Mt. Hood Lions Club Celebrates 75 Years

By Amber Ford, The Mountain Times

One of The Mt. Hood Villages most prolific and dedicated organizations celebrates its 75th birthday in May. The Mt. Hood Lions Club will host members past and present for a celebration of the years of service in the community. Housing the most members in the state of Oregon, The Mt. Hood Lions Club currently has 114 members, each dedicated to community service and outreach.

Mt. Hood Lions Club President Dave Anderson, explains that while members and their significant others will enjoy a night celebrating their club’s accomplishments and ongoing commitment to The Mt. Hood Villages, the true honor is being part of an organization that has withstood years of change, still managing to keep their mission of the betterment and support of the community. “The Mt. Hood Lions Club has provided the community with over 11,000 free immunization shots,” Anderson said. “In the Reading is Fundamental Program, they have provided Welches students with over 4500 free books. Each year we give three $500.00 scholarships to Sandy High graduates who graduated from Welches Grade School. The Christmas Dinner and Toy Drive provides toys to children of the community. Once or twice a year the Lions bring a Mobile Screening Unit to the area, testing for Glaucoma, vision, hearing, diabetes, and blood pressure. For the last two years, we have had a golf tournament to raise money for the local disaster relief fund,” Anderson added.

The magnitude of community deeds is great, and the current number of club members exceeds expectations, The Mt. Hood Lions Club’s beginning didn’t have the grand numbers it does now. Beginning in the spring of 1950, a small group of gentlemen began meeting in the hopes of forming a new service club within The Mt. Hood Villages. Eventually the group and their mission was recognized by other organizations, and the District Governor of District 36-O contacted them, asking if they would be interested in becoming a new Lions Club. After weighing the pros and cons of organizational fulfillment, then seeking sponsorship from an existing Oregon-based Lions Club, the original men made history by adding The Mt. Hood Lions Club to the official international organization.

With 75 years of community dedication under their belts, members (both past and present) will be recognized for their service to The Mt. Hood Villages. According to Anderson, members and their significant others can expect an evening of Mt. Hood Lions Club fellowship and appreciation at this 75th anniversary party. “We are having a dinner for club members only, including past presidents and their spouses, the District Governor, vice-governors and zone club presidents,” Anderson said. “We will be celebrating the club's history and the service we have provided to this community over the years, as well as recognizing some of our longest serving members,” Anderson added.

The Mt. Hood Lions Club continues to add value and commitment to The Mt. Hood Villages through many of their events and fundraisers. Upcoming events the club will host will be the Chuckwagon Breakfast and Car Show, July 4th-5th, Field Day, a festival for children which will include food and games on August 8th, and a motorcycle ride fundraiser in August with the Milwaukie Lions Club, which will include a ride from Milwaukie to Welches, date to be determined. For those interested in becoming a Mt. Hood Lion please visit mthoodlions.org.