Merger:
In July 2020, the West Linn Riverview Lions Club decided to terminate their charter as an approved Lions Clubs International (LCI) Lions Club. The Club reached this decision after much discussion of potential future membership, plans, and opportunities, but in the end, the Club decided that a merger with the West Linn Lions Club was in their members best interest. The Riverview Lions and West Linn Lions both approved the merger, so in July, the Riverview Lions that wished to transfer were officially welcomed as new West Lion Lion Club members. The merger resulted in one Lions Club with augmented membership dedicated to serving the West Linn Community. The Riverview Lions that transferred brought with them a new project for the West Linn Lions: to sell Poinsettia plants for Christmas. See that Poinsettia Sale item under the Fundraising menu item above.
Riverview Lions Club History:
In May of 1955 the history of West Linn women in Lionism began with the certification of the West Linn Lions Auxiliary sponsored by the Milwaukie Lions Auxiliary. It became a very active club with nineteen charter members. The main fundraiser was the sale of snow cones at the summer ball games at the high school and at the West Linn Old Fashioned Fair. In those days auxiliaries were called “activities” of the men-only Lions clubs.
Twenty eight years later (1983) West Linn Lions Bill Gregory and Bill Brazel were instrumental in organizing and sponsoring the West Linn Lioness Club that chartered with thirty three members. The Club grew to seventy six members in the next nine years, when Lioness Clubs received the ultimatum from Lions Clubs International to either join an existing Lions Club or charter as a new Lions Club. So it was voted by a majority of Lioness members to become the West Linn Riverview Lions Club, with a membership of sixty six very active members, and was chartered in July of 1992. On August 6th the charter night was held at Marylhurst Lewis and Clark Commons. Again the West Linn Lions were the sponsors and have continued to be a source of support. The two clubs join in sponsorship of a number of projects, such as the Easter Egg Hunt, WLHS Scholarships, West Linn Old Fashioned Fair, and the Annual Bowl-a-thon.
With the support of the community and a host of successful fund raisers the Riverview Lions have donated at least $280,000 back into the community. In addition to financial contributions, many hours of community service have fulfilled the needs of those less fortunate in West Linn and Lions District “O”.
We can attribute our success to several things: 1) our in-club communication through our good newsletters; 2) our faithful calling committees; 3) our sunshine committee (one Verie Reynolds); 4) our regular orientation of new members; 5) our good leadership and the great cooperation and support of our members; and 6) last but not least, the support from our host club the West Linn Lions Club.
To sum up our Club's activities since chartering, we quote the last verse of a parody of the 12 Days of Christmas written by Past President Julie Schwabauer several years ago:
In July 2020, the West Linn Riverview Lions Club decided to terminate their charter as an approved Lions Clubs International (LCI) Lions Club. The Club reached this decision after much discussion of potential future membership, plans, and opportunities, but in the end, the Club decided that a merger with the West Linn Lions Club was in their members best interest. The Riverview Lions and West Linn Lions both approved the merger, so in July, the Riverview Lions that wished to transfer were officially welcomed as new West Lion Lion Club members. The merger resulted in one Lions Club with augmented membership dedicated to serving the West Linn Community. The Riverview Lions that transferred brought with them a new project for the West Linn Lions: to sell Poinsettia plants for Christmas. See that Poinsettia Sale item under the Fundraising menu item above.
Riverview Lions Club History:
In May of 1955 the history of West Linn women in Lionism began with the certification of the West Linn Lions Auxiliary sponsored by the Milwaukie Lions Auxiliary. It became a very active club with nineteen charter members. The main fundraiser was the sale of snow cones at the summer ball games at the high school and at the West Linn Old Fashioned Fair. In those days auxiliaries were called “activities” of the men-only Lions clubs.
Twenty eight years later (1983) West Linn Lions Bill Gregory and Bill Brazel were instrumental in organizing and sponsoring the West Linn Lioness Club that chartered with thirty three members. The Club grew to seventy six members in the next nine years, when Lioness Clubs received the ultimatum from Lions Clubs International to either join an existing Lions Club or charter as a new Lions Club. So it was voted by a majority of Lioness members to become the West Linn Riverview Lions Club, with a membership of sixty six very active members, and was chartered in July of 1992. On August 6th the charter night was held at Marylhurst Lewis and Clark Commons. Again the West Linn Lions were the sponsors and have continued to be a source of support. The two clubs join in sponsorship of a number of projects, such as the Easter Egg Hunt, WLHS Scholarships, West Linn Old Fashioned Fair, and the Annual Bowl-a-thon.
With the support of the community and a host of successful fund raisers the Riverview Lions have donated at least $280,000 back into the community. In addition to financial contributions, many hours of community service have fulfilled the needs of those less fortunate in West Linn and Lions District “O”.
We can attribute our success to several things: 1) our in-club communication through our good newsletters; 2) our faithful calling committees; 3) our sunshine committee (one Verie Reynolds); 4) our regular orientation of new members; 5) our good leadership and the great cooperation and support of our members; and 6) last but not least, the support from our host club the West Linn Lions Club.
To sum up our Club's activities since chartering, we quote the last verse of a parody of the 12 Days of Christmas written by Past President Julie Schwabauer several years ago:
Thinking o’er the past years a vision came to me.
Twelve litter pickers,
Eleven blocks for quilting,
Ten bowlers bowling,
Nine flags for second graders,
Eight maids a marching,
Seven gifts for wrapping,
Six Lions Paws,
Five bags of golden garbage,
Four garage sales,
Three fuschia baskets,
Two sox for Kids,
And a Lion pouring cups of English Tea.
Twelve litter pickers,
Eleven blocks for quilting,
Ten bowlers bowling,
Nine flags for second graders,
Eight maids a marching,
Seven gifts for wrapping,
Six Lions Paws,
Five bags of golden garbage,
Four garage sales,
Three fuschia baskets,
Two sox for Kids,
And a Lion pouring cups of English Tea.