By Mark Squibb
While much has changed over the last 50 years, the Goulds Lions Club has remained a staple of the community.
The Lions hosted a dinner and dance at St. Kevin’s Parish Hall on March 21 to celebrate the club’s golden anniversary.
Sponsored by the St. John’s Lions Club, the club was chartered on March 18, 1976, and initially boasted 20 members, including founder Ron Whitten and Guiding Lion Bob Miller. Gordon Warford is credited with increasing membership over the years through various membership drives, and the club now boasts about 50 members.
Among those are husband and wife Jamie and Krista Finn.
Jamie is a long serving Lion, having been introduced to the club through the Leo youth program. Krista joined more recently, attracted by opportunities to promote reading within the community.
Jamie said he believes the Club’s ties to the community are what has kept it going strong over the years.
“Not only are we our own volunteer organization, but we help support other volunteer organizations,” he explained.
Through fundraisers, the club has helped fund the Goulds Lions Arena and Goulds Library, Bidgood’s Park, the St. John’s Ambulance-Goulds Lions Brigade, community groups such as Scouts, Girl Guides, 4H, and 2415 Army Cadets, school programs like Kids Eat Smart and breakfast programs, and individuals within the community who need financial help as they deal with medical troubles.
In years past, the Club helped the local volunteer fire department buy it’s very first fire truck. More recently, the Club donated $50,000 to the Curtis Hudson Memorial Playground.
Many Lions also volunteer with other groups, such as Scouts, St. John Ambulance, and the Goulds Lions Arena Association.
Within the community, the club hosts a number of annual events, including the Christmas Parade, Justin Blundon Memorial Car Wash, Winter Carnival Breakfast, Goulds Elementary Spelling Bee, Lions Speak off, and more.
The club’s two youth offshoots are also doing well.
The Leo Club, which is aimed at youth ages 12 to 18, has been going strong for two decades, and many of today’s Lions, including Jamie, are former Leos. That club boasts about 20 members. The newly minted Cub Club, which was organized this fall and open to youths ages 5 to 11, has 14 members.
The Lions continue to host a drive-in bingo which runs from late May to late September at Bidgood’s Plaza. In recent years, the club has partnered with Bidgood’s Supermarket to host a weekly 50/50 draw, and has raised over $200,000 in 50/50 ticket sales.
“We’ve been able to support a lot of local charities and groups with that 50/50,” said Krista. “It’s been really amazing so far.”
