GLASSPORT LIONS CLUB received its charter at a dinner held at Bill Green’s Casino on April 4, 1940.  The charter was officially presented to Dr. E. L. Erhard, the first president, by Dr. A. S. Haines, District Governor.  The McKeesport Lions Club sponsored Glassport, and Dr. J. A. Walk was President and Sidney Caplan, Secretary of that Club.  Judge John P. Hester was the Club’s first Secretary, and Judge Samuel A. Weiss was the Second Vice-President. 

One of the first projects was the purchase of an Ortho-rator, and also the purchase of a Resuscitator for the Police Department.  During the war years the Club contributed candy and cigarettes to those men leaving for the service, and sent cigarettes to the Armed Services overseas.  They held paper drives, scrap drives and War Bond drives to aid the War effort.  After the war they donated food to needy families at Christmas, gave prizes for the best Christmas lighting display, and had the chest X-Ray Unit come into the community.  In 1950, they began and completed the construction of a fountain in the Memorial Park, which has continually been improved and beautified over the years.  These energetic Lions put on a Minstrel Show and raised money to build a score board for the new Glassport Stadium.  They collected and sent funds to the Stroudsburg Lions Club when that city was flooded.

Since 1950 the Club has been purchasing glasses for needy residents, contributing to the Pennsylvania Lions Eye Research Foundation, Beacon Lodge, the School for Blind Children, Leader Dog School, the Eye Mobile, helped purchase an Eye Microscope for McKeesport Hospital.  They also helped build a school in Guatemala, and in 1976 furnished a room in the new wing of McKeesport Hospital at a cost of $5,000.  Of course, one of the Club’s outstanding contributions has been the Samuel A. Weiss Community Library which was begun in 1958, and a beautiful new wing added in 1964.  The Club has continued its programs for the citizens of the community, and has added services for the District’s Eye, Ear, Drug & Alcohol, and Diabetic Programs.  Many of the Club’s members have served the community in various civic, fraternal and church organizations, such as members of Borough Council, the Mayor, members of Glassport and South Allegheny School Boards. 

Several Glassport Lions have served the District on the Cabinets, and Lion Tony DeJulius served as District Governor in 1974-75. 

The Glassport Lions Club is proud to have sponsored the Mon-Yough Lions Club, and the Greater Pittsburgh Deaf Lions Club.