By Stephen Smoot
“With every project completed and each person served, we make history.”
The website of Lions International opens with these words under the heading “Making History Every Day.” The Shinnston Lions Club, through their community service projects and work toward honoring veterans in the yearly parade, continue making history where it counts. They do so through putting in the time and effort necessary to fulfill their mission
During World War I, large parts of Europe lay in either physical or economic ruins. The effect of the destructive war took its toll globally both during and after the conflict.
Melvin Jones, a Chicago businessman and son of a frontier Cavalry scout, saw the need. The Lions International website describes him as “a dreamer, a doer, and a pragmatist,” which are three personality characteristics that do not always appear together. The William Shakespeare enthusiast poured his energy and talent into salesmanship, becoming one of the top insurance businessmen in the Windy City.
In 1913, Jones joined a business club that brought together prominent Chicagoans for networking and community service aimed at their own set. Jones saw the potential of so much more. He said “what if these men who are successful because of their drive, intelligence, and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities?”
On June 7, 1917 Lions International came into being.
A little over four years later on Sept 30, 1921, area businessmen and others formed the Charleston Lions Club. At first, a single district covered the whole state. By 1941 and 42, two districts, designated W and V, formed. The clubs continued to expand. In 1947-48, the W, V, and A districts formed. Another surge in the 1950s inspired a reorganization into four, styled L, I, O, and N.
All seven Harrison County clubs are in District I, which extends from Harrison in the west to Jefferson in the east and from Preston and Monongalia in the north to Pendleton and Randolph to the south.
The 20th century saw the rise of clubs such as the Lions across the nation. Cities and downs formed Rotary and other similar clubs while the countryside, particularly Virginia and West Virginia, saw the creation of Ruritans. All such clubs exist to make their communities better places by using the talent and effort of those who volunteer.
David Minor serves as the face of the Shinnston Lions Club, though he will be quick to tell anyone that all the organization’s accomplishments require a team effort. That dedication to community had its roots in small town values and military service.
Minor’s service as a Navy officer and photographer took place in the heart of the Vietnam War era, between 1969 and 1973. Serving in that capacity in those years gave him important pillars of perspective, that every individual who serves honorably in the military deserves thanks and recognition, whatever his or her role.
In a recent meeting, Tom Willis from the American Legion thanked Minor for leading one of the Shinnston Lions’ Club’s most visible efforts, the annual parade that brings thousands to the streets of the city to honor America’s veterans.
That effort extends to projects held all year long, including an April fundraiser to help to pay the cost of the 2024 Honor Flight from Clarksburg to Washington DC.
From the international organization down to each club, the Lions have worked to bring improved sight to over half a billion people globally. This includes eye testing, cataract surgeries, the providing of essential medication, and also recycling eyeglasses. Though the “SightFirst” program launched in 1990, the example of Helen Keller inspired this work almost a century ago.
Lions Club members see themselves as “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.”
In Shinnston, part of this effort has taken the form of regular eye screenings at Lincoln Middle School. In 2023, the club arranged for the testing of 120 students with 18 referred to an eye specialist for further care and treatment. Minor explained in 2023 that “it’s a quick test to see if a child might need glasses to help them in their studies. We do these tests every year in Shinnston and other Lions Clubs do the other schools in the county.”
Statewide, the Lions have partnered with West Virginia University, the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, and many others to promote pathways to better sight.
The Lions also collectively remain focused on developing the next generation of active and involved community members, some of whom will hopefully emerge as leaders. One of the programs offered included a $1,700 travel grant for students in grades 10 through 12 to help to defer the costs of a four week cultural exchange experience that could take students to different countries in Europe, Asia, South America, or Australia.
The 21st century has seen a significant decline in direct community involvement, particularly in service club membership. West Virginia’s Lions Club organization had to combine the former N and O districts into a C in recent decades, reflecting the decline in size.
Though smaller, the clubs strive to maintain the same level of service engagement, but all need new membership to maintain. Current membership, especially in leadership roles, continues to decline in many areas.
That said, young people do seek out pathways to help their community. Shinnston, for example, has seen Lincoln High School’s DECA club take an important role in helping to develop and promote the Rail Trail and its amenities. More than ever, the motivation for the young to do good for the community needs to connect itself with the service clubs, such as the Lions, who have been engaging in positive projects for a century or more.
Clubs such as the Lions provide support to communities that other non profits, government organizations, and businesses cannot provide with the same level of efficient or effective service.
And Shinnston’s Lions Club, as well as the network of organizations with which it works, deserves praise for all of the work they do.