Clarksburg Lions Club History:
The Lions Club of Clarksburg was chartered on January 21, 1924 with its first organization meeting held four days later on January 25th with thirty-eight members present. There were fifty-three Charter members.
The Charter was presented on Saturday, March 22, 1924, at the old Waldo Hotel. At that first meeting, Fred B. Deem sang Hail, West Virginia, which he wrote. City Manager Harrison G. Otis, welcomed the club to the city. Sam Bentley, Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce President, spoke on the benefits of a Lions Club to the community. E. R. Kingsley, Parkersburg Lions Club President, and later a President of Lions Clubs International, welcomed the Club on behalf of the other state Lions Clubs.
From the beginning, the Clarksburg Lions Club has been a service club: Helping the blind and sight impaired; sponsoring glaucoma clinics, health fairs, hearing clinics, and attending to civic needs, such as beautification and improvement projects.
As Lions Club International began emphasizing and adopting youth outreach activities, so did the Clarksburg Lions Club. Our Club sponsored youths to Boys and Girls State, Camp Horseshoe, Camp Kno-Ko-Ma, and others, became one of our main youth out reach activities. Later, the Peace Poster Contest and sponsorship of LEO clubs also became an integral part of our outreach efforts.
From the very beginning, the Clarksburg Lions Club has been noted for its outstanding programs. The former Robinson Grand Theatre was on the old Keith Vaudeville Circuit and many great acts from the state appeared at our Club. The Club itself brought many great acts and artists, including Rubinoff and his violin. In more recent years, our speakers have brought us a variety of subjects including art, music, history, geography, public works, education, sports medicine, law, government, and leadership as well as topics involving several aspects of Lionism.
The Clarksburg Lions Club has always represented a cross section of the community. Our diversity has been a strength and asset in our growth and longevity. Our membership is now represented by several couples, father-son and mother-daughter combinations, and many professions and avocations.
No charter member survives but we have six life members and several past presidents who remain active. Throughout its history the Clarksburg Lions Club has produced one international director, eight past district governors, and many district and multiple district officers.
