PERRYVILLE LIONS CLUB HISTORY

      Perryville Lions Club was sponsored by Rising Sun Lions Club and was chartered on April 28, 1944. From the beginning, Perryville Lions began useful community enterprises and social activities which the entire town and suburbs deeply appreciated. They have been continuously endowed with a spirit of comradeship and enterprise which has borne fruit year after year. Like Lionism around the world, Perryville Lions have been a force which helps both the town and individuals pull themselves up by their bootstraps.

      Our club has the distinction of hosting two past District Governors. PDG Oakley A. Sumpter, Jr., served in 1974 and PDG Samuel C. Thompson served in 1986-1987. PDG Thompson became our only life time member in 2005. Additionally (when the club first admitted women), our first woman member and to serve as President was Bonnie Giraldi.

      Now the long tradition of unselfish service to our community and to the world continues to be manifested in our current membership. Although a small club, we represent a variety of professions and skills with a common goal to serve and help others.

      As we continue to help those less fortunate in our community, the varied programs we have been active in/with include:

Programs

  • Support the Sight and Hearing Mobile Unit
  • Helping restore Historic Buildings (specifically Rodgers Tavern)
  • Helping remodel/repair homes of low income families
  • Helping with the Perry Point Veterans
  • Support local Scouts
  • Helping handicapped persons
  • Support the Little League
  • Providing Perryville High School Scholarships to Cecil Community College
  • Collecting eye glasses. hearing aids, and canceled stamps
  • Helping at the Department of Aging
  • Supporting the Domestic Violence Center
  • Supporting Seasons Hospice
  • Providing fuel oil for needy families
  • Supporting the Wilmer Eye Center, the Leader Dog School, Lions Vision Research, and the Maryland Eye Bank
  • Donating food and fruit baskets at Christmas
  • Supporting the Perryville Community Fire Company
  • Working with the Perryville Chamber of Commerce on various programs
  • Promoting the Peace Poster Contest for middle school children
  • Marching in local community parades
  • Helping with the Annual Spring Fling and Fall Fest
  • Taking cards to patients at Perry Point VA Hospital on holidays
  • Collecting aluminum can tabs to support the Ronald McDonald House
  • Distributing Liberty Day Booklets
  • Training for Preschool Vision Screening Program and screening children at local elementary schools
  • Supporting Lions Candy Day

      To generate funds for our programs we have:

Generating Funds

  • Worked luncheons on election days and local church turkey suppers
  • Made and sold Christmas mounds and sold soy candles
  • Held yard sales, card parties, bowl-a-thons, and country/western concerts
  • Taken pictures with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny
  • Collected used computer ink cartridges and cell phones
  • Helped with local Triathlons

During the last 20 years, the following held office as Presidents and Secretaries:

PAST OFFICERS
Year President Secretary
1986-1987 John T. Barrow, Jr. Edward A. Thompson
1987-1988 John T. Marley James R. Lindenmuth
1988-1989 Domonick Cifaldo Carleton W. Brown
1989-1990 George W. Baker James R. Lindenmuth
1990-1991 Kirkwood L. Atkinson Peter P. McKay
1991-1992 Ronald A. McGuirk John J. Marley
1992-1993 Rowland Anderson Richard L. Webb
1993-1994 Thomas M. Patterson Peter P. McKay
1995-1996 Luther S. Vaught, Jr. Peter P. McKay
1996-1997 Bonnie M. Giraldi Luther S. Vaught, Jr.
1997-1998 John H. Buck Luther S. Vaught, Jr
1998-1999 Rebecca A. Ellis Luther S. Vaught, Jr.
1999-2000 Colleen V. Chamberlain Luther S. Vaught, Jr.
2000-2001 David R. Dawson Luther S. Vaught, Jr.
2001-2002 Salvatore Capuccio Collen V. Chamberlain
2002-2003 Amy Capuccio Colleen V. Chamberlain
2003-2004 Ken Christain Colleen V. Chamberlain
2004-2005 Betty Jane McMullen Colleen V. Chamberlain
2005-2006 Lynne D. Tate Kenneth Christain
2006-2007 Kirkwood Atkinson Kenneth Christain
2007-2008 Tony Gerst Kenneth Christain

In the last few years, we have been able to start a monthly newsletter, hold retreats for the Club, and initiate a web site. Though a small Club, we have very dedicated people who continue to support our local town with all their hearts. Serving and giving are a way of life for most Club members.

Perryville Lions Club · PO Box 640 · Perryville, MD 21903