Lions are a group of men and

women who are service oriented.

Located in 210 countries, over

46,000 clubs with a membership of

over 1.4 million members.

www.lionsclubs.org

 President Janice Wilcox

The Etowah Lions Club, founded in 1954 by several prominent community members, has played a pivotal role in the development and well-being of the local area. Initially involved in the volunteer fire department, the club soon expanded its efforts to establish a town library near the old train depot. Over the years, the club organized various fundraisers to support its mission, particularly in the realm of preserving sight. As the community grew, the club identified and addressed the need for trash collection services. At that time, landfill usage was free, and the club accepted donations for their efforts. This initiative helped prevent littering in the French Broad River and along surrounding roads. In 1974, the club officially incorporated their trash service, which they operated from the mid-1960s until June 2024. In addition to these services, the club successfully constructed a clubhouse on Highway 64, opposite Ingles, which served as their meeting place for many years. Eventually, the club acquired an old farm with the intention of creating a community park, now managed by Henderson County Parks and Recreation. Located on Etowah School Road, this park is widely utilized by the community. The club sold their original clubhouse and built a new multipurpose facility near the park to better oversee its activities. This building is available for event rentals; please refer to the news page for the calendar. The Etowah Lions Club began admitting women as members in 2004. The Etowah Lions Club focuses on community needs, particularly supporting individuals with vision impairments in the local area. The club conducts youth screenings at Elementary Schools in Henderson County to identify early eye sight issues that could worsen over time. Early detection is crucial for implementing corrective measures, allowing children to receive a better education. The Club runs a seasonal Farmers Market (see Farmers Market page) and collaborates with Etowah Elementary School to address community needs. If you are interested in contributing to your community in Etowah, the club is always open to new members. Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm. For more information, call 828-243-0875 or email liondebbie@etowahlions.com.