It wasn’t a coincidence that the Whitehall Community Lions Club was organized and chartered in 1949,  one year after Whitehall Borough was established in 1948.  Several founders of the Borough knew that a Lions Club would be an asset for their new community and acted quickly to secure one.

An organizational meeting under the sponsorship of the Oakland Lions Club was held on March 11, 1949 at the Baldwin Community Church.  William Cullen was elected President; Harris Hawkins, Secretary; and Duard Thompson, Treasurer.  Application was made to Lions International.  In turn, a Charter was granted on May 9, 1949.  Thus, the Whitehall Community Lions Club became a reality and began 60 years of distinguished service.

The 60 charter members represented many professions and occupations.  They held various religious and political views.  However, they had one thing in common -- their desire to serve their community, the blind and the less fortunate.  The precedent set by the Charter members has continued throughout the history of the club.

To raise funds its first year, the Club sponsored a Wrestling Show and held a Barn Dance.  On the charitable side,  a Christmas Party was held for l79 blind children and recreational equipment was purchased for the School for the Blind.  In the community, 100 children’s bikes were marked with Scotchlite tape and $25.00 Savings Bonds were presented to several outstanding seniors at Baldwin High School.

From this modest beginning and as the club matured, fund raising events and charitable giving were greatly expanded. One of the most notable funding events was, for seven years, sponsoring the Annual South Hills Riding Horse Show.  It took place over a three-day period each October and was held in South Park.

 To understand the scope of this endeavor, in 1964 over l750 horses were entered in 72 different classes.  Among the entries were two world champions.  The local newspapers gave the show extensive coverage, which resulted in good publicity for the Club.  The  Lions who worked the show and refreshment stand recalled that they got very little sleep the weekend of the show.

The longest running money-maker was the semi annual fish fry and raffles held at the Buffalo Inn.  Over the years, the Lions prepared virtually tons of seafood and side dishes.  Of course, the beverage that comes in barrels was readily available.  The raffles held in conjunction with the fish fry were real productions.  A wide variety of merchandise was donated or purchased outright by the club.  It was common to have 100 items up for raffle.  You name it, the lions raffled it, including a kitchen sink.  Cleanup was a real chore, especially for the those who drew the short straws and had to clean the dreaded deep fryers.

The fish fry finally ran its course and was replaced by the successful Monte Carlo Night at the Races held annually in the St. Elizabeth Gymnasium. In addition, the Club continues to raise funds through various raffles, White Cane Day, annual mailings requesting donations, nut sales, broom sales, and selling Entertainment  and Enjoy books.  Our most successful fund raisers appears to be the Monte Carlo and the Steeler Season Football Ticket raffle. A new fund  raiser was recently added, this being a spaghetti dinner.

The reason for raising money and the purpose of any Lions Club is to responsibly distribute its resources in a prudent manner.  The Whitehall Community Lions Club can take pride in the fact that for 60 years it has faithfully met this responsibility.  The Club’s  commitment to the blind cannot be disputed.  It has financially supported with vigor those bona fide organizations and institutions that provide services and research to aid the blind, the hearing impaired and diabetics. 

Financial support has been granted to many groups.  These include all types of youth programs, both athletic and non-athletic, civic groups, the library, local food banks and “Movies in the Park.”  This list is also endless.

The Whitehall Community Lions Club is fortunate that throughout its existence it has had outstanding and dedicated members.  Three Lions have been elected to Governor of District 14-B: namely Lion Albert Caldwell (1964-1965) and Lion William Gazica, (1997-1998) and most recently, John W. Frombach is serving as the District Governor.  This is for the Lion year of 2008-2009. Fourteen members have been honored with the Melvin Jones Fellow, named after the founder of Lionism.  This is the highest honor given by the Lions Clubs International Foundation.  The honorees are Lion Richard Parenti, Lion William Gazica, Lion Harold Berkoben, Lion William Susan and Lion Roger Pergola, Lions Robert Abbiatici, George Belles, C. Vince Cristiano, Harry Gross, George L. Lautner, Ralph Leng, William Walton and just recently, 2008, current District Governor, John Frombach and Richard Miller.  Our first honoree was the late Lion Ronald LaRosa who left us to too early and whose vision and enthusiasm can never be replaced.

The Club has also directly helped individuals with these inflictions by furnishing the items and services they require to improve their quality of life.  Eye examinations and eye glasses provided to the needy have become a tradition.  In recent years, thousands of dollars have been expended for this worthwhile service.

Funds are given to the Director of Social Service for the Baldwin-Whitehall School District each Christmas.  The money is distributed among the most needy students and their families.  Sometimes this is the only Christmas gift they receive.

To list or mention all or even a small number of the individuals and families the Club has aided is not possible.  This work is done quietly and without fanfare.  From food, shelter, clothing, holiday baskets, eyeglasses and hearing aids, to medical/dental aid and financial assistance, the list is endless.

Several years ago, it came to the Club’s attention that a father was unemployed and needed training to acquire a job.  The Lions paid for his training to become an over the road truck driver.  Shortly after he completed training and started to work, he refunded the cost of his training and in addition, made a contribution to the club.  The Lions do not require or expect repayment.  His gratitude and success would have been sufficient.

Involvement within the community has never been neglected.  This Club was an early and benevolent supporter of St. Peters School for Exceptional Children.  Each year, $500 awards are given to several  outstanding seniors at Baldwin High School.  This is usually used to defray the cost of college or technical training.  However, one senior applicant wanted it to help start a lawn care business. He received an award; his enterprise is thriving.

The motto of Lionism is “ WE SERVE.”  The Whitehall Community Lions Club can be proud that for 60 years it has met the challenge of this motto and has well served its community  and fellow man.  It will continue to look forward and is prepared to take a strong and rigorous club into the next millennium. 

The membership has grown in past several years, and just recently, July of 2008, The Whitehall Community and Sunset Hills Clubs united.. This merger added an additional twelve new members to the rooster.  Our mission is to make our community a  better place to live and do business.  We feel that thus far, we have been  successful in this mission.