In 1917, Chicago businessman Melvin Jones brought together fellow businessmen and clubs from across the nation, creating the Association of Lions Clubs, according to their history on www.lionsclubs.org. Prompted in part due to societal problems created during World War I, Jones desired to discuss unmet and growing societal needs with the intention of founding a new club designed to best meet those needs through humanitarian service. Within three years, Lions clubs formed in twenty-three states. During its fourth year, in 1921, the Bristow Noonday Lions was founded, making it one of the oldest clubs in the state and nation to date; although, they now call themselves the Bristow Noon Lions.
According to the December 1, 1921, issue of the Bristow Record and the Bristow Enterprise, twenty-five local professionals and businessmen chartered Bristow’s Noonday Lions Club in November 1921, adopting the motto “We Serve” and slogan “Liberty-Intelligence, Our Nation’s Safety,” which resulted in the club’s name “LIONS” as an acronym. That article comically states, “Only 100 Per Cent Americans Can Get in and Then Only on Invitation of Members Who Recognize Fitness of Prospects” before describing the club as following membership guidelines similar to that of Rotary and other clubs. Thankfully, members of today’s Noon Lions need not be so restricted. In fact, even women are now allowed to join!
The late November inaugural meeting of the Noonday Lions was held at Bristow High School. During that meeting, charter members elected officers: C.E. Hutton as president, George Henderson as first vice president, C.J. Castlebury as second vice president, and Leon Brower as secretarytreasurer. Lions member G.M. Cunningham of Houston, Texas, attended the founding meeting for purposes of “perfecting the organization.”
Within two weeks of founding, the Noonday Lions created their first charitable event in cooperation with local schoolchildren: a used clothing and toy drive. The club asked residents to donate old clothing and toys, placing them on their porches for collection by schoolchildren. Club members disseminated all collected items to the poor on Christmas Day. Today, Noon Lions serves in many ways but is perhaps best known for its dedication to improving sight, especially for children.
The Lions’ mission to improve eyesight harkens back to 1925. That year, Helen Keller addressed the Lions at their international convention, challenging them to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” Few could justly argue that the Lions failed to rise to the challenge of sight conservation. In fact, the Bristow Noon Lions partnered with the Jones Foundation recently to purchase a $7,000 camera designed to simplify and quicken screening children as young as infants. Now, each child can be reliably screened within seconds, affording as many as one-hundred students to be screened in an hour. Results are printed immediately and sent home with students. The Lions both screen children and provide lenses for those in need.
Longtime members David Barnett and Marland Armitage, of 47- and 50-years membership respectively, reflect on their service with the Lions and encourage anyone interested in serving community, the conservation of eyesight, and meeting needs in a selfless manner to attend a meeting. Barnett said, “It’s rewarding being a part of a service club that helps people— through screenings and glasses—regain their sight. … If we can help one kid per year, it’s a really worthwhile cause. Getting youngsters headed in the right direction, it’s everything. We need people to serve with us to beat blindness.” Armitage further explained, “I’ve been involved in civic work all my working years. I started when I was a kid. It’s very satisfying to be able to help others, and that’s what Lions do through our projects. We raise money through our pancake breakfasts and invest it back in the community. We give scholarships to high school students, buy glasses for kids in need, and help buy items for social services like their food baskets for families. That’s what Lions is all about, giving back to the community. The reward is the self-satisfaction in giving of yourself to help those that are less fortunate. We’d like to have people who want to serve join us.”
The club held a meet-and-greet at the Halloween celebration on October 30th in celebration of their centennial anniversary; however, they wish to invite anyone interested in joining the club or learning more about them to attend a meeting. The Noon Lions meet each Wednesday at noon from fall through spring in the fellowship hall of the First United Methodist Church. Dues run $55 and are paid twice annually. If you wish to have lunch with them, the cost is $8 per meal. Secretary Tonya Poe says anyone with special dietary needs may bring their lunch as well. They hope to see you there.