Towanda Lions Club Submitted by Roy Redding, 2006 The Lions Club of Towanda, Illinois was chartered March 1, 1975 with 18 members. More than 200 Lions Club members from Illinois attended the chartering ceremony at Illinois State University. This is one of more than 46,000 clubs in 193 countries. Affiliated with Lions Clubs International, their motto is "We Serve." The Mission Statement is To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing services through community involvement and international cooperation. This is a not-for-profit service organization providing financial and physical assistance to people and organizations in the Towanda community. Membership requires a small time investment and gives a great deal of satisfaction from helping others. Known as the organization that assists the blind persons of the world through recycling of eyeglasses, they also collect used hearing aids, keys, and aluminum pop tops. Meetings have been held at the American Legion Building in Towanda,, Shoemaker's Cafe in Towanda, and various restaurants in Bloomington-Normal. Most meetings are now held at the Community Building in Towanda. A rotation of four committees provides a meal and arranges for a program at meetings held the second Thursday of every month. Officers consist of a President, 1st Vice President, 2ncI Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Tail Twister. The Tail Twister is the omnipotent disciplinarian charged with keeping a reasonable degree of decorum during meetings. Members give something to the Towanda community through several activities: Annual Ham & Bean Dinner Financial assistance for eye exams and eyeglasses Financial support and labor to Towanda District Library Financial support and labor to Historic Route 66: A Geographic Journey Financial support to TLNO organization for holiday food baskets Highway Litter Control Program Illinois Lions Candy Day Labor to Habitat For Humanity Serving snocones at Easter Seals Camp at Lake Bloomington Serving snocones at Camp Lions at Lake Bloomington Serving snocones at Towanda Elementary School's Play Day Serving snocones at Towanda 4th of July Flea Market Sponsor a $500 scholarship to a college student with a Towanda address Sponsor Annual Easter Egg Hunt Presidents of the club have been: 1975-1976 George Forbes Page 1 of 2
1976-1977 Steve Shipley 1977-1978 Dale Messer 1978-1979 Phil Reimer 1979-1980 Nolan Campbell 1980-1981 Mike Thorns 1981-1982 Jerry Bersche 1982-1983 Denny Redick 1983-1984 Roy Redding 1984-1985 Steve Liebenow 1885-1986 Phil Josephson 1986-1987 Mike Potts 1987-1988 Roy Redding 1988-1989 Denny Redick 1989-1990 Steve Shipley 1990-1991 Phil Josephson 1991-1992 Mike Potts 1992-1993 Mike Potts 1993-1994 Dale Moehring / Mike Potts 1994-1995 Rick Myers 1995-1996 Dennis Ambuehi 1996-1997 Mike Thomas 1997-1998 Bob Hancock 1998-1999 Mike Orrick 1999-2000 Ralph Gibson 2000-2001 Steve Shipley 2001-2002 Phil Josephson 2002-2003 Patrick Hampton 2003-2004 Sam Foster 2004-2005 Louie Blank 2005-2006 Maurice Jones 2006-2007 Stan Bauer
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