Dunville Lions/Lioness Clubs

The Dunville Lions Club was chartered in April, 1973 with 22 members. The sponsoring club was the Placentia Lions. Lion Don Fagan was the Guiding Lion appointed by the Placentia Club. Lion Don was an outstanding Lion who had a very clear understanding of the Lions' Motto "We Serve" and did great service in guiding the new members. Also very helpful were Lion Jim Soper, who was the District Governor and Lion George Whitten who was Deputy Governor at the time.

This club has been extremely active over the years as shown in their contributions to organizations in the area, amounting to thousands of dollars since they first formed (up to $250,000 in 1988 and thus higher still today). They helped the Dunville fire Brigade by donating suits, hats, hoses, breathing apparatus systems, a new van, etc. They donated to the hospital items such as special beds, chairs, wheelchairs, etc.

In the mid 1970's the Dunville and Placentia Lions became involved in a major undertaking along with the help of MHA Mr. Patterson to get a senior citizens complex for the area. This involved a tremendous amount of hard work and several meetings. In 1986 the fruits of all the hard work became a reality as the Lions Manor nursing home opened its doors to welcome senior citizens from many local and neighboring communities.

As well both the Placentia and Dunville Lions clubs were instrumental in securing a new hospital for the area which opened its doors in 1996.

In 1974 a Leo Club was formed with some of the youth of Dunville, 25 boys and girls. This club functioned very effectively from 1974 to 1985. In 1975 the Dunville Lions were successful in forming a new lions club at Whitbourne. Lion Harvey Mercer of Dunville and Winc King at Whitbourne were instrumental in coordinating the efforts that saw the formation of this new club.

The Dunville Lions Community Center

In 1974 ERCO Industries at Long Harbour donated a construction bunk house to the Dunville Lions club at a cost of $1.00. The town of Dunville donated the land for this building. In the spring of 1975 the Dunville Lions dismantled the building at the ERCO site and moved it to Dunville. During the summer and fall of 1975, with the help of a LIP grant the building soon took shape and was weather tight before winter set in. Lion Frank Best was the supervisor in charge of construction. During the fall of 1976 and the spring of 1977, the Dunville Lions Club had little money to spend on the building; however, during that period the lions members and a couple of people from the community put in more than 4,000 hours of free labour to get the building electrically wired, the washrooms usable, the senior citizens room completed, and the east wing finished enough to celebrate the 4th charter anniversary in April 1977. The building was completed in 1980. The Lions Community Center is used by groups such as Lions - for Bingo, Meetings, & Socials; Lioness - for Bingo, Meetings & Socials; Senior Citizens; Dunville Firemen - for Anniversary Gatherings ; Kinsmen - for Social Events; Dart Leagues; Women's Institute; Hospital Auxiliary; Various Government Agencies; Various Youth Organizations ; private groups; public groups, etc.

The commitment of the club is "To Serve". Many donations have been made over the years, including donations to schools, organizations, nursing home, hospital, fire department, the youth, senior citizens, sports, needy families, just to name a few.

Lioness Club

In 1977 a Lioness Club was formed in Dunville with 15 wives of Lions and other ladies of the community. This club functioned from 1977 to 1982. In 1987 on January 20th, a new Lioness Club was formed, again under the sponsorship of the Dunville Lions Club. Like other clubs in the area the lioness club has been very supportive of other groups and has given tremendously of their time and talents.

Source:
The Town of Dunville: 25th Anniversary Souvenir Program.(1988). Produced by the Town of Dunville.

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