by Rachel Hunter
The Gouverneur Lions Club is holding its Annual Christmas Tree Fundraiser, starting Small Business Saturday (November 30). The sale is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 30-Dec. 1 and Dec.7-8 at Emerald Greens, 1485 US-11, Gouverneur. As in past years, the Gouverneur Lions Club will be offering free delivery. Pre-orders are available, call 315-771-1433. The Gouverneur Lions Club is a visible force for good, and all proceeds will benefit the local community.
Did you know? The Gouverneur Lions Club for over 85 years has worked to improve health and well-being, strengthen local communities. The club has a rich history of community service and helping to enrich the lives of local residents. King Lion Betsy Cummings, president of the Gouverneur Lions Club, has told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that the club’s main focus is on efforts to support the blind and visually impaired. The club also supports efforts to improve the environment, aid during natural disasters, and fight pediatric cancer and diabetes.
Did you know? The Gouverneur Lions Club was organized on October 31, 1935. It was the first group with international affiliations to be formed here. In fact, it was one of the first Lions Clubs that were established north of the rail line from Syracuse to Albany. On August 12, 1935, the first northern club was started at Tupper Lake. Canton and Massena followed, on October 21, 1935. Ten days later, the Gouverneur Lions Club completed its formation. Herbert A. Dye of Niagara Falls was the district governor in 1935, and his territory was the entire state of New York, including Long Island. One visit to each club was required during his one-year term. To ensure better roads for the district governor’s long trip from Niagara Falls, the formal charter presentation was postponed until May 15, 1936. Harold Murphy had been elected the first president at the organization meeting in October. Vice-presidents were the late Glen W. Severance, the late Roy D. Gibbs and Walter Clinch. Robert G. Cottrell was secretary-treasurer. The first club activity, back in 1935, was a school banquet for the school football team which played in the championship but didn’t win it. The Lions invitation was issued prior to that important game. The invitation stated that, “win, lose, or tie, we back you and want you as our guests.” Gold footballs were presented to each varsity player. Since Helen Keller challenged Lions to become “Knights of the Blind” in 1925, the Lions Club International has improved eye health and eye care for hundreds of millions of people around the world. Today, 80 percent of vision impairments are preventable or curable, so the service is more important than ever before. Lions and Leos screen vision, educate communities, build clinics and support the blind and visually impaired through assistive technology and vocational training programs. The Gouverneur Lions Club is just one of the 49,000 clubs who bring hands and hearts to the communities they serve in nearly every country on earth.
The Gouverneur Lions Club is excited to once again enrich the lives of the community with the 2024 Christmas Tree fundraiser. The fragrant scent of the evergreen trees triggers holiday memories past and present. Don’t miss the opportunity to “shop local, support local” and get your hands on a Christmas tree… or more! Call 315-771-1433 for more information.
The Gouverneur Lions Club is always accepting new members. For more information, call 315-771-1310.