Serving the Bel Air, Maryland Community for Over 65 Years Click HERE to view newscast about our work with Johns Hopkins Listening Center!  Watch the video playing in the center of the screen. Quick Links  District 22A

Copyright © 2009 Lions Club of Bel Air, MD. All Rights Reserved

                                                                                                                                                                        

 

 

 

 

 

Join Us

1st and 3rd  Tuesdays       Richlin Ballroom        6:29 pm

Return to Home Page   Join the Best Community Service Organization in Town! Why should you consider joining the Bel Air Lions Club?  Simply put, there is no better way for you to return a very small part of your good fortune to the less fortunate in your community.  You need no other reason.  The good friends, the superb social activities, the camaraderie of people helping people:  these are all secondary to the tangible good that you will do for your community. Lions club members are men and women who strive to make a difference in their local  community. Service Organizations such as the Lions Club are having difficulty recruiting members.  People seem to have too much to do.  Their work or other commitments often preclude the opportunity to help the less fortunate.  You are not one of those people.  If you were, you wouldn't be reading this page.  Please take the next step: e-mail us at membership@belairlions.org.  We look forward to hearing form you and answering all questions that you may have about joining the Bel Air Lions Club.  Welcome aboard!    Copyright © 2009 Lions Club of Bel Air, MD. All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Us

 

                       

Contact Us
Contacts at the Bel Air Lions Club	Return to Home Page

President Doug DeWitt                                 President@belairlions.org  Membership Inquiries                                     Membership@belairlions.org Sight and Hearing Programs                          Eyes@belairlions.org Other Community Services                             Services@belairlions.org Web Site                                                           WebPerson@belairlions.org Telephone                                                        410-879-2914 Mailing Address:                Bel Air Lions Club                PO Box 167                Bel Air, MD  21014

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who We Are

Serving the Bel Air, Maryland Community for Over 60 Years

Officers 2008-2009 Lion President: Doug DeWitt 4 Treasurer: Beverly Barteau   Secretary: Patricia Hogan   1st Vice President: John Verbillis   2nd Vice President: Kevin Prebe   3rd Vice President: Pat Hogan

Return to Home Page                                        Who We Are One of the oldest and most active service organizations in Maryland, the impetus for the Bel Air Lions Club came in November 1942 from three men:  Bill Jackson, owner of the local Western Auto Store; his cousin, a Lion from Baltimore City; and an official from Lions International.  Bill began a telephone campaign and gathered the 27 Charter members, a cross section of leaders in the Bel Air area. The Club’s first President, Dr. Main Little, conducted the first meeting in December 1942. The Club’s major purposes are to provide support and assistance to community  projects that improve the health and welfare of all people; to raise funds that provide the means to supply that support and assistance; and, to encourage a pleasant social environment for the members while they serve the community.  Our fundamental mission comes from Helen Keller who told our 1925 Convention that Lions should be the knights of the blind.  From eye screenings at local schools to supporting sight programs worldwide, the Bel Air Lions continually strive to serve the mission.    Copyright © 2009 Lions Club of Bel Air, MD. All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

 

 

Services

Serving the Bel Air, Maryland Community for Over 60 Years Service Committees - Meeting Our Mission

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Sight Conservation   Our cornerstone mission is to foster sight conservation. Each year, the Club assists about 10 local schools by screening between 3000 and 4000 3rd, 5th and 8th grade students for both hearing and vision difficulties.  We also help financially in cases where the student's family cannot afford to purchase needed eyeglasses or hearing aids. Hearing and Speech  This Committee also offers financial support to the needy in our community for both testing and the purchase of the new-technology hearing devices. Preschool Vision Screening   This program is intended for children aged 6 months to 5 years, and is geared toward detecting eye diseases early in life so that correction might have a better chance to be successful. The Bel Air Lions Club was one of the first in District 22-A to join the Lions International program. Citizenship and Community Services   The mission of this committee is straightforward:  support external programs and organizations that reflect the civic values of Lionism.  The Committee selects the programs and organizations in the Bel Air community to receive financial and other support from the BALC.   Last year, fourteen local organizations received financial support through the efforts of the Committee. Independence Day Celebration   The Bel Air Lions provide a great deal of expertise to the local Fourth of July Celebrations Committee.  The Pancake Breakfast highlights the Club's involvement.  The event has grown to serve over 2,000 customers with blueberry pancakes, sausage and all of the trimmings.   Monies raised from the Breakfast go directly to the Fourth of July Celebrations Committee to support activities such as the annual Fourth of July fireworks.  Scholarships   Each year the Bel Air Lions Club provides scholarship support for five area high school and Harford Community College students. Another 4 students are enrolled in our rotating scholarship program which provides financial support to students in need.

Environmental Services   Members of the Bel Air Lions Club quarterly provide roadside clean-up for the portion of Route 924 from Red Pump Road to Moores Mill Road. This section of the road remains the “cleanest stretch of road” in Harford County. Grove for the Senses at Rockfield  Park    The Bel Air Lions proudly accepted the responsibility for maintenance of the Grove of the Senses, one of the many gardens in Rockfield Park.  This garden is dedicated to the visually impaired.  Designed specifically for plants, trees and shrubs with distinctive feel and fragrances, the Garden also has identifying signage in Braille to assist the visually impaired.  Annual planting, weeding and mulch placement is performed by a dedicated group of members.  Wall erection and path maintenance are also among the chores performed.  Click here for more information about the Park.   Health and Welfare   The primary mission of this Committee is to make health-related equipment available to the community. Specifically, the Committee maintains and operates a "Loan Closet" that provides, without charge, medical equipment ranging from canes to hospital beds. Known for maintaining one of the largest “Loan Closets” in Maryland, the Committee regularly delivers and picks up medical supplies such as wheel chairs, hospital beds, portable toilets, and the like.  In addition, the Committee manages donations to health and welfare organizations such as the Mann House in Bel Air.  Each Christmas the Committee works with the Town of Bel Air to identify needy families for participation in our food basket and "empty stocking" programs.                                        Return to Home Page               Copyright © 2009 Lions Club of Bel Air, MD. All Rights Reserved

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click HERE for Social Events                                                                            Return to Home Page

To finance its varied community services, the Club conducts a number of fundraisers during the year.  The success of these fundraising activities is a critical ingredient to the overall  success of our service programs.  When you participate in these fundraisers, you help insure that the Club's community service mission comes to fruition.

FUNDRAISING EVENTS

Christmas Tree Sale  The Holiday Season has its many traditions.  In Bel Air, the Lions Club Christmas Tree Sale joins the list.  From Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve the yellow hats of  Lion volunteers stand in contrast to the evergreen trees at the corner of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway and Boulton Street.  A sure sign of Christmas! This is the Club's major fundraising event, providing over 75% of the total dollars available for service projects.  The work needed to make the event a success begins in the spring and continues through the New Year.  Virtually every Bel Air Lion participates, especially during the cold days of November and December.  When you purchase your Christmas tree from the Lions Club, you give a Christmas gift to the community. Entertainment Books  Yes, the Club sells Entertainment Books!  Each member is asked to sell at least one book each year.           Copyright © 2009 Lions Club of Bel Air, MD. All Rights Reserved		Quilt Raffle  Each year the Club conducts a raffle for a quilt similar to the one shown here.  The Raffle takes place at JoAnn Fabrics, located in the Bel Air Town Center, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway and Baltimore Pike. The Raffle is one of several fundraisers that, while not as big as the Christmas Tree sale, are just as important in providing financial backing for our service projects.   Fruit Sale  Our Fruit Sale fundraiser offers citrus fruits to loyal customers several times each year.  This is a major source of funds for the Club's service activities.  Lion Mints  Enter almost any bank in the Bel Air area and you will find boxes of Lions Club mints for sale.  Proceeds from these sales go directly to support our community service activities.  In concert with other smaller fundraising events, the Lions Mints sale becomes a significant contributor to our services budget.
	SOCIAL EVENTS	Return to Home Page

Working to meet their service mission, Members develop a sense of camaraderie and friendships which are celebrated through several social events each year.  Of course, social events are sponsored by the membership.  Fundraising dollars are used strictly for service activities.  Charter Night  Each year we celebrate the Club's "birthday" on Charter Night.  The Club's  roots go back to December, 1942, but we received our Charter in January 1943. Thus, we will celebrate our 64th "birthday" in January 2006.   Installation Night  A time of celebrating the past and looking to the future, Installation Night recognizes the contributions and dedication of outgoing Club officers, and welcomes incoming Officers.  This is a special event because at its core is the true spirit of Lionism.  Club members accept the challenges of new adventure and hard work as they move into the seats of Club leadership.  Lions Daughters Night  Proud Lions share an evening of  food and entertainment with their daughters and granddaughters on this special night.  Lions' Daughters Night is a small contribution to Mom's or Dad's way of saying "thank you for being you."  Lions Sons Night  Proud Lions share an evening of  food and entertainment with their sons and grandsons on this special night.  Lions' Sons Night is a small contribution to Mom's or Dad's way of saying "thank you for being you."  Yes, it is a repeat of Daughters Night but dedicated to our sons.  Wine and Cheese Evening  Lions spouses give a great deal to the community even if the are not Club members.  By supporting their Lion husband or wife, they help enable the Club to carry out its "We Serve" mission.  The annual Wine and Cheese Evening provides an opportunity for the entire Lion team to come together for a night of entertainment.  We dedicate this evening to Lion widows and invite them to attend as our guest.  Where necessary, we arrange for their transportation to and from the event.  Family Night  For Bel Air Lions, Family Night  means Crab Feast.  This 35 year old tradition brings members and their families and guests together for an evening of good food and good fellowship.  Steamed crabs, hamburgers, hot dogs and a variety of liquid refreshments make for a fun-filled event.  Christmas Party  The Club's annual Christmas Party is a celebration of the Holiday Season.  One of three annual events for member and spouse, this night is a display of elegant fun.   Copyright © 2009 Lions Club of Bel Air, MD. All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

 

Golf

What We Do.  The Bel Air Lions Club is a civic organization whose primary mission is to enhance the quality of life for the less fortunate in our community.  A member of Lions International, we bring world renowned eyesight and hearing programs to the Bel Air community, along with scores of local programs that enhance the quality of life for the less fortunate. Fund Raising  Our fund raising efforts generate about $50,000 each year.  All of these funds are returned to the Community through our 28 outreach programs.  This golf outing will help provide the funds we use to purchase eye glasses and hearing aids, maintain our Garden for the Senses in Rockfield Park,  support local Scout Troops, keep our Medical Loan Closet up-to-date, and the list goes on. Our Golf Outing is a day of fun for our honored participants:  it is a day of hope for those who need the services  that your participation helps provide.	June 4, 2009 Geneva Farms Golf Course Registration 7:15 am  Continental Breakfast Shotgun Start 8 am Format Best Ball Scramble Lunch Immediately  Following Golf Prizes for 1st, 2nd , 3rd and Last Place Teams Great Door Prizes Mulligans $5 Each Maximum 3 per player   “Strings “Also Available at a modest price.	Please Click HERE to register. Name ___________________ Company_________________________ Phone____________________________ E-Mail____________________________  Names of golfers in the foursome:  1.________________________________  2.________________________________  3.________________________________  4.________________________________   Please enclose a check for $100 per golfer ($400 for the foursome).  Make checks payable to Bel Air Lions Club  and mail to Bel Air Lions, PO Box 167, Bel Air, MD  21014.   Early Bird Discount Early registration and payment by April 30 saves $40!  Early registration is $360 per foursome.