What an amazing group of ladies! I sat in on one of The Syracuse Lady Lions monthly dinner meetings a couple of weeks ago and felt the love they have for the community. One member, Colleen Dahl Thurgood, spoke of a recent day that a young boy from a local elementary school came up to her and said he loves her and gave her a big hug. She has been helping him with his reading this year and they have become good friends. Responses like this are what keep these Lady Lions volunteering and looking for ways to serve.
At each meeting they have someone come talk about different groups that their club is serving in the area or potential service opportunities. At the meeting I attended, Shari Barton talked about justserve.org a website listing service opportunities that are in need of volunteers. I was brought to tears by the stories that were told of families wanting to give back or even teach their children about service. These families logged on to justserve.org and were able to find ways their family could give back to the community.
The Syracuse Lady Lions Club is celebrating it’s 55th anniversary this year. It was organized in 1963 with 24 members, three of which are still active in the club: Beth Barber, Phyllis Cook and Colleen Thurgood.
One of the original purposes of the club was to “take an active interest in the civic, business, social and moral welfare of the community.” Membership was originally filled by the wives of members of the Syracuse Lions Club. The organization has evolved and now welcomes anyone who is interested in serving the community.
The Syracuse Lady Lions organization sponsored the first Miss Syracuse Pageant and did so for many years. Members have also served the Davis County Children’s Justice Center, Davis Hospital and Medical Center, Syracuse City, BeeHive Homes of Syracuse, Raintree Senior Living and various elementary schools in the area. They have provided supplies to these school as well as serve as reading tutors.
The club has sponsored the heart of Syracuse and spirit of Syracuse awards in conjunction with the Miss Syracuse Pageant. The Syracuse Lady Lions have also made donations to the Syracuse Museum, American Red Cross, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Puppies in Training for Seeing Eye Dogs, Camp Utada for diabetic children and the Scleroderma Foundation, among others.
The club holds one fundraiser per year. This year a raffle will be held for two handmade quilts. Tickets will be sold at a booth and at various activities during Heritage Days for $5 each or three for $10. There will be two separate drawings for the quilts. The purchase of one ticket will get two chances to win.
about the
lady lions
The Syracuse Lady Lions meet on the second Thursday of each month, March through December. There are currently 16 members. Anyone interested in joining or attending a meeting should contact Colleen Thurgood at 801-825-1752 or Yvonne Rentmeister at 801-776-5681 or Carole McLaughlin at 801-200-2135.