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The Alpena Lions Club is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a weekend celebration Oct. 16-17. The weekend will include a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club, a community celebration, and a banquet.
Chartered on Nov. 22, 1926, the Alpena Lions Club embraced service to the community from its very beginning. From building tennis courts in its first year to currently adopting a city park, the club has worked at helping the community. Additionally, the club embraces the missions of Lions International: vision, hearing, environment, pediatric cancer, diabetes, hunger, humanitarian services and disaster relief.
“We are excited about the upcoming anniversary celebration," club President Audra Smith said. "We wouldn’t be able to do the service we do in Alpena without the support and generosity of the community, and we can’t wait to celebrate with our friends and neighbors.”
Past International President Brian Sheehan will be the keynote speaker at the Saturday banquet. Sheehan, from Bird Island, Minnesota, served as president of the organization in 2022-23. He is a popular former international president with a dynamic personality and love of service.
"To be able to have a past international president come to Alpena and celebrate with our club is an honor," Past District Governor Dave Zeller said. "Brian is an engaging and inspiring speaker, and I look forward to seeing him here. He exemplifies our motto, We Serve."
Zeller, who has been a Lions member for 50 years, is one of 10 men and one woman from the Alpena Lions Club to as district governor. The club has many members who give the club a multi-generational legacy of service.
The weekend will kick off on Friday, Oct. 16, with a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club at the Friendship Room. The family-friendly fundraiser will have a Disco Night theme and will aim to be fun for everyone.
The club will hold a community celebration at McRae Park on Saturday with fun and games. The Lions also will conduct KidSight vision screening and team up with the Boys & Girls Club for a service project at the park.
"Teaming up with Boy & Girls Club was a natural for us," Past District Governor Steve Murch said. "We're both celebrating 100 years in Alpena this year, and both organizations are trying to make a positive difference in our community."
The festivities will conclude Saturday at the APlex with the banquet to celebrate the club's 100th anniversary. In addition to Sheehan, the Besser Male Chorus will perform. The gala begins at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6. The cost is $45 per person. To register for the banquet, visit Friends of the Alpena Lions on Facebook, or mail checks to: Alpena Lions Club, P.O. Box 324, Alpena, MI 49707. The deadline is Oct. 1.
For more information, contact Murch at Steve Murch49707@gmail.com.