The Wheeling Lions Club
History


The above picture appeared in the January 18, 1922 edition of the Wheeling NewsRegister.
In addition to the original Board of Directors, Melvin Jones is pictures at the bottom right.
The Wheeling Lions Club The Wheeling Lions Club, Inc., was chartered by Lions International on January 6, 1922, making it the second oldest Lions Club in Multiple District 29, State of West Virginia. The Charter Membership consisted of sixty five men from the city of  Wheeling, West Virginia and may be viewed by clicking HERE .  Charles H. Watkins, who was active in the formation of the Club, was selected as its first President.
    Since the organization of the Club, it has had on its roster many of the leading and outstanding citizens of the community.  It has been credited with many firsts in its charity organization.  Notably, it was the first in Lions International to collect old eyeglass frames and use their salvage value to purchase new glasses.  Later, this broadened to include the collection of any old gold or other precious metals for their salvage value.  This is still one of the active projects of the Club.
    The Lions Club of Wheeling was the first Service Club in the City of Wheeling to sponsor the manning of the Salvation Army Christmas Kettles and was instrumental in having this project spread to other clubs.  Over the years this Club has continued to maintain its leadership role in obtaining contributions for this worthy project.
    For many years the Club sponsored a West Virginia - Ohio All Star Basketball Game as its main fund raising project.  Unfortunately, this has been discontinued.  In its place and as the major project, the distribution of  Lions Sight Saving Seals was undertaken.  To this day the remnants of this project live on in our Sight Preservation Campaign, a direct mailing to the citizens of the City of  Wheeling and the County of Ohio, West Virginia, as our primary fund raising activity.  Through these projects, the Club has been able to continue its sight saving work as a result of the generous contributions received from the Sight Preservation Campaign.
    In 1969 the Wheeling Lions Club, at a time when the county was showing disrespect for law and order, sponsored a Testimonial Dinner in honor of the Law Enforcement officers of the city. This event has continued annually to this day and has been recognized by many International Associations for its unique character.
    In 1959, Multiple District 29 of the State of  West Virginia organized the West Virginia Lions Sight Conservation Foundation, Inc., which supplements the work in sight saving by financing large medical expenses beyond the capability of local Lions Clubs.  It can now be sail that no person in West Virginia should be denied medical care to save or improve sight because of financial inability to pay.  The Wheeling Lions Club and other Lions Clubs stand ready to make good on this statement.
    Wheeling Lions Club has been honored by having seven of its members chosen as District Governor of West Virginia, District 29-L.  These men are: James N. Hendrix, Gov. 1926-27; William H. Mader, Gov. 1934-35; Roy P. Herold, Gov. 1945-46; C.B. Montgomery, Gov. 1949-50; Fredric G. Weimer, Gov. 1957-58; Robert L. Jefferson, Gov. 1966-67 and William J. McCurdy, Gov. 1971-72.  In addition, the Club was singularly honored by having Roy P. Herold elected as a member of the Board of Directors of Lions International for the term 1947-49.
    The Club has had the privilege of sponsoring the formation and organization of Lions Clubs in Warwood, Elm Grove, Moundsville, Wellsburg, Follansbee, McMechen, Valley Grove and South Wheeling.
    Much of the success of the Club has been due to the interest and activity of its Presidents,.  All gave freely of their time and talents.  Many are still available and willing to give the benefit of their advice and experience. Click HERE to view a list of past Presidents. Lions Charities of  Wheeling, Incorporated     In 1939 it was brought to the attention of the Club members that if the Club was to continue to engage in projects where personal liability to the respective members of the Club might become involved, it would be advisable to incorporate.  As a result of the action of the Club at that time, application was made to the Secretary of State by five of the members of the local Club, and a charter issued creating the "Lions Charities of Wheeling, Inc."  The charter was issued on March 30, 1939.  The original incorporators being Charles B. Ahrens, Vincent E. Dailer, N.A. Snyder, Casper B. Lawrence and William V. Fisher, Jr.  Charles B. Ahrens was subsequently elected as the first President of the corporation.
    Originally, the corporation was set up for the propose of indemnification of the club members and was controlled by a separate Board of Directors.   The corporation obtained a club house on Big Wheeling Creek where club meetings, picnics and unique fund raising events were held, particularly during World War II.  Lion Al Wagner was the chief custodian of the property for many years and spent many hours of work in keeping it functional.  Later, the International Association assumed the responsibility for the indemnification of all clubs and the need for a separate corporation ceased to exist.  However, due to legal complications, the Charter and the name, "Lions Charities of Wheeling, Inc." still exist, but the funds are raised and disbursed under the authority of the Board of Directors of the Wheeling Lions Club.  The clubhouse was sold in the 1970s and the proceeds were deposited in an endowment account. The above written history of the Wheeling Lions Club comes from Wheeling Lions Constitution and By-laws handbook. Due credit is given to the committee members who in 1987 originally authored this work:  Lion Curtis Wayne, P.P., Chairman; Lion Fredrick Weimer, P.D.G.; Lion Archibald Hill, P.P. and Lion Fred Friebertshauser, P.P.