“We Serve” Is Lions Club Motto

by Patricia Coulter

The motto of Lions Club International is “We Serve” and the members of the Ardmore Lions Club try to carry out that motto in our community. Lions are especially dedicated to serving the blind and visually impaired. This is a commitment made by Lions Club International after Helen Keller challenged members to become her “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness” during the 1925 convention in Cedar Point, OH.

The Ardmore Lions Club began when several men of the Ardmore area came together in 1953 to form a club to provide a structure to assist the needy of the community. The group included businessmen, farmers, store clerks, and civil servants from the four surrounding counties. They chose Lions because of the aim of service.

Ardmore Lions Club members collecting used eyeglasses to be recycled as part of the Lions Club’s sight conservation project are from left, Diane Fowler, John Pajak, Mike Magnusson and Joe Mark Douthit. (photo by Patricia Coulter)

Lions International is the largest service organization in the world, founded in 1917 and includes 1.4 million members in 45,000 Lions Clubs worldwide. Lions have done countless good all over the world for very needy individuals and communities.

The Ardmore Lions Club was chartered February 18, 1954 under the sponsorship of the Pulaski Lions Club. Charter members were Terry Bottom, W.V. Barnettt, Harold Coke, Fred J. Cornelison, Maxi Delap, Buford Holt, Robert B. Hargrove, Edgar Keith, Jr., Joe W. Magnusson, S.B. Mims, Forrest B. Reynolds, William Berman Reynolds, Lonnie L. Reynolds, Paul Reynolds, Sr., Paul Reynolds, Jr. Coy Robison, Leonard Smith, Cecil M. Smith, James A. Stammer, R.L. Turner, and Austin Whitt. The club’s first president was James A. Stammer.

One of the first projects for the local club was the sale of brooms and mops made by students at the Tennessee School for the Blind in Nashville. The Ardmore Lions still sell these items because they are a good value and provide employment for visually impaired individuals.

The first big fundraiser for the Ardmore Lions was a Walking Horse Show which was an annual event for 17 years. Other projects sponsored by the local club include Pancake Breakfasts, Paper Sales, Music Jamborees, Rodeos, Racking Horse Shows, and currently the Annual Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament.

Funds raised by the Lions help provide eye exams and glasses for people in the Ardmore area. Ardmore Lions have also participated in the funding of other Tennessee Lions sight-related projects including Tennessee Sight Service at Vanderbilt Hospital, The Tennessee School for the Blind, and Leader Dogs for the Blind. Past projects include BABES summer drug program, Christmas baskets for the needy, delegates to Boys and Girls State, and the annual sports banquet for high school athletes.

Lions members will have the opportunity for personal growth, a chance to hone leadership, communication and organizational skills. Friendships that will last a lifetime can be developed through Lions Club membership.

Current members of the Ardmore Lions Club are Jackie Case, Glen Coffman, Louise Coffman, Charlie Cothren, Joe Douthit, Ramona Flacy, Shara Flacy, Diane Fowler, Nick Holland, Billy Holt, Diane Howe, Bryan Hursman, Jim Ed Keith, Mike Magnusson, Jason Murph, Bill Norman, Mike Owens, John Pajak, Greg Reese, Lanny Rich, David Savoie and Steven Wight. Officers are President Mike Magnusson, Secretary Jim Ed Keith, and Treasurer Joe Douthit.

Anyone interested in participating in the Ardmore Lions Club should contact a member for membership information.