Humboldt Lions Club president Chris Parish (right) accepts their new charter certificate from past international director, Marvin Chambers (left) during their inaugural event on Nov. 4. (Submitted photo/Becky Zimmer)

By Becky Zimmer

Serving others

Humboldt Lions officially part of the pride, receive charter into global organization

Nov 5, 2023 | 1:00 PM

Even though they have already been busy in the community, the Humboldt Lions Club welcomed community members and fellow Lions from across the province to their charter night on Saturday.

The international service organization with 1.4 million members in 200 countries added 35 more as the club is officially back up and running in Humboldt. Members from the Lake Lenore, Wadena, and Bruno clubs, as well as some district directors and governors were on hand to welcome 24 out of the 35 members with pins and certificates.

Lorne Wolfe was a member when the first club disbanded in the early 2000s due to a drop in active members. He was happy to once again be a part of the global community and he said it will have a lasting effect on Humboldt.

“There’s a lot of younger people here, a lot of energy in it, which is good,” Wolfe told northeastNOW.

The first Humboldt Lions Club was active back in the 1950s when they sponsored the Lake Lenore club to become part of the organization. The current Lake Lenore Lions Club has now returned the favour and sponsored this new Humboldt club right back.

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Former Lake Lenore club president, Tim Prodahl, thinks that’s pretty cool that both clubs have come full circle and numerous district members mentioned how unique that situation is.

“Humboldt was just that much bigger of a community than what we were (back in 1955), but to see us now, thankfully we’re a strong club and we were able to step in and help Humboldt out so that was just awesome,” Prodahl told northeastNOW.

Twenty-four of the group’s 35 charter members were present to receive their welcome into the international service organization’s new Humboldt branch. Pictured (L to R): Back row – past district governor, Bernie Kramchynsky, Beryl Bauer, Alaina Elias, Donna Muench, Lorrie Bunko, Rob Muench, Margaret Nagy, Wade Nagy, Karl Breker, Larry Jorgenson, Chris Parish, Janet Szautner. Middle – Ryan Chamberlain, Lorne Wolfe, Lauri Breker, Mike Yager, Brian Grest, Joe von Doellen, Riley Schemenauer, Chris Hergott. Front – Tammy Engele-Lueke, Lisa Freriks, Pamela Arnason, Shannon Yager, Joanne Grywacheski, and Sheldon Grywacheski. Missing: Dawn Bergermann, David Blackshaw, Jason Bobinski, Drew Dillabough, Lee Dufort, Dean Possberg, Donna Schlosser, Mike Schlosser, and Corey Schweitzer. (Submitted photo/Becky Zimmer)

Current Humboldt president, Chris Parish, said Beryl Bauer from the Lake Lenore club was a huge proponent in getting the club running again.

“He came into work one day and asked me if I was interested,” Parish told northeastNOW, “and if I would help head him up. That was in March, and by April, we kind of got things rolling and got things started.”

All the hard work has already paid off with the Lions hosting their first fundraiser with a burger sale during Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home’s anniversary back in May followed by manning a beer garden at the Discovery Ford PBR event back in June.

The group’s biggest fundraiser so far has been their Festival of Frights which was a screaming success with 578 people coming through the doors of the Humboldt Vintage Club.

The charter event itself was also a fundraiser with comedians Jarvis Zawatsky and Matthew Murray entertaining the crowd. Numerous sponsors also donated live and silent auction items.

The money raised will be distributed to local causes and organizations.

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becky.zimmer@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @bex_zim