Avon Lions Club Turns 64 This April

AVON— The Avon Lions Club convened at Veterans Hall Wednesday to distinguish several long-time members for their service and discuss upcoming plans for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Lions Clubs International.

The Avon charter, which is 59 members strong, is celebrating its own 64th anniversary this April. In anticipation of the 100th anniversary of Lions International in June, the Avon club has been working on putting up a pole clock near Circle Park with the Lions Club logo as a lasting gift to the community.

“We have a building committee, and over the years these are the things we’ve built in this community” said Membership Chair and ’79-80 President Thomas Barolini, presenting a list of past building projects. “We want to let everyone know that the clock is not a new project. We’ve already invested in the community with structures.”

Some of those structures include a skating rink, a pavilion, a barbecue pavilion,  baseball dugouts, a gazebo, a camp infirmary, and loan closet and equipment buildings.

The Lions honored four members on Wednesday night for over 55 years of service. Those four are Robert Carlin (60 years of membership), Gerald Coyne (59), David Wilbur (57), and Bruce Bristol (56). Carlin, Coyne and Bristol were all Presidents of the club in the 1970s. Additionally, Carlin and Bristol maintained perfect membership for each year of service.

The Avon Lions Club remains committed to the collection of eyeglasses and support and funding for programs concerned with sight, hearing and speech conservation and therapy.

The next highly anticipated date for the club is June 7, which will mark the celebration for the 100th anniversary of Lions Clubs International.