Perry hosts the kickoff Century Celebration for Lions Club of Georgia

Perry was the city selected by the Lions Club of Georgia for the kickoff of their 100th anniversary celebration, and the Perry High School Band got things started on a high note as they strode through Cherokee Pines, the host venue, displaying their musical and marching skills. The occasion drew such support that organizers were forced to use the overflow room in order to house all the attendees. 

Mayor of Perry, Randall Walker, was among those that packed the site to be a part of the momentous event, and he officially welcomed the assembly as a part of the agenda. In a statement given after leaving the podium, he said, “I’m not a member of the Lions Club, but I am familiar with what they do as far as their service projects and the impact that they have on families and children throughout the state of Georgia.” He went on to express his enthusiasm in the club’s decision to hold their commencement gathering in his city. “We’re excited that they chose Perry—where Georgia comes together—as the place to hold the kickoff for this centennial event that they’re celebrating throughout Georgia. We appreciate, not only what they’re doing in Georgia, but also what they’re doing internationally to improve the quality of life throughout the world.”

Marty Myers, past president of the Perry Lions Club and 1st Vice District Governor (1st VDG) of District O in the state Lions organization, provided more information on the history and service aspects of the organization. “If you ever contribute to the Lions, 100% of the money goes to the community and to the needy,” Myers revealed. “Our primary goal is to help people with vision problems, and that started back in 1925 at the International Lions Club Convention.” He went on to say that their speaker that year was famed American author, Helen Keller, the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.

“During her speech, she challenged the Lions to be Knights of the Blind,” Myers explained. “I was raised by a single mother, and I started wearing glasses when I was five years old,” he went on to say. “We couldn’t afford them even back then, and glasses are way more expensive now. When Ms. Keller said what she said, it hit just right. Our club was probably looking for a keystone initiative of some kind, and that became it, and that’s what we’ve been doing for years and years.”

When the Lions all over the country have fundraisers, they often sell brooms and mops. Myers explained that the reason for this is because industries that require those tools are ones wherein vision impaired people can often find employment. “In Perry, we’re blessed to have three opticians that work with us, and for a really discounted price. So when we get a call from somewhere like the Abba House, and they have new girls there that need glasses, we’ll call up one of the optometrists who’ll make an appointment and give them an eye exam, and they’ll bill our club for just a fraction of what the glasses actually cost.” Myers said that for some of the individuals they help, having glasses make the difference to whether they’re able to keep their jobs or stay in school.

In 2017, the Lions Club International had its 100th anniversary. During that time, four additional initiatives were rolled out to include hunger, environment, childhood cancer, and diabetes. These are other areas that the organization focuses on in addition to vision impairment, but Myers admitted that their first initiative is still the one dearest to his heart.

Representatives from Lions Clubs across Georgia were at Saturday’s gathering to celebrate the milestone. District L’s 1st VDG, Tom Jackson (of Carrollton Lions Club) who serves as Chairman of the Centennial Committee sent a message of his appreciation by saying, “We are excited to have such a huge group of Lions from all over the state at the center of our state—Perry, Georgia—to observe our 100th year of service.”

His wife, Judy Jackson stated, “This kickoff event is the first of several for our 100-year celebration. It’s just an exciting time for Lions all over Georgia. We come from different areas of the state, but we’re all family. The Lions Club of Atlanta,” she enlightened, “was the first club chartered in state, and its president, Scott Rogers, is here to show his support.”

“That’s right,” Rogers added. “We are here to help this kickoff, and then there will be events throughout the year. Our state convention will be held in Atlanta in June, and we’re expecting a record turnout for that. I believe there’s going to be a proclamation from the Governor of Georgia on that day in downtown Atlanta announcing it to be Lions Day in the state of Georgia. We’re really excited about that,” Rogers said with a smile. He added, “The celebration will culminate with a Roaring Twenties Ball in December as that’s the month of 1920 that we were actually chartered.”

Council Chair Garner Andrews served as emcee of the day’s program and expressed his pleasure in being able to introduce the keynote speaker, Past International President Jim Ervin.

“This is a year that ought to be a year of kindness,” Ervin told the crowd as a part of his address. “All of us should recognize that we need to show respect and love for one another. Certainly, we can have differences of opinion, but we ought to do it in a respectful kind way.” His words brought a few responses of “Amen” from the crowd. “It ought to be a year where we remember our code of ethics,” he continued. “Particularly the part where it says to be careful with our criticism, liberal with our praise, build up, and not destroy.” He went on to praise the founders of the Lions Club, their vision, the many accomplishments and the progression that the organization has made in more recent years.

“In 1975,” Ervin announced, “the Lioness program started officially at Lions International. The women that were there, had already been, for many, many years, supporting their husbands in community service and being there for them in times of need to make their communities a better place to live.” What Ervin said next, brought applause from the audience. “In 1987, one of the greatest decisions that our association ever made was when we voted to allow women to become members of our Lions. Look at the tremendous value they have given our association. The leadership, the continuity, the work that they do; all of those things have been very positive assets to our association.” He went on to proudly proclaim the fact that females were now in leadership roles with the Lions Club and were excelling in their assignments.

As Ervin began to wind down his keynote address, he challenged the Lions to set the tone for the next hundred years. “If the future of our Lions Club—of this district, of this state, of the World of Lionism—is in our hands, what are we going to do?” He charged them to grow their respective clubs and make the clubs fun so that new members will stay. “Yes, helping people who are blind, visually impaired, and mentally challenged is serious business,” he stressed, “but we’ve got to make what we do enjoyable. We’ve got to have fun and fellowship if we want new members to stay around.” He then used quotes by Napoleon, Einstein, and Henry Ford to stress the importance of imagination, enthusiasm, and developing leadership skills.

In closing, Ervin said, “It’s not what we know about lionism, leadership, or serving that matters; it’s what we do about them that makes the difference. My prayer for all of us here today and for the future of our great state is that God will continue to give us the strength to serve and the courage to care.”

The fellowship that included a full course meal ended with a “Toast to the Future” led by Marlene Humphry, Council Chair Elect, who ushered in the moment by listing some of the Lions Club’s most recognized names. Among those she called were past U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan; basketball star, Larry Bird; baseball player, Babe Ruth and television personality, Dr. Oz. Humphry ended with, “May I propose a toast to lionism worldwide and especially in Georgia. To a future so bright,” she added while pulling sunglasses over her eyes, “that I gotta wear shades!”