Nov. 26, 2019. November’s meeting of the Robbinsdale Historical Society featured John Zieba of the Robbinsdale Lions Club. Scroll down to see photo gallery.
Organized in 1939, this local Lions Club has a strong commitment to helping the community through financial support and action. All of the help they provide is either voluntary or funded by donation or fundraising support.
Of 27 current members, 14 are women. Many young people are joining the Lions Club because of their emphasis on community service.
Emphasis on vision programs
In 1925, Helen Keller attended the Lions Clubs International Convention and challenged Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” The Lions accepted her challenge and their work ever since has included sight programs.
They have a long history of serving the blind and visually impaired. Their goal is to prevent avoidable blindness and improve quality of life for people who are blind and visually impaired.
Helping with war efforts
During World War II (1939-45), the Robbinsdale Lions Club organized war bond drives, sponsored victory gardens, promoted blood donations and donated to the Red Cross. During the Korean War (1950-53) they had scrap metal drives.
Graeser Park and the Robbinsdale Lions Club
Graeser Park has been under the proud volunteer stewardship of the Robbinsdale Lions Club since 2008. Joined by an army of volunteers, they’re maintaining Graeser Park in hopes that it will be restored.
If you can see a stone path in Graeser Park today, it’s because a Robbinsdale Lion uncovered it.
They have pulled weeds, removed trees and donated hundreds of hours of volunteer time to help save this historic Lilac Way park for restoration.
The list of community organizations that they have helped is extensive, and includes:
- MN Lions Diabetes Foundation
- MN Lions Vision Foundation
- Leader Dogs for the Blind
- Special Olympics
- Empty Bowls
- Robbinsdale Youth Basketball
- 12th Street Homeless Veterans
- Lakeview Elementary Programs
- Crescent Cove Child Hospice
- Second Harvest Heartland
Learn more about the Robbinsdale Lions Club
Check out the Lions Club website, email them at robbinsdalelions@gmail.com. Follow their Facebook page.
John Zieba told the story of the Robbinsdale Lions Club at the November meeting of the Robbinsdale Historical Society.
To see captions: Click on or roll over a photo. Swipe on mobile to see next photo.
