Winter Garden Lions celebrate 70 years of service to community

The first Lions Club was started in 1917 to promote service to others, but the purpose was more clearly defined in 1925 when 45-year-old Helen Keller addressed the Lions Clubs International Foundation Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio. Blind and deaf since she was 18 months old, Keller appealed to the Lions to become knights of the blind in her crusade against darkness. So they did.

The Winter Garden Lions Club was established in 1946 and has been dedicated to serving others and improving the quality of life for the disadvantaged. The local chapter concentrates on three issues: eyesight, hearing and diabetes.

Through Project Right to Sight, members collect used prescription eyeglasses, lenses, reading glasses, sunglasses and cases, which are stored in a warehouse in Ocoee. Once they are cleaned, they are given to needy adults in Central Florida and to Feed the Children, which provides glasses in third-world countries.

“I always love the story of one of our mission trips (carrying) glasses to Africa, I believe, and they passed out glasses to people and people lined up for days to get medical help for glasses,” Lion Nancy Wiggins said. “They told of this one woman who said she couldn’t thread a needle. Now, a lot of the glasses that are sent out are through missionaries.”

Former President Jimmy Carter, a Lion, led the charge to raise money to eradicate diseases that cause blindness all around the world, to much success.

The Winter Garden club promotes diabetes health by conducting screenings at various community events, and a hearing board meets regularly to review requests for hearing aids, as well.

Donning their gold and purple vests, the Lions are a visible presence at community events. They are probably best known for their annual Easter egg hunt at Newton Park, where they hide thousands of plastic eggs stuffed with candy.

For years, the organization has participated in Adopt-a-Precinct, and members volunteer at the polling location at Tanner Hall. And three times a year, the club packs boxes and distributes food during the holidays with Bread of Life Ministries, in Ocoee.

“I’m really proud to be a Lion,” Wiggins said. “I’m really proud of what they do. I think it fits a niche. … it’s a good thing.”

Among those who have spent decades in service are Dal Duppenthaler, who has been a Lion for 64 years, and George Bekemeyer, a member for 61.

One member, Nancy Bekemeyer Walker, has been involved with the Winter Garden Lions her entire life, starting with accompanying her parents to the meetings when she was a child. Now, she and her husband, Jason, are active, and their two sons are involved, as well.

The Winter Garden Lions Club meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Orange Tree Mobile Home Park in Winter Garden. For information on joining the Lions, contact president Raymond Grimes at (407) 656-8911 or [email protected].

Lions: Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nations’ Safety.

LIONS 70TH CELEBRATION

The club is holding its 70th anniversary event from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, at the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation’s Heller Hall, 23 E. Plant St. All Lion alumni are invited to attend and take a walk through the club’s history. Winter Garden Mayor John Rees will present a proclamation, and there will be hors d’oeuvres.

To RSVP or provide updated member contact information, contact secretary Linda Lucero at (407) 341-1695 or [email protected]. For information about the club, contact president Raymond Grimes at (407) 656-8911 or [email protected].

Contact Amy Quesinberry Rhode at [email protected].