Richmond Noon Lions

History of Our Club

The Richmond Noon Lions Club was organized June 7, 1924 and officially chartered on October 5, 1924. The 38 original members voted to meet every Wednesday at noon with a luncheon. The club met at a local restaurant until 1927 when it mmoved to the Leland Hotel. In 1972 the meeting was moved to Holdiay Inn and to Millers Cafeteria in 1992. In 1996, the club moved its meetings to MCL Cafeteria.

In 1938 the Club sponsored Fred Craft and his stand at the post office. Fred became a Lion and he and his faithful dog attendined every meeting. In 1939 Paul Mendenhall and Judge Brubaker attended the first International Convention in Pittsburgh. The next year 2 more delegates from the club attended in Havana Cuba.

The club hosted two state conventions, the first in 1940 and again in 1966.

The club has had three District Governors, Wilfred Bucher in 1957-1958, H.R. Smith in 1967-1968 and Jack Buckland in 2002-2003.

The first home show was held in 1953 in Clear Creek Park. After 5 years at the park, inclement weather caused the club to move the show to the Trueblood Fieldhouse on the campus of Earlham College. In 1983, the show as moved to the Kuhlman Youth Center at the Wayne County Fairgrounds.

In 1970, the Grapefruit Project was started and has been a real fundraiser.

The Richmond Lions Club has continued to grow through out the years in service to the community. Today the Club is very active and civic minded, proud of its heritage adn of membership in the club. It lives up to its motto - "We Serve".