A Message from the Club President

The Somers Lions Club was chartered in 1966.  Over the past forty-one years, the club has been involved in many projects that have benefited the citizens of Somers and local charity organizations.

The Somers Lions Club has helped our town and local school district by funding scholarships to four graduating seniors every year.  We helped to put the first set of lights on our high school football field back in the 1980’s.  We have run the Somers Lions Club Track Meet, one of the largest scholastic track meets in New York State for over fifteen years.  We have helped in the construction of many of the facilities in Reis Park, the town park in Somers.  Among these projects is the park pavilion, the band stand and the kiddie park.

For the past eight years, the Somers Lions Club has spearheaded the Independence Day Celebration in Somers, providing food, games, and entertainment for all the town residents.  Recently, we revived the old tradition of the Independence Day Parade in town as part of the day’s festivities.  Activities were planned throughout the day for residents of all ages.  The culminating event of the day is always the terrific fireworks display just after nightfall.

Every year, the Somers Lions Club donates money to many local charities.  Some of the local charities we contribute to are The Friends of Karen, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Blythedale Children’s Hospital, and Vacation Camp for the Blind.  The Somers Lions Club also contributes to Camp Sunshine, local Scout groups, Somers Senior Citizens, and the YMCA just to mention a few.

During the course of the year, the Somers Lions Club runs several fund-raising events.  Every spring, our Pancake Breakfast is always a big hit.  We share the proceeds of the breakfast with the Somers Baseball, Softball and Lacrosse recreation programs.  Spring time also sees the Lions Club Carnival take place.  This event is always a big hit with the younger residents of Somers!

For many years, our biggest fund-raiser has been our annual Corvette Raffle.  Each year, the club raffles off a new Corvette.  The winner can either take the car, or a cash prize.  The lucky ticket is always drawn at our Independence Day Gala.

In June, the club holds its annual Scholarship Golf Outing.  As mentioned earlier, the proceeds of this event provides four scholarships for deserving students in our local high schools in Somers.

In the fall, the Lions help to make the town’s Red Ribbon Kick-off Day a success by providing the food and the “chefs” for this awareness raising event.  The proceeds of the sale of food is donated to the Red Ribbon Committee.

In addition, our club takes on special fund-raising or hands-on projects to help local residents in need.  In the past year, we built a handicapped ramp for a town resident who is confined to a wheelchair. 

This past fall we completed a year long project to help the Andersen family after the loss of their husband and father, Glenn.  He was killed in a motorcycle accident.  Unfortunately he left behind a wife and eight children in need of assistance.  The Lions Club was asked to help raise money for the family, as well as to finish off some much needed work on the house before winter set in.  Along with other community groups, the Somers Lions Club raised enough money through a raffle and other events to satisfy the family’s mortgage.  The Club enlisted contributions of building materials from several generous businesses in and around Somers, and then provided the man power to get the needed repairs done.

I am proud to be the president of such a fine civic minded organization as the Somers Lions Club, and invite you to attend a meeting to see what we’re all about.  If you have a mind to do some good for the community in which you live, the Somers Lions Club is for you.  We will continue to help those in need not only in our own community, but elsewhere as well.

Regards,

Rick Bridgham, President

Somers Lions Club