In 1924 four men, Lawrence Hammer, Jack Helms,
Jerry Rucker and a Lions International organizer assembled at Hotel Bristol to formulate plans for
organizing a Lions Club in Bristol, VA-TN. As a result of this meeting, a group
of 24 men were signed up and received their Charter from Lions International on October 29, 1924. On
December 5, 1924, the Lions Club of Bristol, TN-VA held their Charter
Presentation Banquet at Everett's Cafe. The Bristol Host
Lions Club was affiliated with the Virginia State Lions and was
the 7th club formed in the state of Virginia.
The Bristol Host Lions Club has grown to become the largest Lions Club in Virginia with
over 120 Lions. The Club has had one member to serve as International Director,
Joseph "Uncle Joe" Lawson, and has had six Lions to serve as Past
District Governors. Bristol Host Lions organized and started the Bristol
Evening Lions, Goodson Lions Club, Damascus Lions Club and Kingsport Lions Club.