THE BROOKVILLE-TIMBERLAKE LIONS CLUB –

From the Virginia House of Delegates

069455256

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 530

Offered March 6, 2006 Commending the Brookville-Timberlake Lions Club on its 50th anniversary.

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Patrons-- Byron; Senator: Newman

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WHEREAS, the Brookville-Timberlake Lions Club was chartered on April 17, 1956, to serve less fortunate individuals in the community; and

WHEREAS, Lions Club International is the world's largest volunteer organization, with 1.35 million members worldwide; and

WHEREAS, throughout its history, the Brookville-Timberlake Lions Club has undertaken many fund-raising projects, including an annual horse show held from 1956 to 1971, and the annual White Cane drive, the proceeds of which have been used for eye examinations, eyeglasses, corneal transplants, and other worthy endeavors relating to sight and hearing; and

WHEREAS, since 1964 the Brookville-Timberlake Lions Club has sponsored the Reuben Mann Christmas Party for community children in need, supplying them with clothing and other gifts; and

WHEREAS, the Brookville-Timberlake Lions Club has generously donated life-saving equipment to the Brookville Rescue Squad and purchased sight screening equipment used to screen children's eyes at local elementary schools; and

WHEREAS, the Brookville-Timberlake Lions Club has sponsored many events and helped other organizations in its long history, fulfilling the organization's motto, "We Serve"; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Brookville-Timberlake Lions Club on its 50th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Brookville-Timberlake Lions Club as an expression of the General Assembly’s recognition of its many contributions to its community.

A legacy of service

That is the phrase that describes the Brookville-Timberlake Lions Club since its inception on March 22, 1956. The club was officially chartered on April 17, 1956, with the mission to fulfill its motto of “We Serve” to those less fortunate in the community. This mission has been well served over the past 50 years, providing a wide variety of activities for families and the community as well as raising money to support the needs of the growing and expanding service area.

Since its charter, the club has had 48 presidents leading the club. Each year, the Brookville-Timberlake Lions considers projects that will meet the needs of the community as well as providing a strong fundraising tool. Many of the records of the club were lost in a fire at the Moose Lodge, and so much of the history of projects completed was destroyed. This compilation of projects is incomplete, and the Lions welcome your additional memories.

From 1956 to 1971, one of the most successful projects by the Lions was the Horse Show held at Arthur’s Stables on Timberlake Drive. The club built stables for the horses, as well as supported a concession stand to serve hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks. Many families attended the show each year, enjoying the horses and festivities, food, fun and fellowship.

Bingo was next up as a strong fundraising project for the Lions. Brookville Ruritan Club was the location for Bingo from 1973 to 1981. George O’Brien from the Knights of Columbus worked with the club to show us the ropes on how to run Bingo games. The first profits were shared with the Ruritan Club, eventually all profits going to the Lions Club. This money was used to meet various community and individual/family needs in our service area.

Our main project is the White Cane Drive. Members gather outside retail areas in the Brookville community to sell white canes to passersby. Starting in the early 1970’s, the club has raised $2500 to $3000 each year from White Cane sales. These fund were then donated for eye exams, eyeglasses, the Eye Bank for cornea transplants, Leader Dog School trainees and the Hearing Foundation.

One of the most satisfying events sponsored by the Brookville-Timberlake Lions is the Annual Davis Ballowe Christmas Party for the children in the Evington area. Lion Davis Ballowe, charter member of the club, and Lion Charles Arnold started this event in 1964. Completely supported and produced by Lion members, the club receives the names, ages and clothing sizes of children in need in the community from Lion Helen Dudley, passes this information along to Lion Al Stroobants who provides a shirt, coat and pants for each child for the past 25 years. The Lions also buy gifts for the children to be distributed during an annual Christmas party. Since 1964, the Brookville-Timberlake Lions Club has made Christmas a special time for 1,547 children. This project is still an on-going service project of the club.

OTHER GIFTS GIVEN BY THE LIONS CLUB TO THE COMMUNITY INCLUDE:

A gift of the Jaws of Life to the Brookville Rescue Squad in addition to annual contributions;

The gift of two scholarships annually to deserving students at Brookville High School and Heritage High School;

Sponsorship of the Virginia State Symphony performance at Brookville High School in 1968;

Sponsorship of the Youth Football League and the Timberlake Lions team in the 1960’s. This team is still playing;

Sponsorship of Youth Basketball League and consistent and continuous work with Brookville school youth;

Support for Lion Bill Hadden to Leader Dog School. Bill became a spokesman for Leader Dog, traveling throughout the United States and Canada. The club was honored to have Bill as our representative;

Sponsored four Ladies Nights each year in the early years of the club;

Purchased a sight screener and worked with the Timberlake Young Women’s Club to screen children’s eyes at local elementary schools.

As you can see, the Brookville-Timberlake Lions have worked tirelessly over the past 50 years to improve the well being, sight, education and family spirit of the local community. Their spirit of service is held in the highest esteem by the community, by the children, by those with impaired hearing and sight, as well as educators and health professionals. The community extends its gratitude to the hard work, foresight and vision of this outstanding group of individuals.