Mission
To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.
Company Overview
Where there is a need, there is a Lion!
The World’s largest Service Club With over 46,000 clubs and 1.35 million members; we’re one of the most effective service clubs. 100% of funds raised goes to charities. Helen Keller attended one of our first conventions and asked the Lion’s to be ambassadors of eyesight, which we have become.
Mission Statement
To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lion’s Clubs.
Our History
Lake Alfred Lions Club History
The Lake Alfred Lions Club was chartered on November 14, 1945, by H. M. "Van" Brian. Van, a long-standing member of the Lake Alfred community, owned and operated a service station for over 15 years before managing his citrus business. His dedication to Lionism was exemplary: he served in every club office, was District Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer in 1950-51, District Governor in 1952-53, and was named an International Counsellor in 1953.
Early Projects and Community Involvement
One of the first major projects the Lake Alfred Lions Club undertook was sponsoring and promoting power boat racing on Lake Alfred. The Club began organizing the Valencia Boat Regatta less than three months after receiving its charter, and the event continued for more than 22 years. In its inaugural year, the regatta attracted 3,500 spectators. Over the years, the Club also hosted several other races, including the prestigious American Powerboat Association’s National Outboard Championships in 1952, during which more than 75 speed records were set on Lake Alfred.
The Club’s first community improvement project involved constructing picnic tables and shelters along the shores of Lake Alfred. This lakeside recreational area was dedicated to the residents on Labor Day, 1947. Building on these efforts, the Lions later broke ground on the Lake Alfred Lions Youth Center. Thanks to generous contributions from the Boy Scouts, local businesses, private donors, and countless fundraising efforts by club members, nearly $40,000 was raised. The Youth Center was officially dedicated on November 8, 1958.
The Lioness Years
In January 1978, the Lake Alfred Lions Auxiliary was officially organized, composed of wives and daughters who had long supported the Lions’ mission. Under the leadership of charter President Carol Gretencord, the Auxiliary grew and in 1985 was chartered as the Lake Alfred Lioness Club, again led by Lioness Carol. Although the Lioness Club disbanded in 1992, many of its members chose to continue their service as full members of the Lake Alfred Lions Club.
Officers
President -- Harry Williams - 863-521-4685
1st Vice President -- Rosemary Daniels
2nd Vice President --
Secretary & Club Administrator -- Rita Fawcett
Treasurer -- Barbara Johnson
e-clubhouse editor -- Stacey Houston / Steve Fawcett
Mail can be sent to: PO Box 1401, Lake Alfred, FL 33850
Club location: Lions Park, 175 N Nekoma Ave, Lake Alfred, FL 33850
Club house phone number 863-956-2421
Lakealfredlionsclubemail@gmail.com - monitored by Lions member
Also, find us at Lake Alfred Lions Club FL on Facebook
Florida Children’s Diabetes Camp
The Florida Diabetes Camp for children location is 898 Camp Winona Road DeLeon Springs, FL 32130. YMCA Camp Winona has been home to the Florida Diabetes Camp since 1990. Winona is located in a rural setting on Lake Winona just outside of the Ocala National Forest.
The diabetes camp provides camping experiences for children with Type I diabetes. Campers are divided into two groups according to ages. One week of campers accommodates ages 9 through 12. One week is assigned for ages 12 through 14. There is also weekend diabetes camps for children and their families that are involved in providing care of a child with diabetes.
Florida Diabetes Children camp depends on volunteers. All sessions are staffed by pediatric endocrinologist, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, diabetic educators, dietitians, mental health counselors, and psychologists. All volunteers have their backgrounds checked and screening. They attend training in diabetes management. Some of the volunteers have attended the camp when they were young. This is a positive experience for the children to interact with campers that attended when they were young.
There are many fun activities for the children while attending the camp. Swimming, canoeing, sailing, water slide. There is a nature walk and archery classes. The children play team sports, cabin challenges, beach parties, dances and scavenger hunts.
The children are assigned a cabin. The cabins are equipped for the child to have special space for diabetic management in a quiet zone. The cabin for meals is set up so each child calculates their carbohydrates and monitored by the counselors. Each counselor carries a backpack at each activity with the child’s individual medical records and emergency supplies.