Ferguson Lions Club History

In 1930, twenty six business men from Ferguson recognized the need for an organization that would focus on Civic Progress and Community Service. The efforts of these intrepid business men culminated in the Ferguson Lions Club being chartered on October 20, 1930. They were sponsored by the Webster Groves Club.

Over the broad expanse of 75 years the Ferguson Lions Club has used a variety of fund-raising activities pay for the myriad of service projects they have undertaken.

First, an annual Carnival was initiated in July 1932 and over the course of ten years they raised over $64,000 for civic endeavors. These funds permitted the Lions Club to undertake some significant projects for the City of Ferguson.

In 1942 the Lions Club played a central role in the organization of a Public Library in Ferguson. They agreed to provide $1500. for the purchase of books. They over subscribed this request by actually donating $5000. The Club continued to support the Library with funds for rent and other operational needs until it became a tax-supported entity.

Additionally in1942, the Ferguson Lions Club played a seminal role in the drive to get the Wabash Railroad to sell their privately owned Wabash Club Park to the City. Several members of the Ferguson Lions and others were successful in their efforts and the Railroad agreed to sell the Park to the city. At the request of the Railroad, the Park became known as the January- Wabash Park. In addition, these members were prominent in organizing a campaign to pass a $155,000 bond issue to help finance the Park and to build a swimming pool. The Club donated an additional $18,000 to help finance the new Park. And followed this up with an additional $10,000 to build a stage, a band shell and lights in the Park.

In 1943 the Lions Minstrel Show Committee was organized to provide another fund-raising activity and an opportunity for fellowship. From this beginning the theater productions evolved into Musical Comedy Shows which continued until 1991. Because of the intensity of effort needed the shows became the glue that held Ferguson Lions together.

A scholarship program was initiated in 1948 and became an important component of our philanthropic efforts. (The scholarship program continues today with 8 active scholarships in various stages of completion.)

For many years the Ferguson Lions were a rather itinerant group moving from one restaurant to another to hold their meetings. In 1994 the club decided to build a meeting hall on property owned by the Club at 49 Clark Street in Ferguson. The new building was to be an addition to a storage building that was constructed in 1984. The new addition was built using plans drawn by a member. With exception of the framing of the building, and the walls, the building was completed with voluntary labor from the Ferguson Lions. This included the electrical and mechanical systems as well as all interior finish. The building was dedicated on June 27,1998. It provides a superb meeting hall, not only for the Lions, but the entire community as well.

In 1987 the Club was searching for an additional fund raising source. The advent of legalized bingo games provided an obvious possibility. The first bingo game sponsored by the Ferguson Lions was held January 14,1988. For the next eleven years the Club held bingo games at several sites. The impact on the Club's budget was significant. It provided up to $40,000 per year during its peak years. The advent of gambling boats siphoned off many serious bingo players and our income dwindled. The bingo games were halted in July 1999.

Almost magically in 2000 another funding possibility came into focus. The local License Office was closed by the Missouri Department of Revenue. The Ferguson Lions Club waged a vigorous campaign to be assigned the commission to operate the Ferguson License Office. Following a lot of hard work by a small cadre of Lions, the Club was granted a commission to operate the office in the middle of March 2000. Using the skill and energy of their own members, the Club renovated a severely debilitated office at 21 S. Florissant Rd. And the office opened for business June 22, 2000. The License Office became profitable after six months of operation. It has been profitable since that time. To better serve our clients, the Office was moved to newly renovated quarters at 728 S. Florissant Rd. in early September 2005. The impact of the License Office income on the Charitable efforts of our Club has been dramatic. In the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2005, our overall charitable budget was nearly $63.000.

The Club currently is able to support a wide array of programs. As previously mentioned, one of our longest running programs is providing 2-four year scholarships each year. Our largest financial commitment is in the area of dealing with sight problems. We provide eye glasses to up to 100 school children each year. And our Lazy Eye screening program served 1543 children in the 2004-2005 fiscal year. A new hearing screening program was undertaken this past year. It was innovative, in that the screens were carried out in libraries throughout the metropolitan area. Ferguson is the only club offering hearing screening using the paradigm described here. Over 600 screens were carried out this past year. We have other programs ranging from support for food pantries, the School for the Blind, a disabled bowling league, youth activities in high schools, and many other equally deserving programs. And within the Lions Club Organization we generously support: LCIF, Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation, The Leader Dog Program and the World Service for the Blind.

In its 75th year of existence, the Ferguson Lions are a thriving enterprise and one of the larger clubs in District 26A2. Some characteristics of the club are as follows:
* It has a deep commitment for direct service to individuals and the community.
* A service organization with a high profile in the community by providing an essential service through our License Office
* Countering a trend to the contrary we have had a slow but steady influx of new members.
* Our growth, in part, was due to the decision to change our By-Laws to facilitate the
acceptance of women as members.
* A lady member was elected President in year 2004-2005
* 26 members have been designated as Melvin Jones Fellows

Despite a climate of change in which community boundaries become blurred and membership in service clubs diminished because of a wide assortment of competing activities, we remain relevant, have thrived, and continue to provide vital services to the less fortunate in our community.