Malad’s Lions Club was recognized as the oldest chapter in Idaho at a public event last week.  The event, which featured the participation of a number of national Lions Club figures, was a momentous kick off to the club’s second century of service.  Lions Don Schwartz, Ed Thorpe, and Thayne Barker were all awarded the President’s Certificate of Appreciation, which is given to recognize those who distinguish themselves for “exemplary service that significantly strengthens their community or the Association by being personally involved in club service projects.” 

Don Schwartz, the President of the Malad Lions Club, began the meeting by welcoming the audience, and repeating Helen Keller’s famous exhortation to group to become “knights for the blind” and do whatever they could to aid those in need of vision assistance.

The Malad Lions Club has been determined to be the oldest in the state, with its founding in 1923.  While there are Lions Clubs with earlier incorporation dates, the local chapter is clearly one of the oldest in the west.  

Mike Ferguson, Council Chair of District 39 said “I’ve been involved in a lot of events, but I thought the Malad club was only a legend.  I brought you a plaque, and it says ‘Malad Lions Club 1923-2023, Idaho’ Oldest Club’.”  

Cliff Hart, district governor of the Lions club, also spoke.  He explained that the membership of the Lions had been declining for a number of years.  “My slogan, when I took over as district governor, was ROAR into action.  R is for ‘recognize what’s going on in your community.’   ‘O stands for organize.  Every club I’ve visited has one person with great ideas, but they don’t know how to put these into action.  Usually there’s a person, most of the time it’s a woman, who knows how to make those things happen.’  ‘A stands for Action.  So you’re going to act upon it.’  ‘R stands for Reward, so that’s what you’re going to get involved for.  It makes you feel good.  It makes you feel young.’”

Past International Director of the Lions Club Sam Lindsey was the featured speaker, from Waco, Texas.  Lindsey was elected to the board in 2016.  In the course of a very entertaining and rousing speech, Lion Sam extolled the virtues of the Lions Club and the Malad Chapter.  “I guess I should say ‘howdy’,” he started.  “Howdy!” the crowd responded.  After confessing to not knowing how to pronounce Malad properly until he met Don Schwartz, Lion Sam spoke about his history with the organization and charitable work.  

“I had been in Idaho, but just fleetingly.  The prettiest drive I ever had was from Missoula, Montana to Sun Valley.  I love this place.”

“This club has accomplished some amazing things in its history,” he said, pulling out a sheet to read from.  “Well, now I’m showing my age,” he said, pulling out reading glasses to general laughter.  “This club has served its community in so many ways,” Lindsey said.  “From the very beginning, it has been a part of what makes this town a town.”  Lindsey recounted the many things that the Lions have done over the last 100 years, including the building of an ice skating rink, hospital, Miss Malad contest, street signs, the swimming pool, the pavilion, and a host of other events and services supported by the club.

The International President’s Certificate of Appreciation was given by Lindsey from the International organization to Ed Thorpe, who is the longest serving Lion in Malad club, Thayne Barker, and Don Schwartz.  The men were also given a presidential pin.