History of Saratoga Lions Club - Bob Louden

THE FOUNDING OF THE SARATOGA LIONS CLUB

The Saratoga Lions Club was founded on April 26, 1947, and was sponsored by the Los Gatos Lions Club. From the very beginning of the movement to incorporate the City of Saratoga to its actual incorporation the Saratoga Lions Club took a leading and active part. It was Lions Club funds that started the study of the Choro Foundation as a feasibility survey. Members of the club served actively on all phases of this movement from committeemen to Committee Chairmen and just plain interested citizens. After the election of October 1956 three members of the Saratoga Lions Club sat on the first City Council. They were Lions Raymond Williams, Barney Rosasce, and Harold Jepson, this was three out of the five people elected. From its inception the Lions Club has supplied personnel, the first being the first City Clerk, Lion Frank Bachman.

THE SARATOGA LIONS CLUB AFTER 25 YEARS (IN 1972)

The motto of Lions International, "we serve," is best exemplified at the local club level because this is where Lions actively participate in community affairs. The Saratoga Lions Club had in 1972 an unbroken record of over a quarter of a century of service to the City of Saratoga and neighboring communities. Our main concern lies in the support of activities which help rehabilitate and train the blind. Following this policy we have continuously contributed both minutes, muscle and money to the Santa Clara Blind Center. In addition, we collect used eye glasses for distribution to needy individuals.

In order to be able to assist needy persons with serious eye problems, we became members of the Lions Eye Foundation located in San Francisco. This medical facility, supported entirely by Lions, can care for cases requiring major eye surgery. To provide funding for care of the blind or those with low vision problems, we conduct an annual mail appeal in November. In addition, we participate in the exchange of miniature white canes to members of the community for a donation.

Another important element of the community to which we committed our time and money is the youth. Our boys and girls fund helps Little League, Pony football, girls softball, and other sports activities. In addition, we sponsor an annual Student Speakers Contest featuring local High School students. The State winners all receive scholarships. We work with our elementary school students by sponsoring a Flag Day ceremony, at which miniature flags and printed Pledge of Allegiance cards are given to each first grade student. Other activities include participation in county and district conventions, club picnics and parties, mystery bus trips and other planned activities designated to promote fellowship at the club level.

THE SARATOGA LIONS CLUB AFTER 60 YEARS (IN 2007)

Although the Saratoga Lions Club was chartered in 1947 some twelve years before there even was a city of Saratoga, since incorporation we have in reality grown, nurtured, and developed with the city. When one considers the history of the Saratoga Lions Club one really recites the history of Saratoga.

The Saratoga Lions Club has been active in practically every aspect of Saratoga life from cultural to financial and its members have indeed supplied the life blood of its operating force. In 1949 the Saratoga Lions Club actively supported and presented a Historical Landmark Marker designating the site of the Saratoga Toll Gate which was a major thoroughfare in days gone by. During the late 1940's various members of the Club took leading parts in the famous Saratoga Chip In Days with the Editor being Co-Chairman of the first one. Another town activity assisted by members of the club was the complete overhaul of the Memorial Plaza.

During 1953 with Lion Dr. Joe Simone in charge we presented at the Show Theatre "The Saratoga Frolics" for two nights with the Los Gatos Union High School as recipient of the profits. This was a performance replete with professional stage acts. Montalvo was to receive crews of Saratoga Lions on at least two work days in which we mixed concrete and replaced broken seats for the concrete benches in the lower garden. We also did a real job of gardening in the lower garden area.

Probably one of the most important ways in which the club has served its community and its youth in particular has been an active interest both from member participation to actual financing of Boy Scout Troop 540. Lion Clarence Neale being a former Scoutmaster, Wendell Hammon a former Assistant Scoutmaster and for many years as its Scoutmaster our own Lion Pat Lowey who has done a most out standing job and well deserves a "Well Done ".

No record of the Saratoga Lions Club would be complete without mention of the Saratoga Youth Center, an organization that since its inception has touched literally thousands of the youth of this community. Lions were in its founding and serve on its board of Directors to this day. We were active in the Youth Center with the moving of the original center which was part of the Saratoga Laundry and was moved from Big Basin Way to Fourth Street where in recent years it has been replaced by the magnificent center located off Fruitvale Avenue.

The Saratoga Lions provided aid to New York after the 9/11 tragedy, to New Orleans after the Katrina hurricane and to various locations in the Far East after the devastation caused by the recent tidal wave. Today the Saratoga Lions stand ready and willing to provide charitable assistance to worthy causes in Saratoga and throughout the world.