A year after the Summerland Lions Club disbanded, regional organizers with the Lions are working to bring a new club to the community.
Joanne Bray, chair of the Lions in the region, said Summerland is one of four communities in the South Okanagan which has lost its Lions Club.
The clubs in Keremeos, Osoyoos and Princeton have also disbanded. In Okanagan Falls, the club is struggling.
The Summerland club folded a year ago, when membership dropped below 10.
“They were trying to hang on,” Bray said, but added that six of the members were past 80 years of age.
“Summerland was a really strong club a number of years ago,” she said.
For clubs throughout the region, Bray said the challenge is in attracting younger members.
“None of us have any idea how to get the young ones interested,” she said.
To form a branch club, five members are needed. The club would then meet once a month, taking on fundraising for community initiatives.
For a charter club, 20 members would be needed.
When Summerland’s Lions Club was still active, the club held a charity golf tournament to help the Agur Lake Camp Society.
The club also worked with the B.C. Lions Society for the purchase of vehicles for the Summerland Transit System.
Those interested in forming a branch club or a charter club in Summerland can contact Bray at 250-498-3433 or Linda Schaffrick at 250-498-3710.
