CELEBRATING 85 YEARS — In its 85th year, the Follansbee Lions Club has served the community in various ways. Gathering for a recent membership drive were, from left: Bill Snyder, Jamye Dixon, Terry Snyder, President Carl Martino, Emmett Lantz, Rachel Bennett and Josh Dixon. -- Warren Scott

FOLLANSBEE — The Follansbee Lions Club has reached a milestone this year, with the group celebrating 85 years of service to the community. Club members reflected on the positive experiences they’ve had during a membership drive held July 11 at Follansbee Park.

It was a fitting setting, as the shelter was sponsored by the club years ago — one of many projects supported by the club to benefit local residents and people around the world. Club President Carl Martino has been a member for more than 40 years. He recalled as a youth attending talent shows staged by the group at the St. Francis Center, and wine tasting fundraisers members brought homemade wine. He said in addition to providing an opportunity to help others, membership in a civic group earned a certain level of respect from others.

“When we grew up, it was a good thing to put on your resume,” said Martino.

Emmett Lantz, a Follansbee Lion for 50 years, recalled the club selling brooms and Christmas trees to benefit civic causes, at Pappas’ Hardware Store, and selling snow cones at Follansbee Garibaldi Days, an annual street fair held by Italian-American members of the city’s Garibaldi Lodge for many years. Lantz said he’s made a lot of friends through the club.

George Mazezka, a member for 46 years, said, “We had so many fundraisers, you wouldn’t believe. We sold brooms, light bulbs, Life Savers.” He said old-timers in the club spoke of hosting circuses at the Follansbee High School football field or a local baseball field.

Mazezka noted he was part of an effort more than 20 years ago to include women among the club’s membership, noting in those days, it was common for men and women to be involved in separate civic groups. The Follansbee Civic League and the 20th Century Woman’s Club were popular groups for women.

“There were a couple of us who tried to have women join the Lions, but it was turned down,” said Mazezka. But as times changed, women have been welcomed and have become active members of the club. Among them is Terry Snyder, its secretary-treasurer, and a past Lions District 29 lieutenant governor.

Snyder was a member of another Lions club, serving as district zone chair when first attending a Follansbee Lions’ meeting.

She said she quickly realized that because of the way she spells her name, the group’s members were expecting a man.

“I walked into that room and they just shut up,” said Snyder. She and her husband, Bill, who were members of other area Lions Clubs, were among a handful of Lions who worked to revive the club years ago, when it was nearly inactive. Bill noted they joined the New Cumberland Lions Club because the international organization aided his wife at a crucial time.

“The Lions helped us when Terry needed eye surgery and had no insurance,” he said, noting financial assistance through the international foundation made it possible. There are about 48,000 Lions Clubs, and an estimated 1.4 million members. During a Lions International convention held in Cedar Point, Ohio, in 1925, Helen Keller, an advocate for the disabled who was blind and deaf, challenged members of the international organization to become “knights of the blind.” Since then, chapters throughout the world have engaged in sight-related projects, collecting used eyeglasses to be recycled for those who can’t afford them and sponsoring free vision screenings for children.

Terry noted a device known as a Spot Machine is used to test children’s vision. The machine costs thousands of dollars but alerts parents if a follow-up with an eye doctor is recommended. She said Medicaid often covers eyeglasses, but those unable to afford them may apply for financial assistance through the Lions Club International Foundation.

“I’m filling out papers for seven cases now,” said Snyder, who added the program doesn’t provide for more expensive glasses, but covers a wide selection available through a local eye doctor. She noted boxes for the recycled eyeglass campaign can be found at the Follansbee Library, Brooke County Senior Center and local pharmacies.

The Follansbee Lions are proud of other projects, including a food drive for the Follansbee R.E.A.C.H. Program, a local food pantry in November and a toy drive for the Tri-State Marines’ Toys for Tykes campaign at Christmas.

“Everything we collect stays here to help local residents,” said Terry.

Follansbee Lion Jamye Dixon noted there are plans for a Basket Bash in which attendees may purchase chances for assorted gift baskets. She, her husband, Chuck, and son, Josh, are among the club’s newest members, having joined a couple years ago.

In recent years, the Follansbee Lions have hosted blood drives conducted by Vitalant, a nonprofit blood collection organization.

The next drive will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Follansbee Community House. Donors to Vitalant blood drives through July 31 will be entered into a drawing to win up to $30,000 toward the purchase of a vehicle.

Rachel Bennett, an account manager for Vitalant, said walk-ins are welcome but appointments are encouraged by visiting vitalant.org or calling (412) 736-5506.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)