by Syble Solomon
Recently the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce recognized the civic clubs which have a legacy of providing services, projects and financial support that enrich their communities. To highlight different organizations, one should begin with the oldest one in the valley, The Lions Club of Hamilton.
Dedicated to service since being chartered in 1930, the Lions Club of Hamilton is the oldest service club in the area and is as committed to serving the community today as ever.
Their story began in 1917, when Chicago businessman Melvin Jones envisioned a group of business leaders working together for the betterment of their community. Inspired by Helen Keller’s challenge to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness,” the Lions took on a special mission for vision care. This powerful idea roared to life and spread as the Association of Lions Clubs.
True to their original mission, the local Lions Club supports programs related to vision. They partner with Big Sky Eye Care to do vision screenings at elementary schools and offer vision assistance to residents in need to ensure everyone has access to proper eye care. Each county library receives an annual donation to purchase large-print books. Donation boxes to collect eyeglasses are available at businesses throughout the area, and hearing aids can be recycled there as well. They also partner with Montana Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation to assist with purchasing hearing aids for those in need.
The Lions Club Bingo at the Ravalli County Fair has been a tradition enjoyed by generations for the past 70 years. That, and their annual golf tournament, are their two major fundraisers to raise money for vision and hearing related projects and also support many different needs in the community. They live by their motto, “Where there’s a need, there’s a lion.” Dan Rothlisberger, president, said, “We listen to anyone who may be needing financial support, but we don’t want to just be another dollar. We want to make sure the money is put to good use. We want to support projects that will have a significant impact in our community. And we really like being in at the beginning of interesting, innovative projects.”
Historically there are many examples of how impactful their support has been. For example, they saved the Alta Ranger Station, located about 30 miles southwest of Darby. It is the oldest known U.S. Forest Service building in the nation. It had mistakenly been built on private land and in 1941 the Lions purchased the land and restored it to the Forest Service. Forest Archaeologist and Heritage Program Manager, Matthew Werle, was quoted saying, “They recognized the importance of having public land for the betterment of the American people.” Continuing that theme, Bitterrooters have enjoyed Blodgett Park for many years because the Lions Club purchased the land and donated it for recreational use.
There are many examples of how the area has benefitted from the Lions responding to local needs. For over 60 years, Hamilton Broncs fans watched games sitting on the 600 bleacher seats the Lions donated to Haynes Field, the old high school stadium. They also provided the pavilion at Legion Park that served the community for over 50 years. The contributions helped 4H make their auction event at the fair more efficient with new computers. The Lions contributed to the hospital expansion and have participated in providing diabetes awareness with Bitterroot Health.
Currently they foster the love of sport, teamwork and community for youth with their sponsorship of the Bitterroot Strikers Youth Soccer Program and contributed to the Daly Elementary first-grade swim program. Their donation to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library helps deliver free books to all Ravalli County children from birth to five. The Lions are also a familiar sight at community events, from highway cleanups and taking photos with Santa at Murdoch’s to providing holiday music at local assisted living facilities. Those who visit Skalkaho Bend Park can relax on a bench they donated and maintain in memory of Wayne A. Hedman, a well-known and highly regarded community member, pharmacist, downtown business leader, friend of the forest and a friend to all.
The Hamilton Lions Club is a testament to how one group can make a difference in a community. Besides participating in relevant projects, there are many personal payoffs to becoming a member. Benefits of membership include the opportunity to meet new people, develop leadership skills through mentorship and being involved as a leader on the regional and national level. The Lions’ global outreach also provides work, study and leadership opportunities in other countries. Donations and volunteers for bingo at the fair and other projects are always welcome.
Each year the Hamilton Lions Club collects over 2,000 eyeglasses to be recycled. Anyone can drop off eyeglasses and hearing aids in Hamilton at TrailWest Bank, Opportunity Bank, First Security Bank, Big Sky Eye, Rocky Mountain Eye, Bitterroot Valley Optical, Bitterroot Drug, Hamilton Senior Center, Ravalli Fun Center and Daly Leach Chapel. Drop boxes are also at Valley Drug and Family Pharmacy in Stevensville and the library in Darby.
For more information and to become a member, interested parties should contact Dan Rothlisberger at (406) 363-3879. Everyone is always invited to attend their meetings the first and third Tuesdays of each month at BJ’s from 12 noon to 1 p.m.