple District, District 37-N, and Lions Clubs International.
All monies raised from Club projects are committed to charitable purposes. The annual Christmas tree sales, started by the late Harry Noel in 1944, has been, and still is, the most successful and largest fund raising project. Other noted projects over time have been: the building project of the Lions residence at 605 Evans which was raffled off in 1938; midget auto races in 1948; the Lions’ sponsored Treasure State Charity Horse Show from 1948 until the early sixties; broom sales; mint sales; the Lions’ concession trailer; an annual cherry sale; sponsoring the Ice Capade shows; and the Lions Share Banquet.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Club flourished with over 150 active members. This large membership gave rise to the chartering of four new clubs in the Missoula area. Other clubs were also sponsored in neighboring communities. They have given unselfishly of their time, talent, money and service to the community. Collectively, all of the Lions in the Missoula Downtown Club are bonded together as one to help those who are less fortunate, and to make the Missoula community a better place to live, work, and play.
Community Service
Sight conservation and related projects are heavily emphasized. Buying eye glasses for needy adults and children, help with eye operations, diabetes awareness, Leader Dogs For The Blind, used eyeglasses
collected and shipped to underdeveloped countries, and help for people with impaired vision, are all recipients of Lions’ support. At the same time, the Missoula Downtown Lions Club has supported youth groups, has bought needed equipment for both major hospitals, has provided money for drug awareness programs in schools, has purchased needed equipment for the Missoula Fire Department, and in general is the service club the community leans on for support.
More recently the club has purchased a few PlusOptix vision screening instruments to check children’s eyes for early signs of problems.
We continue to seek after ways to serve our community!
CLUB OFFICERS
President ……………………….. David Tyrell
1st Vice President ………… TBA
2nd Vice President………… Vacant
Secretary ………………………… Bob Phillips
Treasurer ………………………… Sue Olinger
Club Service Chair…………. David C Gray
Marketing……………………….. Mathew Goodrich
Membership…………………… Rick Darnell
Contact
Bob Phillips, Secretary
Missoula Lions Club
503 West View Drive, Missoula, MT 59803
Tel: (406) 531 2500
Email: rjphillips@garlington.com
Lions Pledge
I pledge allegiance to my country and to the cause of peace throughout the world. I believe in the principles of Lionism as set forth in the Lions Code of Ethics. I am proud to be a Lion dedicated to the service of others.
Weekly Meetings
Monday at noon (except Holidays)
Westside Lanes,
1615 Wyoming St
Missoula, MT 59801