Aitkin, MN             A District 5M9 Lions Club

AITKIN LIONS CLUB CELEBRATES 80 YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE

May 20, 2006 – Saturday, May 6^th, the Aitkin Lions Club celebrated their 80^th Anniversary at the American Legion in Aitkin, MN. Over 100 persons attended the event. The Aitkin Lions Club has provided service to the community and to needy around the world for 80 years. Chartered on May 5, 1926, sponsored by the Brainerd Lions Club, they were the 6^th Lions Club formed in Minnesota. The Lions organization started in 1917 in Chicago, Illinois. Today, there are 45,000 Lions Clubs in 197 countries around the world; the largest service organization in the world.

Aitkin Lions President, Brien Smeltzer emceed the evenings activities, which included an address by Lions Multiple 5M Membership & Retention Chair, PDG Wayne Swanson. Lion Wayne is a 1960 Graduate of Aitkin High School and was happy to come back to Aitkin for this milestone event.

Several awards were made to various members of the club for outstanding service. Lions Don Hyytinen and Dave Petry were both honored with Melvin Jones Fellows awards, one of the highest awards given by Lions. Lion Dean Hasskamp was awarded the Helen Keller Sight Award for his services in the prevention and treatment of blindness, noting his work in Diabetes Awareness and his activities in working with youth. Lions Ed Peysar and Andy Skaj received the clubs 1^st Hearing and Service Awards for their continued service and support of club activities and Lions Programs for many years. Lion Anthony Miller received the Aitkin Lions Club’s Lion of the Year Award. Awards were presented by the guest dignitary, PDG Wayne Swanson. 

The International Association of Lions Clubs began as the dream of Chicago businessman Melvin Jones. He believed that local business clubs should expand their horizons from purely professional concerns to the betterment of their communities and the world at large. Jones' group, the Business Circle of Chicago, agreed. After contacting similar groups around the United States, an organizational meeting was held on June 7, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The new group took the name of one of the invited groups, the "Association of Lions Clubs," and a national convention was held in Dallas, Texas, USA in October of that year. A constitution, by-laws, objects, and code of ethics were approved.

In 1925, Helen Keller addressed the Lions international convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA. She challenged Lions to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness." From this time, Lions clubs have been actively involved in service to the blind and visually impaired.

Nearly every City or region in Minnesota has a Lions Club. Aitkin Lions meet on the 3^rd Tuesday of each month at the 40 Club Restaurant.  The club is open to both men and women. Anyone interested in finding out more about becoming a Lions member, is invited to join them at their regular meeting and learn how they too can be a part of this service organization making a difference for their community and for others around the world.