About Lions
Mission Statement of Lions Clubs International:
“To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation.”
The Fall River Lions Club was chartered by the Lions Clubs International in 1948.
Our motto is "We Serve Our Local Community" and that is exactly what our club has done for the past 62 years. We currently have 27 members and welcome you to join us. We meet 2 times a month for dinner and a social hour. In the summer we meet at a beautiful park on the Pit River - during the winter we meet in the Lions Hall in McArthur. Call Gary Derenia (530) 336-7205 for more info.
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Several Lions pitched in to help injured fellow Lion Cliff Dahlquist get in enough firewood to last him the winter. Cliff would normally do this chore himself, but a serious injury to his foot prevented him from doing so. Members of the Fall River Lions frequently volunteer to do "charity" cuts for older residents of the valley who can longer get in their own firewood. |
The principal way in which we serve the intermountain communities of Fall River and McArthur is by operating and maintaining a large community center and 2 community parks. Operating and maintaining these 3 properties consumes most of our clubs’ manpower and resources. Much of what's left is used to provide annual scholarships to graduating seniors at Fall River High School, to make donations to both local and national charities and to stage local events, such as the Lions annual Easter Egg Hunt.
In 1952, just 4 years after being chartered, the Fall River Lions Club using land donated for that purpose by PG&E, created and built a rural community park on the banks of the Pit River a half mile west of the Pit One Powerhouse between the communities of Burney and Fall River Mills. The club has maintained this community park free of charge to the public for 58 years and is currently working with the Stewardship Council to ensure that it continues to do so in the future.
The Fall River Lions acquired the Lions Hall in 1977. In 2003, a $100,000 federal grant was obtained and used to upgrade and refurbish the hall. Since receiving this property the Fall River Lions have expanded its use by the general public to such an extent that it is now much more than just a Lions Hall; it is truly a Community Center serving the entire Fall River Valley and indeed the entire intermountain area.
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Members of the Coffee Club welcome Cliff back home - join us weekdays 8 to 10 am. |
In 1984, the Fall River Lions using land donated for that purpose by the Fall River Community Service District, created and built an urban community park in town on the banks of the beautiful Fall River. In just the past 5 years alone, the Fall River Lions have spent $30,000 to improve and maintain this park for the benefit of the surrounding community. This park is centrally located and receives heavy use by all ages and segments of the community. Surrounded by picnic tables, cool shade trees and a beautiful view of the river, it is a welcome respite for travelers and local residents alike. It is handicapped accessible with restrooms nearby. The park has a lighted baseball field and supports many community events with live music and more. For example, our communities annual Wild Rice Festival is staged here.
Our members take an active part in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the communities we serve. I would like to invite anyone visiting our website to join us at either one of our bi-weekly meetings or at daily coffee, in order to see for yourself what we do and how we operate. Get up and make your community a better place to live and have fun doing it.
Gary Derenia, President
Fall River Lions Club |
