A letter from our President addressing our 75 years of service!

In the beginning…

In early August of 1944 with World War II still raging, a group of Osseo businessmen met with members of Lions International and Lions District President to go over the formation of the Osseo Lions Club. Within two weeks they had the required 20 members to form a Lions Club.

From that time on, the Osseo Lions have had hundreds of members volunteering their time and talents in the hope of helping to make other people locally, nationally, and worldwide live a better life through educational programs, hearing and vision/eye health initiatives, donations of medical and food supplies to local service organizations or in emergency situations, and other projects benefitting the communities we live and serve in.

“We Serve” is the Lions motto.

Since that night in August, over 75 years ago, we started small but strong – helping our community with simple things like lights on Central Avenue for Christmas, throwing Christmas parties for local children, and participating, organizing, or hosting “Welcome Home” celebrations for returning servicemen and women. As time went on the Osseo Lions started to take hold in this community and began to spill out to neighboring communities.

In the 1950’s William Sipe deeded property to the Osseo Lions who, in turn, deeded it to the city where Sipes Park now stands. Over time the Osseo Lions helped improve the park for local residents and visitors with the installation of swings, sand boxes, lights on the softball field, tennis courts, a warming house for winter skating and, most recently, a metal picnic shelter.

Over the years, Audiometers were purchased for hearing tests in Osseo Schools, eye glasses have been paid for to the benefit of those who could not afford them, and sales during community events like the ROAR, pull tab sales, and other organized benefits have helped to fund other local projects and community needs. The list is long and impressive.

It is impossible to count just how much money has passed through the Osseo Lions Club over the past 75 years to the benefit of so many local organizations and individuals in need of a helping hand in addition to our state, national and worldwide missions as a global organization.

As I read through the history of the Osseo Lions, I remain amazed at how much this little band of men and women have given to their fellow man and, yet, never ask for anything personally in return.

“We Serve” is more than a motto with the Lions, it is a way of life. And, your Osseo Lions Club is still going strong.

Even in the fast-paced society we now live in today, our members still take time from their busy schedules to help and organize local events to help raise money for those in need. From the annual Pancake Breakfast and Steak Fry, to the ever-popular Lions Roar Weekend and family-friendly community holiday celebrations, your Osseo Lions are there to serve you!

With your support from pull tab purchases to your patronage at our local events, we are able to help many in need each year. But for us to continue to grow and serve, we need new members who are willing to take up the “We Serve” pledge in helping others.

New talent and ideas are always welcomed. There is a lot of work to be done, but there is also a lot of fun to be had doing that work.

We work hard, we play hard —  and “WE Serve”!

Thank you,

2019-2020

Lion President, Ed Columbus
Osseo Lions Club