Need Assistance? Email Us : info@franklinlionsclub.org
Franklin, North Carolina Lions Club
About Us
Beginning in 1917, the association of Lions Clubs has provided millions of people with the opportunity to give something back to their communities. The International Association of Lions Clubs began as the dream of Chicago businessman Melvin Jones. He believed that local business clubs should expand their horizons from purely professional concerns to the betterment of their communities and the world at large. Jones' group, the Business Circle of Chicago, agreed.
After contacting similar groups around the United States, an organizational meeting was held on June 7, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The new group took the name of one of the invited groups, the "Association of Lions Clubs," and a national convention was held in Dallas, Texas, USA in October of that year. A constitution, by-laws, objects and code of ethics were approved. Among the objects adopted in those early years was one that read, "No club shall hold out the financial betterment of its members as its object."
This call for unselfish service to others remains one of the association's main tenets. Just three years after its formation, the association became international when the first club in Canada was established in 1920. Major international expansion continued as clubs were established, particularly throughout Europe, Asia and Africa during the 1950s and '60s. In 1925, Helen Keller addressed the Lions international convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA. She challenged Lions to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness." From this time, Lions clubs have been actively involved in service to the blind and visually impaired.
Chartered in 1939, the Franklin Lion's Club has proudly carried on the vision of Lionism for over 80 years
If you need eyecare and can't afford an examination or glasses, we may be able to help. Simply CLICK HERE for additional information.
Franklin Lions Club Monthly Meetings
The Franklin Lions meet the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Louisa Chapel Methodist Church Fellowship Hall at 6:00pm.
Directions: take 64 West. Louisa Chapel is the first left after you go through stoplight at Sloan Road. Stay on Louisa Chapel Road. When you pass September Embers Dr. on left church is on left ... 470 Louisa Chapel Road.
Franklin Lions Club Distinctions
The Franklin, North Carolina Lion's have had three District Governor's come from the club:
1952 - Helronymous Bueck, 1967 - Howard Haithcock, 1996 - Stan Schwartz
2023 - Howard Haithcock Inducted into NC Lions Hall of Frame
Melvin Jones Fellows
Bette Beaman
Dwight Beaman*
Ruth Hensz-Stilwell
Dave Jones
Bill Mason*
Robert Rogers*
Michaelle Sciberras
Jim Williams
Richard Young
William L. Woolard
Partner In Service
Ruth Hensz-Stilwell
Tony Angel
Dave Jones
Sid L. Scruggs III
Beacon of Hope
Tony Angel
Jack Stickley Fellows
Howard Haithcock*
Rick Norton
Ruth Hensz-Stilwell
Richard Young
Bill Mason*
Jim Williams
Verlin Swafford*
Donnie Wallace
Bob Rogers*
Bette Lou Schwartz
Bill Martin*
Michaelle Sciberras
Tony Angel (2)
Gene Cocke*
Dave Jones
Judy Burnett
(*Deceased)
Feel the Pride
We are all called to serve our fellow man. Some Lions are motivated to serve those in need in our local community, some are called to serve in the broader community of Western NC and beyond. Whatever your calling, we are glad that you are a Lion and have the opportunity to serve.
We invite you to join with us and become a member of your nearest lions club. You can learn more by clicking here.
"You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else."
Melvin Jones, Lions Club Founder
Club Presidents
1939 - Thomas Angel
1940 - Frank M. Bloxham
1941 - T.D. Bryson, Jr.
1942 - Claude Bolton
1943 - Charles Dowdle
1944 - Claude Bolton
1945 - Willard Pendergrass
1946 - Mac Ray Whitaker
1947 - Robert Gaines
1948 - Pritchard Smith
1949 - Frank B. Duncan
1950 - Paul H. Russell
1951 - Willam G. Crawford
1952 - J. Frank Martin
1953 - Ken Hooker
1954 - Elbert Angel
1955 - Jack Angel
1956 - Robert Korti
1957 - G. Wayne Faulkner
1958 - Verlon Swafford
1959 - Harry Corbin
1960 - Prelo Dryman
1961 - J.L. Hill
1962 - James C. Crisp
1963 - Bob Corbin
1964 - Howard S. Haithcock
1965 - L.C. Howard, Jr.
1966 - Glenn Clark
1967 - Merritt Fouts
1968 - Joe DeBlaker
1969 - David Simpson
Club Presidents
1970 - Paul Vance
1971 - Clyde Poole
1972 - Roy Cunningham
1973 - Rufus Bardinelli
1974 - Grady Colaninger
1975 - Fred Foster
1976 - Joe R. Morris
1977 - Ken Jones
1978 - Ed Orr
1979 - Willis Teem
1980 - James Parrish
1981 - James Williams
1982 - Doug Huntley
1983 - Aaron Buchanan
1984 - Pete Haithcock
1985 - Doug Tallent
1986 - Harold Huscusson
1987 - Gene Cocke
1988 - Terry Womack
1989 - Rick Norton
1990 - Carl Gruber
1991 - Randy Gregory
1992 - Bill Mason
1993 - Joe Collins
1994 - Stan Schwartz
1995 - Donnie Wallace
1996 - Dwight Beaman
1997 - Ben Swafford
1998 - Bill Davidson
1999 - Ruth Hensz-Stilwell
Club Presidents
2000 - Roger Stewart
2001 - Bette Beaman
2002 - JoAnne Stewart
2003 - Al Grant
2004 - John Fay
2005 - Brian Hylton
2006 - Dave Jones
2007 - Bill Reesey
2008 - Tony Angel
2009 - Tony Angel
2010 - Richard Young
2011 - Dave Jones
2012 - Ruth Hensz-StilWell
2013 - Pete Haithcock
2014 - Ellen McCall
2015 - Jason Arnold
2016 - John Hamlin
2017 - Sue Kozma
2018 - Judy Burnett
2019 - Jason Arnold
2020 - Ruth Hensz-Stilwell
2021 - Ruth Hensz-Stilwell
2022 - Ruth Hensz-Stilwell
2023 - Dave Jones